NAGOYA, Japan — Toyota Motor-affiliated supplier Jtekt has funded a venture developing a drone for airlifting cargo to hard-to-reach areas and disaster sites.
Prodrone, based in Nagoya, is working on a “flying minitruck” slated to carry 50 kilograms for 50 kilometers. The size of Jtekt’s capital infusion was not disclosed.
The duo will develop aircraft equipped with Jtekt lithium-ion capacitors — miniature power storage devices offering fast recharging and discharging as well as a long service life.