# Battery-Powered Transport Drones The NEC Passenger Drone Had a Successful Test Flight in Japan By Daniel Johnson | Published 2019-08-09 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nec-passenger-drone References: [engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2019/08/05/japan-passenger-drone-nec/) & [nec](https://www.nec.com/) The [NEC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/professional-monitor-lineup) passager drone underwent a test flight in Japan, during which a [quadcopter reached a 10-foot elevation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-walkers) for approximately one minute. The drone test was conducted within a safety cage, and for this test, no passengers were inside the drone. The test was conducted in Abiko, which is a Tokyo suburb. The NEC passenger drone features a [battery-powered design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wisk-aero-generation-6-evtol) and is scheduled for mass production beginning in 2026. NEC's drone weighs in at approximately 150 kilograms and is 3.9 meters in length, with a 3.7-meter width and a 1.3-meter height. NEC seems to have the support of the Japanese government for its drone, as it already has a permit for flights outside of testing buildings. Image Credit: Associated Press ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Battery-powered Drones for Passenger Transport:** Battery-powered drone passenger transport is gaining traction and companies like NEC are poised for mass production. - **Safe Testing Environment for Passenger Drones:** There is a need for safe testing environments for passenger drones to ensure safe passenger use. - **Government Support for Passenger Drones:** Government support for passenger drone technology is increasingly important to companies like NEC. ### Who This Affects Most - **Transportation:** Passenger drone technology represents a disruptive innovation for the transportation industry. - **Electric Vehicle Manufacturing:** The development of battery-powered passenger drones could represent a new market opportunity for electric vehicle manufacturing companies. - **Safety and Security:** Safe testing and implementation of passenger drone technology is a priority for companies and industries involved in safety and security. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Autonomous Cargo Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cargo-drones.md) - [All-Electric Passenger Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joby-aviation-inc.md) - [Autonomous VTOL Cargo Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vtol-cargo-drone.md) - [Heavy Payload-Accommodating Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firefly-drone.md) - [3D-Printing Drone Companies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neco-hp.md) - [Autonomous Electric Cargo Planes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pyka-pelican-cargo.md) - [Hydrogen-Powered Commercial Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrogenpowered-commercial-drone.md) - [Intercity Cargo Delivery Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dji-express.md) - [Ultrasonic Balloon-Borne Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blimp-drone.md)