Demonstration experiment of flood control and flood damage control measures using drone x AI in Kenya

SORA Technology Co., Ltd. (Head office: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Founder and CEO: Yosuke Kaneko, hereinafter SORA Technology), which is tackling global health and climate change issues with AI and aerospace technology, announced in October 2024 that it has been selected for the “King Salmon Project”, a project organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to solve social issues in overseas cities and promote the business development of start-ups in overseas cities.
In recent years, Nairobi has been hit by serious heavy rain disasters and flood damage. SORA Technology aims to establish technology in Nairobi by conducting demonstration experiments on flood control measures using drones and AI and measures to minimize damage in case of flood.

Floods in Kenya

In recent years, Kenya has been severely damaged by heavy rains and floods affected by climate change, and there are concerns about infectious diseases such as waterborne diseases and livestock epidemics due to flooding damage not only in suburbs but also in urban areas. In particular, the risk of infectious diseases such as cholera is rapidly increasing as unsanitary conditions continue due to sewage.
In response to these social issues, the Kenyan government is seeking collaboration with the hope of solving them through cutting-edge businesses (innovation).

Various measures using drones and AI

SORA Technology aims to approach using drones and AI.

1) Flood control measures using drones
In normal times, we use drones to capture topography from the sky, and use image data to identify areas where flood damage is likely to be severe during heavy rains.

2) Real-time information collection in case of flood damage
By using aerial images and videos using drones, it will contribute to the immediate grasp of the damage situation and the initiation of rapid countermeasures.

3) Prediction of the epidemic of infectious diseases after the onset of disaster
By analyzing images taken by drones with AI, it is possible to find signs of epidemics, especially water-borne infections (such as cholera and malaria)

Through this demonstration experiment, we will establish technology and determine how to operate it on site.

What is “King Salmon Project?”

It is a project organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to provide support for initiatives to solve various issues in the city government and overseas cities through cutting-edge startup projects.

King Salmon Project “Overseas Urban Problem Solving Course”
Adoption date: October 18th, 2024
Theme: Suppression of damage caused by floods and rivers
Proposal: Prediction of occurrence of floods and cholera, etc. by measuring the ground surface with a drone
For more information: Overseas urban problem solving course

About SORA Technology

With the mission of “Transforming the way people live from space (SORA)”, we will realize “a safe and prosperous society anywhere in the world” through air mobility such as drones. It is a startup that uses drones and AI to combat malaria, one of the world’s largest infectious diseases.

SORA Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters Nagono Campus, 2-14-1 Nagono, Nishi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
Established June 2020
Founder and CEO Yosuke Kaneko
Website https://sora-technology.com/