Press Release

Nagoya, Japan – December 13, 2024 – SORA Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan; Founder and CEO: Yosuke Kaneko) has been awarded the prestigious “iF Social Impact Prize”, a special category of the globally renowned iF Design Award 2024. This honor recognizes SORA Technology’s innovative use of drones and AI to combat malaria in the Global South, addressing pressing global health and environmental challenges.

About the iF Social Impact Prize

The iF Social Impact Prize celebrates design projects that tackle critical social and environmental issues. As part of the iF Design Award—one of the world’s top three design accolades alongside the Red Dot Design Award and the IDEA Award—the prize highlights projects that demonstrate innovation, feasibility, and alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year, more than 2,700 projects from 121 countries were submitted, with only 26 receiving awards. SORA Technology was recognized for its significant contribution to Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).

Award-Winning Malaria Prevention Solution

SORA Technology’s malaria prevention initiative employs drones equipped with AI-driven image recognition to detect high-risk mosquito breeding sites efficiently. This targeted approach minimizes pesticide use, reduces labor costs, and lowers the environmental impact compared to traditional methods that required broad pesticide application.

This innovative solution exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can address enduring public health challenges while promoting environmental sustainability.

Drone and AI surveillance for eliminating Malaria

SORA Technology’s Broader Mission

Beyond malaria prevention, SORA Technology is leveraging drones and AI to tackle global issues across several domains:
Infectious Disease Prevention: Developing AI-based systems to predict and mitigate the spread of diseases such as cholera and malaria.
Reducing Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Monitoring and minimizing methane emissions to support sustainable farming practices.
Disaster Response and Climate Resilience: Providing drone-based solutions to enhance community resilience against natural disasters like floods and droughts.
Through these initiatives, SORA Technology remains committed to building a sustainable society resilient to health crises and climate-related challenges.

For media inquiries, please contact:
SORA Technology Co., Ltd.
E-mail: ichiho.sato@sora-tech.com

Notes to Editors

About the iF Design Award: Established in 1953, the iF Design Award is a globally recognized design accolade managed by iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hanover, Germany. The award honors excellence in design across various categories, including product, communication, and service design.
For more information on the iF Design Award, visit: iF Design Award Website.
For more information on the Social Impact Prize, visit: Social Impact Prize Website.