(Yicai Global) July 17 -- Chinese logistics drone maker Antwork and Japan's Blue Innovation, which develops safe flight operating systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, will work together on a drone-based distribution service.

Testing will begin in Japan as early as October, Hangzhou-based Antwork said in a statement.

The four-year-old startup, whose investors include Panda Capital, Unity Ventures and Sequoia Capital, develops UAVs that can carry parcels weighing less than 6 kilograms and can fly distances of up to 20 kilometers. Superior weather resistance enables them to operate even on windy and rainy days.

Courier firms such as Alibaba's Cainiao Network Technology use Antwork's drones.