The Japanese e-commerce company has been launching several projects related to drones, such as its the Sora Raku Rakuten Drone service

Japanese e-commerce platform Rakuten is taking part in a US$26 million Series B round for Santa Monica-based airspace management platform for drone AirMap.

The funding round is led by Microsoft Ventures, with participation from Airbus Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, Sony, and Yuneec. Existing investors General Catalyst and Lux Capital also took part in the round, bringing AirMap’s total funding to more US$43 million.

“The strategic partners participating in our Series B financing reflect the diversity of the drone ecosystem and the potential of drones to benefit every sector of our economy,” said AirMap CEO Ben Marcus, who is also a co-chair for the FAA/industry Unmanned Aircraft Safety Team.

“Very soon, millions of drones will fly billions of flights. This is a future that depends on safe, autonomous drone operations at scale. AirMap’s technology will make this future possible, allowing the drones of today, and the autonomous drones of tomorrow, to take flight,” he stressed.

The AirMap platform provides real-time airspace information and services for a “vast majority” of drones in the world, with top drone makers such as DJI, Intel, senseFly, 3DR, and Aeryon Labs embedding AirMap’s data and services to their drones, ground control stations, and flight apps. Drone manufacturers and developers utilise the platform to access and share the data they need for a safe flight in low-altitude airspace.

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The startup also stated that “more than” 125 airports use its service to communicate and manage drones in surrounding airspace.

The company also takes part in worldwide efforts to build tech for UTM, the regulatory and tech framework that will facilitate data exchange and air traffic control for drones, and eventually, flying cars.

AirMap plans to use the new funding to take its airspace management platform and Unmanned Aircraft Traffic Management (UTM) solutions to new markets worldwide, with the setting up of its new office in Berlin and at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California.

Rakuten and drones

Rakuten itself has been involved in several projects related to drones. In April 2016, it launched the Sora Raku Rakuten Drone service and has worked with local partners to carry out drone delivery flights in Japan.

“As drone-based commercial services become more common, there is a growing need for airspace management technologies to ensure the safe and smooth operation of these services in low-altitude airspace,” said Takashi Toraishi, president of the New Services Development Company of Rakuten, who is also responsible for the Sora Raku Rakuten Drone service.

“AirMap’s platform, UTM solutions and regulatory expertise have made it a leader in the airspace management industry, and we believe the company will make a significant contribution to the development of commercial drone ecosystems around the world,” he added.

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