ACSL Ltd. announced that it will begin accepting orders for three types of industrial drones customized based on ACSL-PF2, a domestically produced mid-size platform drone, to make it easier to use and more secure, as "PF2-AE (Advanced Edition)" from August 2022, as described below. ACSL-PF2, a medium-sized platform drone that ACSL has been selling, has been used in various applications such as logistics, disaster monitoring, infrastructure inspection, security/patrol, and surveying, by customizing the drone to meet customer needs. Through repeated proof of concepts with many companies, the challenges and necessary functions and specifications for introducing drones in the logistics, infrastructure inspection, disaster relief, and security/patrol have become clear.

Based on the results and experience gained from the proof of concepts to date, they have decided to develop and market three types of "PF2-AE (Advanced Edition)": "PF2-AE Delivery (logistics)", "PF2-AE Inspection (infrastructure inspection)", and "PF2-AE Disaster Relief /Patrol (disaster/security/patrol)". These products are also equipped with "TAKEOFF", the same GCS as SOTEN small aerial photography drone, as the base station GCS (ground control system) and has an improved UI (user interface) to enable more intuitive operation by the customer. Easier to use: As a medium-sized platform drone, ACSL-PF2 has been considered for use in various applications such as logistics, disaster situation monitoring, infrastructure inspection, security/patrol, and surveying, by customizing the drone to meet customer needs.

In doing so, they have found the following issues. Customers are new to utilizing industrial drones, so they don't know what kind of features and specifications will solve company's problems. Time and cost are required to determine what kind of drone is best, and this is an obstacle to introducing a drone. Customers want to change the camera to use the drone for other purposes, but it takes time and money to customize the camera each time.

UI (user interface) is easier to introduce if it is intuitive even for beginners. ACSL has conducted proof of concepts with many companies, it has become clear what functions and specifications are necessary to promote more social implementation of industrial drones in the logistics, infrastructure inspection, disaster relief, and security/patrol. Based on these achievements and experiences, ACSL announced three customized PF2-AE models: "PF2-AE Delivery (logistics)", "PF2-AE Inspection (infrastructure inspection)", and "PF2-AE Disaster Relief/Patrol (disaster/security/patrol)".

In addition, the base station software, "TAKEOFF", a dedicated application similar to that of SOTEN small aerial photography drone, will enable more intuitive operation, which they believe will help customers solve their problems. More secure: Industrial drones are attracting attention as one of the robotics technologies for solving various social problems associated with Japan's declining birthrate and aging population, and are expected to become more closely related to their daily lives in the future. In September 2020, the Japanese government announced its policy of "limiting procurement to drones with guaranteed security" and "promptly replacing existing drones," which has increased demand for drones with high security. In addition, based on the revision of the Civil Aeronautics Act in 2020, a registration system for unmanned aircraft will begin on June 20, 2022, and the rules surrounding drones are being developed.

PF2-AE is equipped with a flight controller that controls the drone, developed independently by ACSL from the source code level, and encrypts communications to reduce the possibility of information leakage. This makes it a secure and safe drone. It is also equipped with a remote ID module and is compliant with the registration system for unmanned aerial vehicle.

Designed for inspection with common visible and infrared cameras: Feature: Four types of cameras can be mounted (visible camera, infrared camera, visible camera with zoom function, etc.). The same gimbal can be used to replace four different cameras, allowing customers to easily change the gimbal to suit their needs. Equipped with 360° horizontal collision avoidance for safe operation.

PF2-AE Disaster Relief/Patrol (disaster/security/patrol): Capable of out-of-sight flights via LTE communication Feature: Four types of cameras can be mounted as in PF2-AE Inspection (Cameras are available in visible and infrared, as well as a visible camera with zoom function, for a variety of inspection tasks). The same gimbal can be used to replace four different cameras, allowing customers to easily change the gimbal to suit their needs. Video and telemetry transmission using LTE communications to ensure communications even in areas with poor visibility (enables out-of-sight flight).

Equipped with a gimbal that can be attached to 4 interchangeable cameras "PF2-AE Inspection" and "PF2-AE Disaster Relief/Patrol" offer a choice of four different cameras to meet customer needs. The same gimbal can be used for all four types of cameras, allowing customers to easily switch between them according to their needs.