NextSharkNextShark.com

Golf Courses in Japan Will Soon Have AI Drone Umbrellas Floating Over People

Golf Courses in Japan Will Soon Have AI Drone Umbrellas Floating Over People

June 6, 2018
SHARE
A Japanese company will soon release a hands-free umbrella powered by drone technology and controlled by Artificial Intelligence by 2019.
This new piece of amazing tech, called Free Parasol, is being developed by Japanese company Asashi Power Services, according to SoraNews24.
The company initially plans to release the AI-controlled Parasol first that’s marketed for people who love to spend most of their time outdoors or those who do a lot of outdoor activities that require both hands, such as golf.
Subscribe to
NextShark's Newsletter

A daily dose of Asian America's essential stories, in under 5 minutes.

Get our collection of Asian America's most essential stories to your inbox daily for free.

Unsure? Check out our Newsletter Archive.

The 59-inch (150 centimeters) wide machine is operated by a AI software that tracks the top of the user’s head to follow them around during hot sunny days. However, the prototype version, which weighs at five kilograms (11 pounds), can only fly for about 20 minutes on a single charge.
Asashi Power Services, luckily, plans to slash the Free Parasol’s weight down to one kilo (two pounds) and give it a much longer battery life of about one hour when it officially comes out to the market next year.
Aside from giving the user a hands-free shade while outdoors, the Free Parasol can also provide soothing breeze using the drone’s propellers that are caged to prevent injuries.
There is also another plan that Asashi Power Services is setting its eyes on. The company is eyeing to create a waterproof version of the device that can be used as a hands-free umbrella during rainy days. However, it could pose a few problems — one in particular is when strong wind blows the drone away from the user.
So far, Asashi Power Services has not revealed any other plans on where to sell the Free Parasols, which cost about 30,000 yen ($275), but they are aiming to make this available in private areas such as golf courses.
Featured image via YouTube / hiti0253
MOST READ
    HAPPENING NOW
      Bryan Ke

      Bryan Ke is a Reporter for NextShark

      SHARE THIS ARTICLE:

      RELATED STORIES FROM NEXTSHARK

      Support
      NextShark's
      Journalism

      Many people might not know this, but NextShark is a small media startup that runs on no outside funding or loans, and with no paywalls or subscription fees, we rely on help from our community and readers like you.

      Everything you see today is built by Asians, for Asians to help amplify our voices globally and support each other. However, we still face many difficulties in our industry because of our commitment to accessible and informational Asian news coverage.

      We hope you consider making a contribution to NextShark so we can continue to provide you quality journalism that informs, educates, and inspires the Asian community. Even a $1 contribution goes a long way. Thank you for supporting NextShark and our community.

      © 2023 NextShark, Inc. All rights reserved.