[Special feature] To the future of the island ... Kagawa / Mitoyoichi (KSB Seto Inland Sea Broadcasting) on the world's first drone transport route --Yahoo! News

KSB Seto Inland Sea Broadcasting

　In August 2021, a regular drone route was opened in Awashima, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture.In the background, there was a man's desire to create a mechanism that could continue to live even on remote islands, which are depopulated and aging.[See photos] If you select a product from the catalog and order it, the drone will carry the product to the island.

The world's first drone regular transport service "Kamome Service"

■現在の島民は171人　過疎・高齢化が進む「粟島」　周囲約16キロ、三豊市詫間町の粟島。島まではフェリーで片道15分です。　1897年に日本最古の海員養成学校がつくられ、多くの船乗りを育てるなどにぎわいを見せていましたが……現在は島民が171人。そのうち143人が65歳以上と過疎・高齢化が進んでいます。島の小・中学校も廃校になりました。（島民）「もう歩いてても、避けて通らんぐらいで歩けたんじゃき、昔は。今はもう猫の子どもしかおらへん。寂しいもんや」■「ドローン」で島民の生活を便利に　そんな粟島で2021年8月、The world's first drone regular transport service "Kamome Service"が始まりました。（かもめや／小野正人　代表）「街と変わらない利便性が得られるということになると、新しい生活の仕方ができるようになるのではないかと思っています」　ドローン輸送を担うのは、高松市の「かもめや」です。輸送サービス「かもめ便」はカタログから商品を選んで注文すれば、ドローンが島まで商品を運んでくれるというものです。今は、お菓子やカップ麺、お弁当などの注文に対応しています。　島民は、商品の代金プラス500円で利用できますが、天候が悪ければ輸送できないこともあります。「かもめや」の代表・小野さんは、定期航路の開設に向けて6年前から実証実験を重ねてきました。■定期航路開設までの道のり　2015年1月には、高松市から男木島までの約8キロの区間をドローンで輸送する実証実験を行いました。（かもめや／小野正人　代表）「無事、着陸しました。おかげでこの実験成功しました。ありがとうございました」　その8カ月後には伊吹島への実証実験も……　どうすれば食べ物や薬などを必要な時に島に届けられるのか。このプロジェクトの背景には、過疎化が進む島の現状に対する危機感がありました。■小野代表の原動力とは　三豊市出身の小野さんは、エンジニアとして通信に関わる仕事をしながら趣味で島を巡っていました。そして、ボランティアスタッフとして瀬戸内国際芸術祭に関わったことをきっかけに2014年に男木島へ移住。1年ほど島での生活を経験しました。（かもめや／小野正人　代表）「自分が将来離島暮らしをした時に、この仕組みがあったら暮らし続けられるなとか、好んでそこの場所に行きたいなという仕組みを作ってるっていうことが原動力になってます」■サービス開始から4カ月……手応えと課題　粟島でのドローン輸送サービスが始まって4カ月。（島民　80代）「家に持ってきてくれましたよ、2回。一人だから助かります」　弁当の宅配は1日に5、6個注文が入る日もあるなど、手応えを感じているようですが……（島民　70代）「（Q.How do the islanders take it? ) I don't seem to use much, but I don't know much. "(80s in the islanders)" Yeah, it's bad, it's bad, it's a waste. " It was like. There is one shop on the island that sells food and daily necessities. (After all, there are still shops in Awashima, so we don't plan to use it now. " I was. (Kamomeya / Masato Ono) "In fact, we have received various opinions from residents living on the island. We accept such issues and needs one by one. I'm digging up what I can do now while flying a drone. " That's right. I've been carrying a few people recently. So, I think it would be best if I could have a drone to carry humans. "The country is a drone carrying people in 2023, commonly known as the" flying car ". I am aiming for. In June 2021, the first outdoor test flight in Japan in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture was held. (Kamomeya / Masato Ono) "In fact, it is the world we aim for, and we are doing it now, in anticipation of emergency response, disaster response, and use in such places. Is the regular route called the know -how, or when you gain experience, it's an initiative that leads to the future. " I came to hear about the story. (Employee of a car manufacturer) "I felt that it would be worthwhile to have the trust of the operation because I usually do it," (Kamomeya / Masato Ono) "From the maintenance of the aircraft). There is a good procedure to check and do it, and if you do it every day, it will be a matter of daily operation, daily operation. It is one asset, and our assets. I wonder if it's an strength. In that sense, regular routes have various meanings. " In some cases, it is becoming difficult. To support the life of the islanders ... Awashima's "Kamome Service" crosses the sea for the future of the island. (Kamomeya / Representative Masato Ono) "This is the time you like 24 hours a day, this is it. I think there is an impact on a remote island to make a convenience store. This is something that has not been since its history. I think. This mechanism is not something we do, but we want to do it with the approach of making it together, so we just have a lot of cooperation with Awashima. I hope that it will be a service that can be really convenient while having it. "The" flying car "aims for practical use in 2023 is the transport of people and supplies, and the supply of quick medical products. , It is expected to be used in various fields. Mr. Ono said that he would like to expand transport services to areas other than Awashima.

KSB Seto Inland Sea Broadcasting