Aero Development Japan Co., Ltd. has recently raised funds for the Series A round, and has been using the funds to develop gas since its inception. The company has started the development of a mass-produced hybrid power system that combines turbine power and a generator.
The company has welcomed Mr. Toyohiko Ota, who has been leading the development of jet and rocket engines at a major Japanese aircraft engine manufacturer in the development of mass-produced aircraft, as CTO. ADJ aims to start selling hybrid power systems and drones equipped with the hybrid power system by 2022, and will start recruiting candidates for collaborative partners in drone services.
- Challenges for the large drone market
Until now, most drones have a total weight of 25 kg or less, and their applications have been limited to surveying, aerial photography, and inspection. Under such circumstances, expectations are rising for the practical application of large drones that enable heavy-duty and long-distance transportation, and for flying cars (hereinafter referred to as “UAM” = Urban Air Mobility), mainly in Europe and the United States. The trend has spread to Japan, and it is said that in 2022, legislation will be developed at once to realize the flight of large drones over non-visual and manned areas.
On the other hand, the power source is said to be the bottleneck for the practical application of large drones. Most existing drones use lithium-ion batteries, but the current lithium-ion battery’s power generation per unit weight (kWh / kg) is not large enough for large drone applications, and we are trying to extend the flight time. Then, the payload (loading weight) becomes smaller, and if you try to make the payload larger, the flight time will become shorter. In order for heavy drones to fly for a long time, it is required to develop a power source that generates more electricity per unit weight.
- ADJ hybrid power unit and the reason for its founding
Therefore, ADJ is developing a hybrid power unit that combines a gas turbine and a small generator. This approach of driving the generator by rotating the gas turbine at high speed (90-100,000 revolutions per minute) can increase the amount of electricity generated per unit weight. It is calculated that the ADJ hybrid power unit can exceed 1kWh / kg, while the amount of power generated per unit weight of a general lithium-ion battery is about 0.2 to 0.25kWh / kg (our estimate). We aim to achieve both flight time and payload with the amount of power generated per unit weight, which is about five times that of a lithium-ion battery.
The founding of ADJ was triggered by Tanabe, the representative of the Bank of Japan, who had a sense of crisis in creating Japanese industry while conducting an industrial survey at the Bank of Japan. While Japan has good technologies that shine brightly in various places, I felt a sense of crisis in the reality that a major industry that would become a pillar of the country has not been created since the automobile industry. While conducting various surveys, he realized the growth potential of the large drone market and the need for technological innovation in the power source part, and founded ADJ with all his might. From its founding to the present, we are advancing technological development and business development while running around Japan.
- About the invitation of Mr. Ota and the start of development of mass-produced hybrid power system
Since its founding, ADJ has been developing prototypes of hybrid power systems, but in June 2021, a hybrid power unit combining three Austrian 10kW gas turbines and a generator, and a motor for a propeller compatible with AC200V high voltage. Conducted a levitation test of a drone with a total weight of approximately 80 kg equipped with a hybrid power system that combines ESC. We have successfully confirmed the levitation performance and succeeded in developing a prototype.
Aiming for domestic mass production of the hybrid power system that has succeeded in developing a prototype, we will promote the original development of a gas turbine generator, which is indispensable for achieving the target power generation amount of 1 kW / kg per unit weight. Invited Mr. Ota, who has design technology for high-speed rotating aircraft, as CTO in development. We have started the development of an actual machine for mass production, which is superior in power generation per unit weight and durability compared to the prototype. CTO Ota has a remarkable track record in the aerospace field, such as the development of turbopumps for the H-II rocket engine, and has a strong network with aerospace-related business companies.
Utilizing the knowledge of CTO Ota and the know-how cultivated in the development of prototypes, the team will work together to develop mass-produced hybrid power systems and hybrid power drones by the end of 2022. increase.
The target specifications of mass-produced machines are assumed to be as follows.
・ Total takeoff and landing weight: 150kg
・ Payload: 50kg
・ Flight time: 1 hour
Source: Press Release