JR East Group to Host "Drone DX CHAMPIONSHIP 2026"

○East Japan Railway Company (President and CEO: Yoichi Kise, hereinafter "JR East") will host the "JR East Group Drone DX CHAMPIONSHIP 2026," a drone race and exhibition event, in collaboration with 15 companies from diverse fields such as railway, energy, telecommunications, and manufacturing.

○This second edition expands the race stage from "railway stations" to "railway infrastructure," introducing drone DX initiatives for railway infrastructure essential for train operations, such as tracks, electrical equipment, and steel towers, through races and exhibitions. Furthermore, other railway operators will participate for the first time, adding excitement to the event.

○This year, the "Railway Tech Skills Cup" will be newly held, where participants will compete in techniques necessary for inspecting railway infrastructure using drones actually used in their operations. The "IBIS2 Master Cup," also held last time, will feature competition in high-level operating skills and speed in confined spaces using the world's smallest inspection drone, IBIS2 Assist. The event has expanded approximately threefold, from 12 teams last time to a total of 32 teams across the two cups, promising a scaled-up race.

1. Event Outline

・Event Name: "JR East Group Drone DX CHAMPIONSHIP 2026"

・Date and Time: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 11:20 - 17:00

・Venue: TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY THE LINKPILLAR 1 B2F

TAKANAWA GATEWAY Convention Center LINKPILLAR Hall A・B and C

・General Admission and Fee: Free, no reservation required

・Event URL: https://www.takanawagateway-city.com/dronedxchampionship/

*Admission may be restricted during crowded times.

*Event content may be changed or canceled without notice due to weather, disasters, etc. on the day.

*Please note that transportation and accommodation expenses will not be covered if the event is canceled.

2. Drone Race Tournament Outline

Two cups will be held, with different race venues, assuming various application scenarios for drone DX initiatives.

(1) "Railway Tech Skills Cup"

Participants will compete in techniques necessary for inspecting railway infrastructure using drones actually used in their operations. A total of 16 teams will participate, comprising 14 departments from JR East promoting drone DX initiatives, plus JR West Group and JR Kyushu.

1. Course Layout

Recreating actual railway infrastructure such as tracks, electrical equipment, and steel towers, participants will compete in operating skills to fly while avoiding obstacles and accurately photographing inspection points.

2. Participating Teams

[Participating Companies/Departments (in no particular order)]

・Kyushu Railway Company

・JR West Rail Tech Co., Ltd.

・East Japan Railway Company

・Power Supply Technology Center

・Kawasaki Power Plant

・Sendai Shinkansen Track Maintenance Technology Center

・Metropolitan Area Shinkansen Power Technology Center

・Tohoku Shinkansen Power Technology Center

・Omiya Electrical Equipment Technology Center

・Takasaki Electrical Equipment Technology Center

・Chiba Civil Engineering Equipment Technology Center

・Sendai Civil Engineering Equipment Technology Center

・Morioka Electrical Equipment Technology Center

・Akita Civil Engineering Equipment Technology Center

・Nagano Branch Railway Business Division Equipment Unit

・Niigata Civil Engineering Equipment Technology Center

・Electrical System Integration Office

3. Drones Used

Each company and department will use drones actually used in their operations for the race.

4. Basic Rules Overview

1. Race Format: Participants fly while photographing inspection points on the course, competing for the total time of two flights.

2. Time Limit: 5 minutes per flight *Rules may be subject to change by the day of the event.

(2) "IBIS2 Master Cup"

With the cooperation of companies from diverse fields such as railway, energy, telecommunications, and manufacturing that use the world's smallest inspection drone "IBIS2" in their operations, a total of 16 teams will participate. The race will feature a fast-paced competition requiring advanced operating skills on a course simulating equipment inspection in confined spaces, with increased difficulty compared to last year.

1. Course Layout

Recreating environments such as inside Yamanote Line trains, ceiling spaces of railway stations, and underground facilities, the course is narrow, dark, and more challenging, requiring more advanced operating skills.

2. Participating Teams

[Participating Companies/Departments (in no particular order)]

・Kyuden Drone Services Co., Inc.

・KDDI Smart Drone Inc.

・Kobe Steel, Ltd.

・Central Security Patrols Co., Ltd.

・Central Japan Railway Company

・Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.

・Joint Team Agri-Know Co., Ltd.