Rakuten Drone Launches AI Exterior Wall Inspection Service

Tokyo, Japan - Rakuten Drone has introduced a drone-based building inspection service that employs artificial intelligence to detect structural defects in exterior walls.

The service is intended to address issues associated with Japan's aging building infrastructure and compliance with government safety reporting requirements.

The service, called "AI Exterior Wall Inspection," analyzes visible and infrared drone-captured images to identify cracks and signs of deterioration.

According to the company, these assessments have traditionally been performed manually by trained specialists.

Pricing begins at JPY 150 per square meter, excluding tax. Final costs are determined by building conditions and the specific service options selected.

A trial conducted at Palette Kumoji, a commercial complex in Naha, Okinawa, reported a 48 percent reduction in image analysis time compared with manual methods, using a dataset of 2,420 visible-light images.

As part of the service workflow, drone operators photograph the building's exterior. The AI system then identifies potential defects based on the collected imagery.

Human staff subsequently review the AI's results and independently assess infrared data to detect internal issues, such as water infiltration or material delamination.

The process concludes with the issuance of a standardized inspection report.

Clients may retain a registered architect to oversee the reporting phase if desired.

The service is designed to meet periodic inspection obligations under Article 12 of Japan's Building Standards Act, which requires owners of certain buildings to submit regular safety assessments to local governments.

Since its founding in 2016, the company has completed more than 800 building inspections between April 2017 and December 2025.

The company intends to make its image analysis and report generation tools available to external drone operators in the future.