Press Release
JAL, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, MS&AD InterRisk Research & Consulting to Collaborate in Next-Generation Air Mobility Field
To accelerate Volocopter GmbH's entry into Japan
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd. and MS&AD InterRisk Research & Consulting, Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support Volocopter GmbH’s business and jointly promote eVTOL1 in Japan. JAL2 and MSI3 have invested in Volocopter respectively in 2020.
Through this partnership, the three companies will cooperate to improve its logistics and transportation capability in mountainous areas, as well as on remote islands in an aim to alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas through Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology. In addition, the collaboration will include the enhancement of safety through reviewing risk management and insurance related measures.
Outline of Partnership
- Consultation and market research for Volocopter's business in Japan
- Proof of concept (PoC) and commercialization of eVTOL in Japan
- Research and development in operating a safe flight, insurance and risk management for eVTOL operations
- Study on social acceptance’s improvement of eVTOL
JAL aims to build up a comprehensive next-generation air mobility service via eVTOL by utilizing its expertise of safety and operation management in the field of air travel. Through the provision of such services, JAL aims to enhance its functionality in responding to needs during natural disaster relief support and medical services to achieve targets listed on its SDGs initiative.
MSI will utilize its experience with various types of mobility to develop products and services for next-generation air mobility. MSI will contribute to solve social issues utilizing eVTOL to provide smooth and comfortable transportation options in urban areas, securing transportation tools in mountainous areas and utilizing eVTOL for disaster response measures.
InterRisk aims to improve the safety and social acceptance by utilizing the knowledge on risk management in the fields of CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Services, Electric) and MaaS (Mobility as a Service).
JAL, MSI, and Interisk are cooperating with Volocopter as the leading battery powered air taxi (eVTOL) developer worldwide.
[1] electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing: A small aircraft that can take off and land vertically by rotating multiple rotors with an electric motor. It attracts attention as a means of next-generation transporting that fuses drone and electric vehicle technologies.
[2] Feb 21, 2020 - Japan Airlines Innovation Fund to Invest in Next-Generation Mobility Companies
https://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/202002/005499.html
[3] Feb 25, 2020 Regarding Alliance Agreement Relating to Air mobility Business between MSI and Volocopter GmbH
https://www.ms-ins.com/english/news/fy2019/pdf/0225_1.pdf
