Korean drone delivery start-up UTM begins innovation in the sky by entering Malaysia

The first step to the future industry
PABLO AIR was established in 2018 with a big dream to lead the global unmanned aerial vehicle market. Starting with our own developed technology for drone swarm flight, PABLO AIR was the first in the Korean market to host 100 drones. Meanwhile, it successfully attracted seed funding from SM Entertainment’s general producer Lee Soo-man, who is a pioneer in K-pop cultural content. It was the great foundation for the growth of PABLO AIR. Thanks to this, it exported drones for swarm flight and related equipment to Lebanon for the first time in Korea, which was recognized for its own value as the first Korean platform combining technology and culture.

From swarm flight to logistics delivery
PABLO AIR began its domestic business in earnest. In November 2019, it recorded the longest drone logistics delivery of 57.514 km from one port to the other for 1 hour and 56 minutes. In November 2020 which was a year after the demonstration, PABLO AIR renewed its record with 80.6 km flight distance, having two drones delivering to two islands simultaneously. On the other hand, to prove its software safety, in March 2020, the self-developed swarm drone software acquired the 1st degree of the Good Software (GS) certification. With this proven technology and its own developed drone hardware, 303 drones were lifted into the sky at KIA’s new logo unveiling even to emit sparks. It was recorded to the Guinness Book of World Record in the field of ‘Most unmanned aerial vehicles launching fireworks simultaneously. In June of the same year, in the ‘K-Drone System Demonstration Project’ that was promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Incheon Airport became PABLO AIR’s partner to integrate its system into the air traffic management system in Incheon Airport. PABLO AIR will be demonstrating it this November. To sustain these numerous projects and pioneer the market, in July of this year, PABLO AIR closed the pre-series B funding about 8 million dollars USD and it is making its footprint to move forward.

For K-Drone to take off in the world
PABLO AIR who has been recognized for its value and vision in Korea has set out to expand its business overseas. PABLO AIR initiated its footprint for the global market, admitted to MaGIC GAP Cohort 05 program. The MaGIC program navigated how it might look like for PABLO AIR’s Malaysia market entrance and global expansion. Especially when PABLO AIR attracted pre-series B funding, it provided specific ASEAN market expansion initiated by the Malaysian market. In August 2021, an MOU was signed with local companies including logistics company, unmanned delivery box developer, and Arizona Aerospace Association in Arizona, USA. Moreover, a drone station developer, EVA, will collaborate for R&D development to demonstrate a project in New York, solidifying its presence in the states. In addition, it took the lead in leading the future industry by winning second place in the operation category at the AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards in the states with its own developed real-time control system for smart mobility called “PAMNet”.

Vision we draw
PABLO AIR named after Pablo Picasso who brought innovation in the art world intends to present a new direction and development to the drone industry as if we draw a picture on a blank sheet of paper. Starting with swarm flight, it aims to expand beyond drone delivery to a UTM business that is responsible for the safety of the future aviation industry. In addition, as a platform solution provider that controls smart mobility in land, sea, and air, it will lead the development of the smart mobility industry.

This content is provided by Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC).

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