ideaForge Partners Japan’s DMP to Power Next-Gen AI Drones, Accelerating India’s Global Deep-Tech Ascent
Editor 
ideaForge’s strategic alliance with Japan’s DMP marks a decisive step in scaling AI-powered autonomous drones globally, blending Indian UAV expertise with cutting-edge edge AI innovation.
In a strategic move that underscores India’s rising clout in the global deep-tech ecosystem, ideaForge Technology Limited has signed a landmark MoU with Japan-based Digital Media Professionals Inc. (DMP) to co-develop and deploy next-generation AI-powered drones. By combining ideaForge’s field-proven unmanned aerial systems with DMP’s advanced edge AI semiconductor technology, the partnership aims to unlock smarter, autonomous drone capabilities while paving the way for a strong market entry into Japan. The collaboration not only strengthens cross-border innovation between India and Japan but also positions both companies to capitalise on the rapidly expanding global demand for intelligent, mission-critical drone solutions.
Tapping into a High-Growth Global and Japanese Drone Market
The strategic partnership will enable ideaForge to develop next-gen Di1-powered AI drones and enter the Japanese market with DMP's support, marking a major step forward for India's deep-tech global expansion.
“Through this collaboration, we would be able to leverage DMP’s strong presence and understanding of the Japanese market to accelerate our global expansion initiatives and will provide smarter, more efficient, and sustainable autonomous drone systems that deliver real-time decision-making, extended endurance, and unmatched reliability in the most demanding environments.”
- Ankit Mehta, CEO and Co-founder, ideaForge Technology Ltd
Edge AI Integration to Power Autonomous Drone Capabilities
As the global drone market surges from USD 54.9 billion in 2024 to USD 117.6 billion by 2030, Japan’s market is slated to grow from USD 2.0 billion in 2025 to USD 5.1 billion by 2034. To enable this growth Edge AI is critical for drone-based autonomous solutions in defence, security & industrial applications. The Di1 edge AI SoC from DMP has FP4-based NPU for high-performance, low-power, 4-channel camera for 360-degree vision, and strong imagery, which works in tandem with ideaForge’s rugged, secure, autonomous, and resilient field-proven VTOL drones to perform robust autonomous flight in severe environments and complex terrains. Together, ideaForge’s UAS end-to-end expertise and DMP’s Physical AI arm bring smarter and safer autonomous systems for accelerated adoption.
Dual-Focus Collaboration: Technology Integration and Market Expansion
The partnership is focused on two key areas where ideaForge will provide the Di1 integration in its UAV platforms to enable new features, and DMP will be the Go To Market (GTM) partner for ideaForge’s drone solutions portfolio in Japan, enabling demonstrations, customer outreach, distribution, training, and after sales support.
“We are thrilled to partner with ideaForge, a global leader in mission-critical drones, to integrate our Di1 edge AI SoC into their next-generation UAV platforms.”
- Tatsuo Yamamoto, Chairman, President & CEO, Digital Media Professionals Inc.
Leadership Vision Driving Next-Gen Defence and Industrial Solutions
On this occasion Ankit Mehta, CEO and Co-founder, ideaForge Technology Ltd said, “Our vision at ideaForge is to build next-generation intelligent unmanned aircraft systems by seamlessly integrating advanced design, engineering, manufacturing capabilities, and cutting-edge AI technologies. This collaboration with DMP aligns perfectly with our broader strategy to develop high-performance, customizable AI for defence autonomy drones that efficiently address diverse global market needs—from defense surveillance and border security to industrial infrastructure inspection and precision agriculture. Through this collaboration, we would be able to leverage DMP’s strong presence and understanding of the Japanese market to accelerate our global expansion initiatives and will provide smarter, more efficient, and sustainable autonomous drone systems that deliver real-time decision-making, extended endurance, and unmatched reliability in the most demanding environments.”
DMP’s Role in Accelerating AI Deployment and Market Reach
Tatsuo Yamamoto, Chairman, President & CEO, Digital Media Professionals Inc., added, “We are thrilled to partner with ideaForge, a global leader in mission-critical drones, to integrate our Di1 edge AI SoC into their next-generation UAV platforms. This MOU accelerates Di1’s accelerated deployment while enabling DMP to bring ideaForge’s rugged, high-endurance, and resilient drones to Japan’s defence, security, and industrial markets. We will work together to create Physical AI-powered solutions that change the way drones operate in terms of safety, accuracy, and independence.”
Critical Milestone in Global Expansion Journey
This collaboration is a critical milestone in the global expansion of ideaForge, leveraging Indian deep-tech innovation and Japanese AI expertise to create mission-critical defence, security, and industrial drones for the Japanese market. ideaForge already has an established presence in the United States through its joint venture, First Forge Technology, focused on manufacturing and distribution in the region. By creating a flexible framework for joint development and market entry, the two companies are poised to capitalize on high-growth opportunities while pioneering sustainable, autonomous aviation technologies that transform resilience and efficiency in operations.
In a Nutshell…
By uniting India’s UAV innovation with Japan’s cutting-edge AI capabilities, this partnership sets the stage for a new era of intelligent, autonomous aviation. As ideaForge and DMP move from collaboration to deployment, they are not just expanding market reach—but redefining the future of mission-critical drone technology on a global scale.
