US drone manufacturer Skydio this week announced that the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has granted nationwide approval to remotely fly drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

The approval enables streamlined BVLOS operation using Skydio Dock and Remote Operations for monitoring complex infrastructure, inspecting a security perimeter, or assessing a site following a natural disaster.

Skydio claims its AI and autonomous technology allows drones to safely fly missions in close proximity to structures in a way that would be difficult or impossible with manual drones, even when operated remotely without a pilot.

Under the JCAB approval, there is no requirement to use additional crew members such as visual observers or technology to detect crewed aircraft, eliminating some of the greatest challenges faced by drone operators.

The approval is not location or time specific; it applies across Japan, with limited exceptions. Notification of the flight area is required prior to takeoff using JCAB’s web portal. Operators can now remotely inspect critical infrastructure like buildings, roads, power plants and the scenes of natural disasters without placing people at risk.

Adam Bry, CEO at Skydio, said: “With Skydio Dock and Remote Operations, organisations have access to real-time data to make decisions that keep their workers safe and make their operations more efficient. Autonomous remote drone operations enable inspections of hard-to-reach and dangerous areas from the safety of an office.”

Founded in 2014, Skydio is made up of leading experts in AI, robotics, cameras, and electric vehicles from top companies, research labs, and universities from around the world.

The company designs, assembles, and supports its products in the US from its headquarters in San Mateo, California, and is backed by investors that include Andreessen Horowitz, Levitate Capital, Next47, IVP, Playground, and NVIDIA.