Aeronext and Industrial Drone Manufacturer MAZEX Enter Strategic Partnership to Accelerate the Social Implementation of Next-Generation AI Agricultural Drones

～Demonstrating Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Operation of Multiple Agricultural Drones Using a National Strategic Special Zone to Advance Smart Agriculture～

Aeronext Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & Group CEO: Keisuke Toji; hereinafter “Aeronext”) today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Mazex Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashiosaka City, Osaka; President: Hiroaki Yoshino; hereinafter “MAZEX”), a leading Japanese industrial drone manufacturer, to jointly develop next-generation AI-powered drone solutions for the agricultural sector.

Through this partnership, Aeronext’s proprietary AI Flight Controller^*1 and Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation^*2 technology will be combined with MAZEX’s extensive expertise in the development, manufacturing, and sales of agricultural drones. Together, the two companies will promote the joint development of next-generation AI agricultural drones capable of safely and efficiently operating multiple aircraft simultaneously.

In addition, the two companies will leverage Japan’s National Strategic Special Zones to jointly conduct demonstration projects and accelerate the real-world deployment of an agricultural drone operation model based on Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation. Through this initiative, they aim to advance smart agriculture^*3 in Japan while also pursuing future business expansion into international markets.

Background and Objectives

Japan’s agricultural industry faces significant challenges, including labor shortages, an aging farming population, and an increasing number of abandoned farmland areas.

Although agricultural drones have become increasingly widespread, current operations generally assume that one operator controls one drone. To improve productivity across large-scale farmland and wide-area operations, a new operational model capable of significantly reducing labor requirements is needed.

Building on the operational expertise it has developed in drone logistics, Aeronext is developing a Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation platform by integrating its AI Flight Controller with a cloud-based operation management system^*4. This platform is designed to enable a single operator to remotely supervise and autonomously manage multiple drones simultaneously.

MAZEX, one of Japan’s leading industrial drone manufacturers, has extensive experience in developing, manufacturing, and marketing agricultural drones for applications such as pesticide and granular fertilizer spraying. The company has established a nationwide sales and support network of more than 100 distributors and has supplied its drones to farmers, agricultural corporations, Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA), and local governments throughout Japan.

By combining their respective strengths, Aeronext and MAZEX aim to address critical challenges facing Japanese agriculture—including labor shortages and the need for greater productivity—while accelerating the social implementation of next-generation AI-powered smart agriculture.

Overview of the Strategic Partnership

1. Agreement Date

July 23, 2026

2. Scope of Collaboration

The two companies will jointly pursue the following initiatives:

• Joint development of next-generation AI agricultural drones compatible with simultaneous remote autonomous multi-drone operation
• Joint development of AI Flight Controller technologies and autonomous flight systems for agricultural drones
• Joint study and development of cloud-based operation management systems and ground control systems designed for multi-drone operations
• Joint marketing and business development targeting agricultural corporations, JA organizations, local governments, and agricultural service providers
• Joint promotional activities through demonstration projects, exhibitions, and seminars
• Evaluation of international business opportunities and overseas market expansion
• Joint research on AI and robotics technologies for agricultural applications 

3. Shared Vision

Through this partnership, Aeronext and MAZEX aim to go beyond the development of agricultural drones alone by realizing smart agricultural operations in which AI coordinates multiple drones while people and autonomous robots work together.

In the future, a single operator will be able to remotely supervise multiple agricultural drones simultaneously, enabling integrated operations including crop protection, seeding, fertilization, and sensing. This approach is expected to significantly improve productivity while reducing labor requirements.

Furthermore, by applying AI to analyze and optimize operational and flight data, the companies aim to implement Physical AI capable of continuously learning and improving autonomously, creating a new production infrastructure for the agricultural industry.

4. Future Plans

Going forward, Aeronext and MAZEX will jointly develop next-generation AI agricultural drones capable of Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation, while promoting demonstration projects and customer development activities across Japan. The two companies will also expand collaboration with agricultural corporations, Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA), local governments, and agricultural service providers.

In addition, Aeronext will leverage the AI operation technologies and cloud-based operation management system it has developed in the logistics sector to expand into agriculture. By extending the application of its “Aerial Robotic Infrastructure” from logistics to agriculture, the company aims to build a Physical AI platform that can ultimately be deployed across a wide range of industries, including infrastructure inspection, disaster response, and security.

Through this partnership, Aeronext and MAZEX are committed to bringing Japan-originated AI agricultural drone technologies to the global market while contributing to sustainable agriculture and the creation of next-generation industrial infrastructure.

Comments from the Representatives

Hiroaki Yoshino, President, Mazex Co., Ltd.

“We are delighted to enter into this strategic partnership with Aeronext.

To overcome the structural challenges facing Japanese agriculture—including labor shortages and an aging farming population—we believe that a new operational model capable of achieving both labor savings and higher productivity is essential. 

We see Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation as one of the most promising solutions and a key technology for advancing smart agriculture to the next stage in Japan.Through this partnership, we will combine Aeronext’s advanced AI operation technologies with MAZEX’s expertise and proven track record in agricultural drones to contribute to sustainable agriculture and the development of new social infrastructure.”

Keisuke Toji, President & Group CEO, Aeronext Inc.

“We are very pleased to establish this strategic partnership with MAZEX, one of Japan’s leading agricultural drone manufacturers.

At Aeronext, we have developed Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation technologies through our work in drone logistics. We now aim to expand these technologies beyond logistics into a wide range of industries, accelerating the real-world deployment of Physical AI.

In agriculture, where labor shortages and an aging workforce have become increasingly serious challenges, we believe AI-powered remote and autonomous drone operations will serve as a key enabling technology for improving productivity and achieving sustainable farming.

Through this partnership, we will combine MAZEX’s outstanding agricultural drone technologies with AERONEXT’s AI operation platform to accelerate the deployment of next-generation agricultural drones capable of simultaneous remote autonomous multi-drone operation.

Looking ahead, we will continue expanding our AI modules beyond agriculture into a broad range of industries, with the goal of building a Japan-originated Aerial Infrastructure and Physical AI Platform that contributes to a more sustainable society.”

【For inquiries from the press regarding this news release】

Aeronext Inc. PR Dept. (Contact: Ito)
Tel: +81-3-6455-0626　Email: aeronext_pr@aeronext.com

Mazex Co., Ltd. Group Business Promotion Dept.（Contact：Kawasaki）
Tel: 072-960-3221 　Email: company@mazex.jp

Reference

*1 AI Flight Controller

A next-generation flight control system that incorporates artificial intelligence technologies, including deep learning, to optimize the attitude and flight speed of drones and other aircraft in real time based on sensor data.

*2  Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation

A technology that enables a single operator to simultaneously monitor and control multiple unmanned vehicles—including drones, autonomous delivery robots, and unmanned surface vessels—from a remote monitoring and control center.

3. Smart Agriculture

A next-generation approach to farming that leverages advanced technologies such as robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) to automate agricultural operations, reduce labor requirements, and improve productivity.

*4  Cloud-Based Operation Management System

A cloud-based platform that enables Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation by centrally managing and controlling drone operations through the cloud.

The system integrates the Ground Control Station (GCS) with logistics operation management into a single platform, allowing all aspects of drone logistics operations to be monitored and managed in one system.

Because each drone is controlled via the cloud, the platform enables remote supervision and operational management of multiple drones simultaneously, providing a scalable foundation for AI-powered drone operations.

【About Mazex Co., Ltd.】

MAZEX is an industrial drone manufacturer whose corporate slogan is “Drone is in your hands.” Guided by its founding vision of creating “the light truck of the sky,” the company is committed to making drones more accessible and practical for everyday use.

MAZEX provides integrated solutions covering the development, manufacturing, sales, maintenance, and pilot training of industrial drones, primarily for agricultural and cargo transport applications. In addition to designing and manufacturing aircraft, the company has established comprehensive operational support services to help customers successfully deploy drone solutions.

By supporting solutions to challenges across agriculture and other industries, MAZEX contributes to the development of next-generation social infrastructure.

*Company profile:https://mazex.jp/company.html

【About Aeronext Inc.】

Guided by its mission, “Creating a world where prosperity reaches every corner through new social infrastructure for the 100-year life era,” Aeronext is pioneering the development of next-generation social infrastructure utilizing low-altitude airspace.

In addition to its technology licensing business and joint development projects centered on its proprietary 4D GRAVITY^TM center-of-gravity control technology, the company operates SkyHub^TM, a New Smart Logistics platform that integrates and optimizes regional logistics, as well as drone operation services through its strategic subsidiary, NEXT DELIVERY Inc. SkyHub^TM has already been deployed in multiple regions across Japan and continues to expand as a sustainable, phase-free regional logistics infrastructure that supports both everyday logistics and emergency transportation during disasters.

Building on the Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation technologies developed through its logistics business, Aeronext is also advancing the real-world deployment of Physical AI.  The company is expanding its AI modules across a wide range of industries—including logistics, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, disaster response, and security—while developing a platform capable of seamlessly integrating and controlling diverse drones and robotic systems.

*Company profile: https://aeronext.com/about/company/

*Aeronext and the Aeronext logo, NEXT DELIVERY, “4D GRAVITYTM” and “SkyHubTM” are trademarks of Aeronext Inc. 
*Other company and product names mentioned in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.