_2x.png)
Jan 27, 2025
BlueWX Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yoshiaki Miyamoto; hereinafter referred to as "the Company"), which aims to realize safe, economical, and carbon-neutral air transportation through highly accurate weather forecasting, has raised 120 million yen in Series A funding through a third-party allotment of new shares. The funding was underwritten by lead investors The University of Tokyo Innovation Platform Development Co., Ltd. (Head office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kosuke Ueda), AH-GB Future Creation Investment Limited Partnership, jointly established by ANA Holdings Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Koji Shibata) and Global Brain Corporation (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yasuhiko Yurimoto), and Keio Innovation Initiative Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kotaro Yamagishi).
Challenges and current situation regarding achieving carbon neutrality in the aviation industry. Required safety.
In recent years, with the progress 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 the most anticipated option, low-carbon fuel, is expected to take time to be realized, and at present, improving operational efficiency is an urgent issue.
It is believed that by selecting the optimal route for 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 for efficient route planning.
Developed an AI-based turbulence prediction system, achieving a prediction model with approximately 2.7 times the accuracy of conventional models.
BlueWX, founded in July 2023 through industry-academia collaboration between ANA and Keio University, aims to develop highly accurate weather forecasting models in global airspace as well as in Japan, in order to achieve safe operations, reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and cut costs in the aviation industry.
Our turbulence prediction model is an AI system that uses deep learning and was developed through joint research between Miyamoto, who is also an associate professor at the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies at Keio University, and ANA Holdings Inc., which began in 2019.
Miyamoto has previously used the supercomputer "K computer" 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 achieves approximately 2.7 times greater accuracy in Japanese airspace than existing prediction data, and trial operations involving approximately 2,500 ANA Group pilots from 2021 will confirm its high accuracy in predicting turbulence, with expectations for its use in even safer and more economical flight operations.
The funds raised this time will be used to strengthen BlueWX's business foundation by enhancing the functionality of its predictive model and by recruiting new personnel. The company will first roll out its turbulence model for the aviation industry to the global market, and then aim to develop a model that will accelerate operational efficiency and CO2 emission reductions. In the future, the company will also consider improving operations using drones and eVTOLs.
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 generates and provides weather forecast data for mobility using practical AI models developed in academia that utilize technology cultivated through joint development with ANA. We believe that BlueWX will become a leader that will make a significant contribution to GX in the global mobility industry, particularly in the aviation industry. We hope to collaborate with various companies and contribute to GX around the world.
* The University of Tokyo IPC is the largest accelerator program in Japan, co-hosted by universities and research institutes: 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 solutions to modern social issues, and ANA, which has real-world aviation operations. I hope that in the future they will continue to provide groundbreaking solutions that will improve the accuracy of weather forecasts in general, not just turbulence forecasts, and that will lead to improved safety not only for aircraft but for all forms of mobility."
Ryo Otake, Principal, Keio Innovation Initiative Inc. (KII)
I first spoke with Professor Miyamoto about three years ago as part of a collaboration with Keio University to support startups. 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 success after success, including conducting a demonstration experiment with ANA and being selected for various grant programs.We are confident that with this latest 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.
Yoshiaki Miyamoto, President and CEO of BlueWX Corporation
This project has been carried out with the support of many people since the days of our joint research with ANA. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the ANA Group, who cooperated with us throughout development and on-site use, the Keio Innovation Initiative and Keio University, who provided invaluable advice and support in terms of commercialization, and the University of Tokyo Collaborative Creation Platform Development, who led the way and provided tremendous support towards this latest investment since the first round.
With this investment as an opportunity, 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 economic efficiency.
About BlueWX Inc.
Overview: Weather analysis and forecasts, and their provision, as well as content planning, production, and sales of countermeasures using analysis and forecasts
Established: July 2023
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Yoshiaki Miyamoto, Representative Director and President
URL: https://www.bluewx.co.jp/
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact:
BlueWX Corporation Public Relations Officer (email: contact@bluewx.co.jp )