SoftBank and Alteros launch the world’s first self-driving aircraft

Hokkaido Spaceport, Taiki Town, Hokkaido, Japan, April 12 /PRNewswire/ – Altaeros ST-Flex is a rapidly expanding independent airport

SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), Japan’s leading mobile operator, has completed initial testing of the ST-Flex™ Altaeros autonomous airport. The operation and communication test was conducted at Hokkaido Spaceport, Taiki Town, Hokkaido, Japan. Learn more about the ST-Flex: www.altaeros.com

SoftBank and Altaeros first released the ST-Flex on May 2, 2022 and conducted evaluation tests until May. The ST-Flex carries SoftBank’s base station system, equipped with the company’s proprietary cylindrical antenna allowing the communications area to be installed, at 850 feet (249 meters) where it was connected to ground equipment via fiber-optic cables and power cables built into the ropes. From the SoftBank ad: “The newly developed Aerostat HALS can operate at higher altitudes and carry heavier communications payloads. It also achieved wider network coverage with greater connection stability during the experiment.” Additional details and results from SoftBank’s communications test can be found here: https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/news/press/sbkk/2022/20220622_01/

Aerostat Autopilot™, Altaeros’ proprietary autonomous control system, eliminates the need for an on-site crew for daily operations and ensures the highest level of reliability, making the ST-Flex the most cost-effective solution in its class. During the test program, the ST-Flex performed well in a variety of weather conditions, including gale-force winds. Three independent Altaeros controllers ensure machine stability and control roll, roll and yaw motions to keep the machine stable even in changing weather conditions. Autonomous capabilities provide a level of performance and flexibility unparalleled in commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). See the highlights here: https://youtu.be/tENcZXFsfEU

“We are very pleased to have completed the first international launch of the ST-Flex,” said Ben Glass, CEO of Altaeros and the efficacy of several air communications platforms to deliver critical services around the world.

About SoftBank Corp.

Guided by the SoftBank Group’s business philosophy of “Information Revolution – Happiness for All”, SoftBank Corp. (Tokyo: 9434) Telecommunications services and its combination with advanced technologies to develop and operate new business areas in Japan and around the world, which ended in March 2022, SoftBank Corp. recorded sales of 5.7 trillion yen, operating income of 985.7 billion yen, and has 319 The group of companies (245 subsidiaries and 74 subsidiaries) in Japan and abroad has 57 million mobile and broadband customers in Japan and through its Yahoo subsidiaries. Japan Corporation, PayPay Corporation and LINE Corporation, 86 million online media users, 46 million smartphone payments users, and 92 million communications app users, respectively, as of May 11, 2022) with such a strong business foundation and a compelling number of points Ten customer contact, SoftBank Corp. is expanding. In line with its “Beyond Carrier” growth strategy in non-telecom related areas while continuing to expand its telecom business. By fully leveraging the power of 5G, AI, IoT, Digital Twin and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), including stratospheric communications based on High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) and other key technologies, SoftBank Corp. the society”. In recognition of ESG initiatives, SoftBank Corp. Selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indicators, FTSE4Good, 2022 Constituent MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index and other ESG’s leading global investment indices. To learn more, please visit https://www.softbank.jp/en/

About Tyros: Altaeros is dedicated to connecting people, machines, and data, no matter where they are. We use the latest autonomy and aerospace technology to build the most effective platforms in aviation. Our mega towers are used to provide fast, low-cost broadband to underserved communities, build IoT networks to monitor industrial sites or crop health, provide a better spot for first responders during wildfires or other natural disasters, and enable a variety of other applications. Altaeros is headquartered in the Greater Boston area with manufacturing and testing facilities in southern New Hampshire. Altaeros is backed by the SoftBank Group, SPARX, SKK, and Safar Partners, among others.

More information at www.altaeros.com

picture – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1845169/Altaeros_ST_Flex.jpg

video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tENcZXFsfEU

picture – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/184516 8 / ST_Flex_launch.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/642636/Altaeros_Logo.jpg

Questions and contact:

Elise Janatasio,
Elise@altaeros.com