Verification of Drone Operation Model for Real Disasters at Mt. Rokko, Kobe City

Nippon Computer Net Co., Ltd., in collaboration with the Kobe City Crisis Management Bureau, conducted a drone operation demonstration experiment at Mt. Rokko, envisioning utilization during disasters.

This demonstration was not merely a flight verification or logistics experiment, but was conducted with the objective of constructing an operation model that can be directly connected to actual disaster situations. During a disaster, rapid and effective drone operations are required for tasks such as confirming damage status, transporting supplies to isolated areas, understanding road passability, and gathering information necessary for initial response. In this verification, assuming such practical operations, we examined to what extent a reproducible and safe operation system can be built during peaceful times.

Flight route of this verification (Elevation difference approx. 200m)

The feature of this demonstration lies in the fact that it was conducted under more practical operational conditions, assuming Level 3.5 flights. Additionally, under an operation system utilizing LTE signals, we accumulated knowledge from multiple perspectives directly linked to disaster response, such as operational feasibility on-site, safety confirmation methods, how to make decisions to abort operations, and collaboration systems among stakeholders.

One of the main insights gained through the demonstration is that to establish an operation practical for disasters, it is not enough to simply confirm aircraft performance and flight distance; it is necessary to design the operation as an integrated whole, including safety confirmation when crossing roads, preventing vehicle intrusion into landing sites, confirming the entry of third parties, and even emergency abort decisions and evacuation procedures. In particular, when looking toward the possibility of operations with a single-operator system, the importance of organizing judgment criteria and monitoring methods for each site in advance was reaffirmed.

Approx. 10kg of pharmaceuticals

Furthermore, this demonstration revealed that in order to incorporate demonstration results from peaceful times into disaster guidelines, it is essential to organize operational aspects such as judgment criteria for flight feasibility, the flow of dispatch requests, communication systems with related organizations, and standardization of safety measures. Therefore, with a view to reflecting the knowledge gained this time into internal guidelines for the use of drones during disasters for Kobe City, with which we have an "Agreement on the Operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Times of Disaster, etc.", we will continue our considerations.

Nippon Computer Net Co., Ltd. will continue to promote initiatives that connect demonstrations in peaceful times to implementation during disasters through collaboration with local governments and related organizations, contributing to the improvement of regional disaster prevention capabilities.