Remember the time we told you that Sony is entering the drone business with Aerosense. Well, the newly-formed company has released a video of its first two prototypes in action now.
Intended expressly for business professionals, Aerosense’s DTO1-E prototype looks like a miniature plane, but it can take off and land vertically just like any drone. It can carry objects weighing up to 22 pounds, and fly for more than two hours at a maximum speed of 106 miles an hour.
Then there’s the AS-MCO1-P quad-copter. It is much smaller and lighter. It is also been loaded up with a camera, GPS and navigation system.
Aerosense does not make clear whether the DTO1-E is equipped with the same features or whether the two drones will serve different functions.
In case you missed it the first time, Aerosense is a joint venture between Sony and Tokyo-based startup ZMP Inc., which specializes in autopilot technology. The venture is part of Sony’s efforts to move beyond its core consumer products into enterprise markets.
Drones have also become a top area of research and development among Internet and technology companies, including Amazon.com Inc. and Google Inc., which are studying using them for package delivery. Hisashi Taniguchi, chief executive of Aerospace and ZMP, said the company is targeting Y10 billion ($82.6 million) in revenue by 2020. Aerosense will offer services such as inspecting aged infrastructure and surveying land that is difficult to access. The drones would be piloted automatically based on input from users about which areas they want surveyed.
“By making it automated, drones will be considerably safer because many of accidents today are caused by human errors,” Mr. Taniguchi said at a news conference.
