Start of Drone Services
Korea Post will start a delivery service using drones from next year. Also, drones will be used to inspect energy facilities including power and gas. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) will invest 1.5 billion won (US$1.27 million) next year to push forward three pilot projects.
The MOTIE and the Korea Civil Aviation Development Association (KADA) hosted a “Drone Industry Demand Base Vitalization Seminar” on Dec. 16, announcing these plans.
From next year, the MOTIE will encourage early market creation through pilot projects using drones in Korea Post delivery service and energy facility inspection. Also, it will develop the operation system in the relief, surveillance and delivery sectors and the low-price flight control system, including customized flight vehicles, in order to improve the technological levels of drones.
In addition, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) introduced the result of the ongoing pilot project using drones to inspect power facilities, which are physically difficult to access such as steel towers and utility poles, and its expansion plans at the seminar. The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) said that it will develop and test run the system to use drones for the Korea Post delivery service in delivering to vulnerable areas, including highlands and islands, from next year.