KDDI to study AI-powered drone deployment in Vietnam and Philippines

KDDI announced it will study AI-powered drone deployment in Vietnam and the Philippines under a Japan-funded initiative announced July 3. The project was selected for the “Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project,” funded by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and will receive subsidies to assess the feasibility of expanding the drone business in both markets. KDDI and KDDI SmartDrone, a joint venture with Japan Airlines, plan to investigate AI drones for disaster prevention as well as for patrolling and inspecting infrastructure facilities. The study will evaluate technical requirements including market conditions, aviation regulations, and communication environments, along with deployment models aimed at improving disaster response and infrastructure maintenance efficiency. Based on the findings, the firms will consider full-scale expansion into Vietnam and the Philippines. The article cites rapid infrastructure demand driven by urbanisation and development, alongside workforce and system-establishment challenges, plus high vulnerability to disasters such as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes.