Creating High-Resolution Aerial Hazard Maps for Effective Vector Control

SORA Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; Founder and CEO: Yosuke Kaneko, hereinafter referred to as “SORA Technology”), a company tackling global health and climate challenges through AI and aerospace technology, has been commissioned by the Osaka Pest Control Association (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka City; President: Hisashi Sotani) to implement advanced pest control measures at the venue of the 2025 World Exposition (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan).
As part of this initiative, SORA Technology has begun operations utilizing drones for high-resolution aerial photography, AI-powered detection of water puddles, and digital mapping to support integrated pest management across the Expo site. These efforts are expected to significantly improve the efficiency of pest control measures within the venue.

Background and Objectives

In conventional pest control operations at large-scale events, potential mosquito breeding sites have been identified through on-foot inspections. This approach has posed challenges in terms of effective information sharing among stakeholders and in quickly identifying and visualizing target areas for insecticide application, such as drainage ditches.

In this operation, SORA Technology is leveraging its drone flight capabilities to capture aerial images of the Expo site. By analyzing this imagery, the company aims not only to map the locations of drainage systems but also to detect puddles that may form on the rooftops of national pavilions and other structures, thereby identifying potential mosquito breeding sources.

Flight Overview

Flight Period: July–September 2025
Location: Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai site (Yumeshima, Konohana-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)
Personnel: 2 pilots and 5 support staff

Under local ordinances, drone flights and aerial photography are prohibited over Yumeshima, including the Expo site and the surrounding 1,000 meters. However, flights are permitted if prior notification is submitted to the Public Safety Commission with the consent of the Expo Association or facility managers. Unauthorized drone flights without the required procedures are subject to penalties of up to one year imprisonment or fines of up to 500,000 yen.

Compile drone aerial photographs into an integrated overall map

The drone’s flight area was set at 300 meters by 300 meters per flight, defined as one grid. The entire Yumeshima Expo site was divided into 70 grids. In coordination with the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, a flight plan was established to determine which grids to survey. The plan was then duly filed with the Public Safety Commission and submitted to the Civil Aviation Bureau before the drone flights were conducted.

Each drone operates at a speed of approximately 10–15 meters per second. At an altitude of 100 meters, mapping of a single grid can be completed in about five minutes.

Using multicopter drones with flight ranges managed by latitude and longitude, multiple flights were conducted over the Expo site to capture aerial imagery of the entire venue. The captured images were then stitched together to create an orthomosaic image—an aerial photograph corrected for distortion.

Future Outlook

Large-scale events that attract international visitors carry public health risks, including outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever. From both the perspective of visitor comfort and the safe and secure management of the event, the creation and digitalization of pest control hazard maps are essential.
By making drone-captured imagery shareable on the web and allowing stakeholders to input latitude and longitude data of insecticide application sites, coordinate information can be systematically organized. This contributes to the integrated management of areas designated for insecticide spraying.
Furthermore, with a dedicated smartphone application, navigation to specific spraying sites can also be enabled.
This initiative is particularly significant for Japan, where the spread of infectious diseases previously unseen in the region is expected due to climate change. Building on the expertise SORA Technology has developed in Africa and Southeast Asia, the company is committed to deploying these technologies domestically as well.

Company Profile

Company Name: SORA Technology Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Representative: Yosuke Kaneko (Founder and CEO)
Business Description: Development and deployment of drone- and AI-based solutions for infectious disease control, agriculture, and disaster preparedness
Established: 2020
Website：https://sora-technology.com/
Linkedin：https://www.linkedin.com/company/sora-technology/
Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/sora.technology/

Organization Name：Osaka Pest Control Association (General Incorporated Association)
Headquarters：2-1-15 Tokiwamachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City
Representative：Hisashi Sotani (President)
Business Description：Operation of a pest consultation office and referral of service providers; contracting routine pest control operations for municipalities; emergency response during disasters and outbreaks of infectious diseases
Established：1981
Website：http://www.osakapco.com/