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Jan 27, 2025
BlueWX Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yoshiaki Miyamoto; hereinafter referred to as "the Company"), which aims to make air transport safer, more economical, and carbon neutral through highly accurate weather forecasting, has raised 120 million yen in Series A funding through a third-party allotment of new shares, with underwriters including lead investor University of Tokyo Innovation Platform Development Co., Ltd. (Head office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kosuke Ueda), AH-GB Future Creation Investment Limited Partnership, jointly established by ANA Holdings Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Koji Shibata) and Global Brain Corporation (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yasuhiko Yurimoto), and Keio Innovation Initiative Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kotaro Yamagishi).
Issues and current situation regarding achieving carbon neutrality in the aviation industry. Required safety.
In recent years, with the progression of global warming, the risk of aircraft encountering turbulence has increased, and the number of reported accidents due to turbulence has also increased worldwide. Furthermore, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality for the entire aviation industry by 2050. Towards this goal, airlines are considering various measures, but it is expected that the most promising option, low-carbon fuel, will take time to be realized, and at present, the most pressing issue is to improve the efficiency of operations.
It is believed that by selecting the optimal route under the weather conditions, it is possible to reduce fuel consumption and improve economic efficiency. However, there are issues with the accuracy of the weather forecast data currently in use, making it difficult to use it for efficient route planning.
We have developed an AI-based turbulence prediction system, achieving a prediction model with approximately 2.7 times the accuracy of conventional models.
Founded in July 2023 as an industry-academia collaboration between ANA and Keio University, BlueWX aims to develop highly accurate weather forecast models in not only Japanese airspace but also global airspace in order to achieve safe operations, reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and reduce costs in the aviation industry.
Our turbulence prediction model is an AI system that uses deep learning and was developed in collaboration with Miyamoto, who is also an associate professor at Keio University's Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, and ANA Holdings Inc., through joint research that began in 2019.
Miyamoto has previously used the supercomputer "K" to conduct the world's highest resolution global atmospheric simulations and perform numerical calculations of typhoons and clouds. Drawing on this experience, he developed a deep learning prediction model based on weather data and information on turbulence encountered by ANA aircraft over the past 10 years. The model has achieved approximately 2.7 times higher accuracy than existing prediction data in Japanese airspace, and through trial operations targeting approximately 2,500 ANA Group pilots from 2021 onwards, it has been confirmed that the model can predict turbulence with high accuracy, and it is expected to be used to further improve safety and economical flight operations.
The funds raised this time will be used to strengthen BlueWX's business foundation, the prediction model, and to strengthen the organization through recruitment. First, the company aims to expand its turbulence model for the aviation industry to the global market, and then to develop a model that will accelerate flight efficiency and CO2 emission reduction. In the future, the company will also promote its business with an eye on improving flight operations such as drones and eVTOL.
Comments from each company
Takashi Furukawa, Managing Partner, University of Tokyo Collaborative Platform Development Co., Ltd.
Manager Tatsuhiko Katayama
We have been working with them since they were selected for the 1st Round of our entrepreneurial support program (※), and with this investment we have decided to work with them for the long term as shareholders.
BlueWX, which generates and provides weather forecast data for mobility using practical AI models developed in academia that utilize technology cultivated through joint development with ANA, is a company that we believe will be a front-runner that will make a major contribution to GX in the global mobility industry, particularly in the aviation industry. We hope to work with various companies to contribute to GX around the world.
* The University of Tokyo IPC is the largest university and research institute co-sponsored accelerator program in Japan: https://www.1stround.jp/
Yoshiaki Tsuda, Executive Officer and Head of Future Creation, ANA Holdings Inc.
"I am very pleased that this commercialization has been realized based on an AI model jointly developed by Keio University, which conducts practical research that leads to solving problems in modern society, and ANA, which has real-world aviation operations. In the future, I hope that they will continue to provide groundbreaking solutions that will lead to improved accuracy in general weather forecasts, not just turbulence predictions, and improved safety not only for aircraft but for all forms of mobility."
Ryo Otake, Principal, Keio Innovation Initiative Inc.
I first spoke with Professor Miyamoto about three years ago when we were working with Keio University on a startup support project. I still remember him expressing his strong desire to put his meteorological research to practical use in society.
Since then, full-scale development of the product has progressed, and we have achieved successive results, such as conducting demonstration experiments at ANA and being selected for various grant programs. We are confident that with this latest round of funding, we will be able to create a positive impact on the aviation industry.
KII is pleased to be investing in the company, and as an investor, we will continue to support the evolution of BlueWX and the advancement of innovation in the industry.
BlueWX Corporation President and CEO Yoshiaki Miyamoto
This project has been moving forward with the support of many people since the days of joint research with ANA. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at the ANA Group who has cooperated with us throughout development and on-site use, to the Keio Innovation Initiative and Keio University who have provided invaluable advice and support in terms of commercialization, and to the University of Tokyo Collaborative Platform Development who have led the way in this investment and provided tremendous support since the first round.
With this investment as a turning point, we aim to further develop our business, including sales to overseas organizations and research and development, and will work even harder to contribute even in some small way to improving aviation safety and economy.
About BlueWX Corporation
Overview: Weather analysis and forecasts, their provision, and content planning, production, and sales of countermeasures using analysis and forecasts
Established: July 2023
Location: Minato Ward, Tokyo
Representative: Yoshiaki Miyamoto, Representative Director and President
URL: https://www.bluewx.co.jp/
For further inquiries, please contact:
BlueWX Corporation Public Relations Officer (email: contact@bluewx.co.jp )