Tech Firm Enters Infrastructure Inspection DX Support, Boosting Field Deployment and Training with Narrow Space Drone "IBIS2" and High-Definition 3D Modeling

Tech Firm Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Shingo Chihara; hereinafter "Tech Firm"), which handles ICT solutions business, will enter the high-definition 3D modeling business utilizing drones for narrow spaces, anticipating the growing demand for inspection of aging infrastructure. As a Gold Partner of Liberaware Inc.'s narrow space inspection drone "IBIS2," Tech Firm will provide not only the aircraft but also integrated services including data acquisition, 3D modeling, training environment development, and support for field deployment and adoption, thereby bolstering the inspection systems of local governments, surveying companies, equipment inspection companies, and construction consultants.

Growing Demand for Maintenance of Aging Infrastructure, Shortage of Inspection Personnel Poses a Challenge

The aging of social infrastructure, including sewage systems, is a nationwide structural issue. The road collapse accident in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, in 2025 is one symbolic example, and now, a review of the entire maintenance system is required, not just accident response. (Note 1)

On the other hand, sewage pipes and underground spaces are special environments that are not only narrow and dark but also involve the danger of toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide. However, these are fields that heavily rely on visual inspection by humans. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has cited the shortage of aircraft and pilots, and the need for training and qualification systems as challenges for drone adoption. Therefore, for DX in infrastructure inspection, it is essential to expand the human resources and operational infrastructure that can safely operate drones, in addition to introducing equipment. Furthermore, the domestic drone business market is expected to expand to 497.3 billion yen by fiscal year 2025 and 954.4 billion yen by fiscal year 2030. Of this, the inspection field accounts for approximately 40% of the total market, making it the largest segment. Driven by measures for aging infrastructure and DX promotion, this segment is projected to grow from 100.3 billion yen in fiscal year 2025 to 150 billion yen by fiscal year 2028. (Note 2)

Note 1: In a nationwide special intensive survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, 748 km of pipes requiring countermeasures and 96 cavities in the ground were identified, covering 535 organizations and 5,332 km. The total length of sewage pipes nationwide is approximately 500,000 km, of which approximately 40,000 km exceed the standard service life of 50 years. This is expected to increase to approximately 100,000 km in the next 10 years and approximately 210,000 km in 20 years.

Note 2: From "Drone Business Survey Report 2026" by Impress Corporation.

Supporting Visualization of Internal Site Conditions with Narrow Space Drones and High-Definition 3D Modeling

A drone flying in underground spaces.

In this context, a technique that is attracting attention is the deployment of drones into narrow, dark, and hazardous spaces that are difficult for humans to access, to acquire visual and spatial information of the site. Among these, Liberaware's "IBIS2" is an aircraft specialized for narrow space inspection and has a track record of use in nationwide special intensive surveys of sewage pipes. Tech Firm will promote DX for infrastructure inspection, including the utilization of acquired data, in addition to providing the "IBIS2" aircraft.

By applying the know-how cultivated in XR, 3D space construction, and digital twin-related development to the field of infrastructure inspection, Tech Firm will create high-definition 3D models of equipment interiors based on video and image data acquired by drones. This will enable remote understanding and sharing of equipment status, which was previously assumed to require on-site confirmation, and lead to maintenance support by overlaying inspection history and deterioration status. In addition, Tech Firm will implement understanding promotion tools for businesses considering the introduction of IBIS2, as well as a flight training simulator as one of the future operational support menus.

<Narrow Space Inspection Drone "IBIS2">

This is a narrow space inspection drone with a lightweight body of approximately 20cm x 20cm and 243g, capable of flying inside pipes with a diameter of 50cm. It enables safe and highly accurate inspections in environments that are difficult for people to enter, such as sewage pipes. Tech Firm became a Gold Partner of Liberaware Inc. in June of this year and began offering "IBIS2".

https://liberaware.co.jp/ibis2/

Expanding into the DX Market for Inspection of Inaccessible Spaces, Starting with Sewage Systems

The target areas are not limited to sewage systems. Demand for visualization and information sharing within spaces that are difficult for people to access, such as utility tunnels, underground conduits, tunnels, power generation facilities, plants, and factory equipment, is expected to increase further in the future. By combining narrow space drones and high-definition 3D modeling technology, Tech Firm will provide an inspection DX platform that supports everything from field deployment to data utilization. The company aims to deploy 100 sets (including introductory support packages with aircraft provision) over three years, starting with the sewage pipe inspection field.

<Expected Deployment Areas>

・Utility tunnels, underground conduits

・Tunnel ancillary equipment, inside inspection ports

・Elevator shaft inspection

・Piping, ducts, and tank surroundings within plants

・Confined spaces with risks of toxic gas or oxygen deficiency

・Power generation equipment

・Inaccessible spaces during disasters

・Inspection of indoor and outdoor infrastructure equipment

About Tech Firm

As a "professional group well-versed in ICT," Tech Firm provides one-stop solutions for business transformation and problem-solving using digital technology. Since its establishment in 1998, the company has been involved in the realization of world-first and Japan-first services. Starting with its participation in the system development for the launch of NTT Docomo's "i-mode," the world's first mobile internet service, Tech Firm has accumulated experience and know-how in ICT utilization across a wide range of industries since the dawn of the mobile era. By combining cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT for data collection and analysis, and the application of drones, smart devices, and 3D technology to the metaverse, with the ICT solution knowledge and know-how accumulated in various industries, Tech Firm supports innovation such as DX in companies.

【Company Overview】

Company Name: Tech Firm Co., Ltd.

Location: Tokyo Opera City Tower 23F, 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Shingo Chihara, President and Representative Director

Established: 2015

Capital: 100 million yen (as of the end of June 2025)

URL: https://www.techfirm.co.jp/

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