SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) and Nidec Corporation (TOKYO: 6594; OTC US: NJDCY) have jointly developed a light-weight, high-efficiency and high-reliability axial, flux-type motor for High Altitude Platform Stations (“HAPS”).
This newly developed motor also meets the specifications required for Sunglider, the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) developed by HAPSMobile Inc., a subsidiary of SoftBank.
The jointly developed motor offers light weight, high efficiency and high performance that enable UAS for HAPS to endure long flight times, solely on solar power, and high thermal dissipation that keeps them performing stably in the stratosphere’s hypobaric environment. In addition, with the use of the magnetic circuit design technology, the HAPS motor has achieved a torque density of 12.5N·m/kg, despite its light weight.
Going forward, SoftBank and HAPSMobile will continue to develop various foundational technologies, such as those for the latest motor, to commercialize HAPS and promote HAPS businesses.
Nidec remains committed to developing products based on its technologies to develop light, thin, short, small, high-efficiency, and highly controllable products.