Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Zipline, launched automated, on-demand deliveries of medical supplies across Japan's Goto Islands. Under this partnership, Toyota Tsusho is using Zipline's instant logistics system to make routine, commercial long-distance drone deliveries in Japan. This marks Zipline's entry into Japan and its first-ever strategic operational partnership, in which Toyota Tsusho, via Sora-iina, a new subsidiary company created to conduct these operations, will manage its own distribution center and flight services from Fukue Port.

Sora-iina's Goto distribution center will be the first in Asia and 14th in the world to operate Zipline's autonomous instant logistics technology, as well as the first in the world to be operated by a partner. Utilizing Zipline's autonomous aircraft and end-to-end logistics technology, Sora-iina will distribute medical supplies to pharmacies and hospitals across the Goto Islands, including to remote and isolated areas. Initial autonomous aerial deliveries will include beyond visual line of site operations up to 40 kilometers roundtrip, and enable on-demand access to hundreds of medical products.

The partnership also has the potential to expand to both new communities and use cases in the future.