In brief
NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. says it acquired a stake in Spiral Inc. on August 23 through the NX Global Innovation Fund. Spiral develops indoor drone controls that use programmed routes and wall-mounted QR codes, allowing navigation where radio signals are unavailable. The company is working on applications for recurring inspections at tunnel construction sites and dam corridors, and plans to open a subsidiary in Vienna by the end of 2024. NX Group says it will work with cargo-partner to assist Spiral’s expansion in Europe, including by transporting and storing drone equipment. The investment is also intended to support drone use at logistics sites and help NX Group explore logistics solutions and industry needs through engagement with Europe’s construction sector.
Key takeaways
- NX Group acquired a stake in Spiral through the NX Global Innovation Fund.
- Spiral’s system supports autonomous indoor drone navigation using programmed routes and QR codes.
- Spiral plans to establish an Austrian subsidiary in Vienna by the end of 2024.
- NX Group says it will support Spiral’s overseas expansion and explore drone use in logistics.
August 26, 2024 -- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (President: Satoshi Horikiri) on August 23 acquired a stake in Spiral Inc., which provides non-SLAM (*1) control systems that enable autonomous indoor drone navigation, as an investment by the NX Global Innovation Fund.
■Profile of Spiral
Spiral is a startup company developing the MarkFlex®︎Air (*2) autonomous drone flight control system specialized for indoor use. While ordinary drones use GPS and sensors to navigate while referring to a pre-made map of a facility, drones equipped with Spiral's technology can navigate in areas with no radio reception by following routes input via dedicated software and recognizing QR codes on walls. Spiral is working to utilize this technology for periodic inspections at tunnel construction sites and dam inspection corridors in pursuit of its mission to "become the savior of on-site technicians considering the introduction of autonomous indoor flying drones". Currently targeting Europe with its huge tunnel construction market, the company plans to establish a local subsidiary in Vienna, Austria by the end of 2024.
■Investment background and objectives
The NX Group is striving to enhance corporate value and solve social issues to realize its long-term vision of becoming a "logistics company with a strong presence in the global market".
Through this investment, the NX Group companies will be teaming up with cargo-partner, a Vienna-based company that became a Group subsidiary in January 2024, to support Spiral's overseas expansion by, for example, transporting and delivering drone-related equipment and storing it locally, and to promote the use of drones at logistics sites. The Group will also increase its touchpoints with Europe's construction and construction equipment industries through Spiral, develop new logistics solutions, and uncover new needs.
The NX Group will continue resolving social issues through business co-creation with startup companies in Japan and overseas, and helping realize sustainable societies where all people can lead affluent and fulfilling lives.
■Profile of investee
*1: SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) is a technology that simultaneously estimates where one is on a map (self-position estimation) and ascertains the surrounding environment (environmental mapping).
*2: A system that enables autonomous drone flight by using markers indoors or in other environments where radio waves cannot reach; Spiral has patented the control unit and markers.
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Questions around this news
How does Spiral’s indoor drone navigation system work?
The release says the system guides drones along routes entered through dedicated software and uses QR codes placed on walls to recognize their location. This approach is intended for indoor areas where radio signals are unavailable. Spiral is developing the technology for tasks including periodic inspections at tunnel construction sites and dam inspection corridors.
What support does the NX Group plan to provide Spiral?
The release says Group companies plan to work with cargo-partner to support Spiral’s overseas expansion. Possible assistance includes transporting and delivering drone-related equipment and storing it locally. The Group also aims to encourage drone use at logistics sites and to develop logistics solutions and identify new needs through connections with European construction and construction-equipment industries.
What does SLAM mean in drone navigation?
SLAM stands for simultaneous localization and mapping. It is a method by which a device estimates its position while also building or updating a map of its surroundings. The release contrasts Spiral’s non-SLAM system with drones that use GPS and sensors while referring to a pre-made facility map.
Earlier from NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.
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- NX Group invests in Singapore AI technology startup SWAT MOBILITY
- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS acquires stake in Instalimb, a company expanding its 3D-printed prosthetics business overseas
- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS expands its e-NX Quote digital forwarding service to cover more countries and regions, and adds a CO2 emissions calculation function
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