Uhuru Mobile Ordering system selected for drone logistics PoC utilizing high-precision positioning technology

Uhuru Corporation, (“Uhuru”, headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Takashi Sonoda) is pleased to announce that its Uhuru Mobile Ordering system, built by the company’s Sport x IoT business, was employed in a practical realization for drone logistics utilizing high precision positioning technology in a proof of concept (“PoC”) run by SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”) in Susami Town, Wakayama Pref. between August 31 and September 1, 2021.

In this PoC, Susami Kenken Bonito, a specialty of Susami Town, was transported from Mirozu fishing port, where the catch was unloaded, to Susami Roadside Station, a distance of roughly 3 km, via autonomous flight drone, in an attempt to prove that this highly precise autonomous navigation is possible even over a wide area.

Details of the PoC
Period: Tuesday, August 31 – Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Equipment: Eams Robotics LAB6155 Drone (L: 230cm, H: 110cm, Drone Weight: 9kg, Max Payload: 9kg)
Flight Distance: Roughly 3km (Mirozu Port – Susami Roadside Station)
Payload: Roughly 5kg

When customers use their smartphones to order from a restaurant inside Susami Roadside Station, the details of that order are sent to the restaurant staff and to relevant parties at the port, who then prepare the freshly caught fish for transportation to the restaurant by drone. The chefs at the restaurant then prepare the meal for the consumer using fish in the freshest condition. Furthermore, in anticipation of pratical application, Uhuru Mobile Ordering, which can handle online payments via PayPay was employed. In addition to the smartphone being able to handle everything from ordering through payment, the details or the order can also be utilized as data by the restaurant and fishing port.

Based on the results of this PoC, in addition to transporting fresh fish, Susami Town is also planning to consider using drones to deliver disaster/evacuation supplies and medical supplies to people living in remote or mountainous regions. What’s more, guests staying at Fairfield by Marriot Wakayama Susami, the hotel next to Susami Roadside Station, have been able to use Uhuru Mobile Ordering to make online orders of specialty items, food & beverages and other items sold at the Roadside Station’s “Susami Night Market”. (Press Release (Japanese): May 25, 2021)

Uhuru employs the IoT sensing technology and business development know-how it has acquired over the years to promote new business development, harnessing and connecting the data generated in new fields as the times require, such as infectious disease prevention and low-contact payment.

In order to ensure sustainability through the development of these new businesses, Uhuru will contribute to the mid- to long-term regional economic revitalization not only by providing technology, but also through efforts like the formation of citizen develper communities to optimally address each region’s issues, while contributing to solving the real-world problems faced by localities and urban areas throughout the nation.

^* The SoftBank name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries.　
^* Susami Kenken Bonito is a registered trademark of Wakayama Minami Fisheries Cooperative Association.
^* Company names, product names, and service names described in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of our company, each company, or each organization.

About Uhuru Mobile Ordering (aka “Uri-Call” in Japanese) (https://uri-call.uhuru.co.jp/)

Uhuru Mobile Ordering is a system that enables spectators at stadiums and arenas place orders at their seat using a smartphones and have it delivered to their seats or made available for pickup at the vendor. Menus from various vendors are available for not only beer, but include all types of foods and beverages, even merchandise. Usability is a top priority – because there is no app to download, no need to enter membership details or even seat numbers, anyone can easily place an order, which helps improve hospitality and increase revenues. And Uri-Call isn’t just limited to stadiums and arenas – this service can be used at beer gardens, and hotels, on express trains, etc.

About Uhuru Corporation

Based on our corporate philosophy “Create a sustainable society with technology and out of the box thinking”, Uhuru supports and promotes digital transformation (DX) and data utilization by businesses and society. We offer one-stop access to services such as consulting and system development based on our in-house products and solutions for edge devices and the cloud. To go beyond the framework of corporate activities and make DX for localities and industries happen, we are working on R&D in the domain of IoT + blockchain while advocating ways to introduce and standardize a system for trusted data distribution, an essential factor for smart cities and supply chains.

URL: https://uhuru.co.jp/en/