Aeronext - 株式会社エアロネクスト
Japanese drone-tech startup whose patented 4D GRAVITY airframe design powers AirTruck and the Next DELIVERY / SkyHub drone-logistics network.
Aeronext Inc. is a Tokyo-based intellectual-property-driven R&D technology startup for next-generation industrial drones, founded April 11, 2017 by CEO Keisuke Toji.
Its core technology is 4D GRAVITY, a patented structural airframe design that optimizes an aircraft's center of gravity and equalizes motor rotation regardless of flight attitude, improving stability, efficiency, and maneuverability. The foundational 4D GRAVITY patent (filed May 2015) was registered in June 2018, and Aeronext runs a global, partnership-based licensing platform around its patent portfolio rather than manufacturing drones itself. Licensees include ACSL Ltd. (agreement August 2020) and Prodrone Co., Ltd. (February 2024). With ACSL, Aeronext co-developed AirTruck, announced as Japan's first mass-produced logistics-dedicated drone (5 kg payload, 20 km range), refined through 466 demonstration flights covering 1,730 km in Kosuge Village (Yamanashi), Kamishihoro (Hokkaido), and other regions. In June 2026 the company unveiled an ActiveWing prototype using movable auxiliary wings for longer-range flight. In January 2021 Aeronext established subsidiary NEXT DELIVERY Inc. (based in Kosuge Village, Yamanashi) to operate the SkyHub new-smart-logistics business and drone delivery, targeting last-mile delivery for depopulated, aging rural Japan by combining trucks and drones. Strategic and capital partners include Seino Holdings (January 2021), KDDI Corporation (September 2022), and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance (April 2024). Funding milestones include DRONE FUND pre-seed (June 2017), a Series A from Spiral Capital and others (May 2021), and a Pre-Series B from Impact Capital Limited and others (November 2024); approximately 2.3 billion yen raised to date, with capital of 1,506,024,735 yen as of July 2024.
The company also operates a Funato Drone Laboratory in Koshigaya, Saitama (opened August 2022), and Aeronext China in Shenzhen.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
AirTruck
- Model: AirTruck
- Launch Year: 2022
Japan's first mass-produced logistics-dedicated drone with 4D GRAVITY center-of-gravity control.
4D GRAVITY
- Model: 4D GRAVITY
- Launch Year: 2018
Patented airframe structural-design tech optimizing center of gravity and motor rotation for stable flight.
SkyHub (New Smart Logistics)
- Model: SkyHub
- Launch Year: 2021
Drone-plus-truck smart-logistics network providing last-mile delivery to rural communities in Japan.
ActiveWing
- Model: ActiveWing
- Launch Year: 2026
Multicopter with movable auxiliary wings for higher-efficiency, longer-range cargo flight.
Contact Aeronext
WEBSITE
https://aeronext.comHEADQUARTERS
Japan
Company Facts
Founded
2017
Primary Role
Software/Algorithm
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Asia-Pacific
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
Growth / Late-Stage VC
Funding Total
-
Aeronext Unveils ActiveWing Logistics Drone Prototype for Long-Range Delivery
Aeronext, a Tokyo-based company, has unveiled a new logistics drone prototype designed for long-range deliveries. This innovative drone features the ActiveWing technology, which incorporates independently moving auxiliary wings alongside its 4D GRAVITY airframe, enhancing both range and payload capacity for SkyHub delivery services. The announcement was made in collaboration with the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association (JUIDA), highlighting the company's commitment to advancing drone logistics solutions. The prototype aims to address the growing demand for efficient delivery systems in various sectors, leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve operational performance.
Delivery Drone News Drone News Feeds Japan Drone Industry Japan Drone News Logistics
