Send the drone's unique ID, which must be registered and posted according to the Aviation Law, to achieve remote confirmation

Mass production of "remote ID device" for drones begins

Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. (President: Toshihiro Kuriyama, Headquarters: Tokyo, hereinafter “Alps Alpine”) has developed a wireless transmitter “Remote ID Device” that meets the standards set by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. It can transmit the unique ID (registration number) and location information of drones as identification information via radio waves. With the implementation of the revised Aeronautical Law on June 20, 2022,*1 which requires drones to be registered and have unique IDs, Alps Alpine will begin mass production of this product in late May ahead of other companies. This product has been confirmed to be adopted by EAMS ROBOTICS Co., Ltd. (President: Eiji Soya, Headquarters: Fukushima Prefecture, hereinafter “EAMS ROBOTICS”), a domestic industrial drone manufacturer in Japan. Alps Alpine will also use its knowledge and business relationships in the drone industry to sell this product to other drone manufacturers through EAMS ROBOTICS. Alps Alpine will also promote the development of this product for mobile devices other than drones, and strive to contribute to a future in which people and robots can move more conveniently, safely, and securely in a society with a declining birthrate and an aging population.

Development Background

As Japan's declining birthrate and aging population progresses, the number of people aged 15 to 64 who are engaged in labor has decreased significantly. According to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications※2, as of October 1, 2021, Japan's working-age population was 74,504,000, a decrease of 584,000 from the previous year, accounting for 59.4% of the total population, a record low, and this trend is expected to continue to accelerate in the future. The decline in the working-age population will have various social impacts, among which the economic recession caused by insufficient labor is one of the most worrying issues. In recent years, the government, companies and other sectors have been creating an environment that is convenient for the elderly and women to work, and have tried every means to increase the labor force. However, in the face of the continuous decline in the working-age population, it is imperative to further strengthen the labor force.

As one of the measures to make up for the shortage of labor, the application of drones is highly anticipated. This trend is particularly evident in remote areas, where there is a great demand for short-distance logistics transportation to connect the "last mile" from distribution outlets in various places to the final delivery point. In addition, drones can also be used to inspect various types of equipment such as infrastructure in high places and mountainous areas with operational risks and inefficiencies, enabling safe and efficient unmanned operations. On the other hand, there are also operational issues such as the risk of drones colliding with each other during flight and the difficulty in locating and recovering them after they fall.

To solve these problems, the revised version of the Aviation Law came into effect on June 20, 2022. The law stipulates that drones with a takeoff weight of more than 100g must be registered on the "Drone Registration System (DIPS-REG)" operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the "registration number" that can be obtained after registration must be posted on the aircraft. In addition, since drones are flying in the air, it is impossible to confirm them on the ground if they are just posted on the aircraft like a car license plate, so they must also be equipped with a "remote ID" to send information such as the registration number via radio waves during flight.

Development content

Alps Alpine has developed a "remote ID device" that complies with the standards set by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. This device transmits the drone's unique ID (registration number) and location information as identification information via radio waves. This product can be retrofitted to drones, allowing existing drones currently in use by customers to comply with the standards of the Aviation Law.

This product uses the built-in GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to identify the location of the machine, and uses the module that supports Bluetooth5.0 Low Energy Long Range developed by our company to send the registration number, successfully achieving a practical communication distance of more than 1,500m. The ID can be obtained and confirmed remotely using a dedicated application software. In addition, the pressure sensor developed by our company is used to adapt to the pressure altitude. The housing size of this product is W60×H30×D18mm, and although it has a built-in lithium-ion battery, it weighs only about 33g, making it small and light. In addition, this product uses the proprietary technology accumulated in the automotive business and has high reliability that meets the IP54 dust and water resistance standards. In addition, it can also be expanded by connecting external devices to the USB port. In addition, through future software upgrades, the function can be expanded using the registration number-free communication technology.

from now on

Alps Alpine will first seize the opportunity of the expanding application prospects of drones and cooperate with EAMS ROBOTICS, a domestic industrial drone manufacturer in Japan, to promote industrial drones through the company. In the future, as the process of declining birthrates and aging accelerates and the sharing economy develops, Alps Alpine will also consider applying this product to various mobile objects that can remotely identify location information through inherent IDs, such as electric strollers for the elderly equipped with the "obstacle detection unit※3" that our company is developing, and shared bicycles. In a society with declining birthrates and aging populations, Alps Alpine strives to contribute to a society where people and robots coexist and mobility becomes more convenient, safe, and secure.

※1 Drone Registration Portal Site (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

※2 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the "Population Estimates (as of October 1, 2021 (Reiwa 3))" on April 15, 2022

※3 On June 16, 2021, Alps Alpine's obstacle detection unit was announced to be used in Fukushin Electric's next-generation

Electric cart 'POLCAR[SPX-1]'"

【Main specifications】

Product Name "Remote ID Device"

Dimensions (W×H×D) 60mm×30mm×18mm

Main body weight: about 33g

Interface USB Type C

Working temperature -10～60℃

Power supply voltage +5.0V

Working humidity below 85℃ (no condensation)

Dust and water resistance equivalent to IP54

Communication method: Bluetooth5.0 LE Class1.5