Doosan Group has boosted its efforts to expand its drone fuel cell business and identify new growth drivers at CES 2020, which was held in Las Vegas, U.S.
As part of these efforts, Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) announced on Jan. 8 (local time) that it signed an agreement with Microsoft to develop applications for hydrogen fuel cell-powered drones. Head of DMI Doosoon Lee and Vice President of Microsoft Korea Miyoung Woo attended the signing ceremony.
Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, Azure, and advanced AI and IoT technologies will be adopted to DMI’s drone software and monitoring solution and a joint sales campaign will take place.
If DMI’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered drones, which can fly for two hours, meet Microsoft’s advanced technologies, users will be empowered to collect, analyze and utilize a massive amount of data, leading to significant synergy creation for both companies.
In addition, DMI made a partnership agreement with two American companies at the CES Doosan booth on Jan. 7 (local time), signifying its full-blown attempt to enter the U.S. market. The first partner was ReadyH2, a hydrogen supplier, and the agreement is expected to ensure a stable supply of hydrogen to DMI’s U.S. customers.
The second agreement was with Skyfire Consulting, a drone service operator for the public safety sector. Following the partnership, DMI will join a pipeline inspection project in which its drones will fly in the sky over the U.S. to detect any flaws in major pipelines.
Doosoon Lee, the head of DMI, said, “Doosan drones equipped with hydrogen fuel cells have overcome the existing limits of drone travel. By combining with Microsoft’s state-of-the-art technologies, we will offer excellent customized solutions. Our global reach will be widened further in partnership with diverse foreign partners.”
DMI’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered drones can fly over two hours, far beyond current limits of 30 minutes. Last year, DMI and Skyfire succeeded in delivering medications via drone to a destination 70 kilometers away (43 miles).
▲ Head of DMI Doosoon Lee (left) and Vice President of Microsoft Korea Miyoung Woo pose for a photo after the signing ceremony to develop hydrogen fuel cell-powered drone solutions on Jan. 8th (local time) at CES 2020, Las Vegas, U.S.