Japan Underwater Drone Association Announces Affiliation with Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (ENAA)

The Japan Underwater Drone Association (headquartered in Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yasuhiro Kobayashi; Secretariat operated by Space One Co., Ltd.) announces its affiliation with the Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (ENAA) effective July 2026.

Through this affiliation, the association will leverage ENAA’s network of approximately 250 member companies and organizations to strengthen collaboration with the engineering industry, advancing the sophistication of underwater drone applications in infrastructure inspection, cultivating skilled personnel, and fostering new industrial applications.

▪️ Background of the Affiliation

Across Japan, underwater and waterfront infrastructure such as ports, dams, bridges, and water supply systems are aging. At the same time, the inspection and survey workforce—primarily professional divers—faces severe challenges due to aging and a shortage of new talent. Underwater drones (ROVs) are rapidly expanding into various fields, including infrastructure inspection, as a safe and efficient technology that enables underwater observation without requiring human divers.

The Japan Underwater Drone Association has been actively promoting the safe adoption of underwater drones and cultivating skilled operators through certification programs and the nationwide expansion of training schools.

By joining ENAA, an organization that supports the advancement of Japan’s engineering industry—particularly in plant and infrastructure sectors—the association aims to strengthen industry networks and further accelerate technology deployment and talent development aligned with real-world field needs.

Objectives and Expected Benefits of the Affiliation

Strengthening Collaboration in Infrastructure Inspection

Through information exchange with engineering companies, promote the advancement and standardization of inspection and survey methods using underwater drones.

Enhancing Talent Development

Incorporate expertise from the engineering sector to strengthen training systems for underwater drone operators capable of contributing in real industrial settings.

Accelerating Social Implementation of Technology

Bridge actual field challenges with technological solutions to promote industrial applications of underwater drones.

Research and Information Dissemination

Participate in research on infrastructure maintenance and cross-industry information sharing initiatives.

Future Outlook

Moving forward, the association will engage in information and technical exchanges with ENAA’s member companies and organizations to understand field-specific challenges and needs, and will actively propose new inspection and survey methodologies utilizing underwater drones.

Particularly, the association aims to collaborate in the following areas:

- Inspection of infrastructure such as ports, rivers, dams, and bridges

- Underwater surveys of plants, power generation facilities, and energy-related equipment

- Marine energy fields, including offshore wind power generation

- Marine development, environmental surveys, and fisheries

- Disaster prevention, emergency response, and collaboration with local governments

- Creation of new services and businesses utilizing underwater drones

By leveraging the network of approximately 250 member companies and organizations, the association will promote cross-sector collaboration to expand the application areas of underwater drones and accelerate their social implementation.

Additionally, the association will share its accumulated knowledge and expertise in underwater drone operations and talent development to contribute to the safe and effective adoption of underwater drones within the engineering industry.

Lecture on fundamental knowledge and safe operation Underwater drone-based plant inspection

Statement from the Representative

Yasuhiro Kobayashi, Representative Director, Japan Underwater Drone Association

Thoughts on ENAA Affiliation and Future Vision

We are deeply honored to have joined the Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (ENAA). Infrastructure aging and the shortage of inspection personnel are critical social challenges facing Japan, and we believe the role of underwater drones in addressing these issues will only grow in importance. Through collaboration with leading engineering industry professionals, we aim to advance practical technology applications and talent development that truly serve field needs. Together with ENAA’s approximately 250 member companies and organizations, we will nurture new technologies, services, and human resources, contributing to the further development of the underwater drone industry.