23 June 2026, Amsterdam, Netherlands - Soliton Systems K.K. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote and implement remote teleoperation technology for construction machinery in Ukraine. This new partnership aims to accelerate Ukraine’s recovery by introducing advanced remote construction technology that allows machinery to be operated from a safe distance. The announcement was made alongside a broader Statement of Intent (SOI) between the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the UNDP, signed on June 11, 2026, at the United Nations University Headquarters in Tokyo. The SOI provides a framework for Japanese public and private organizations to support infrastructure recovery in Ukraine, and it is under this framework that Soliton, as one of the participating private-sector partners, is officially beginning its collaboration with the UNDP to bring this technology to the field.
From left: UNDP Representative Office in Tokyo, Hideko Hadzialic, Ukrainian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan Yurii Rutvinov, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma, Deputy Minister for Development Projects Kenichi Kawamura, Executive Officer of Kobelco Construction Machinery Co.,Ltd. Koji Yamashita, Executive Officer Soliton Systems KK. Shinya Hyakutake
The Challenges Facing Ukraine’s Reconstruction
Ukraine currently faces an unprecedented demand for rebuilding infrastructure, but the efforts are heavily restricted by severe labor shortages and the need to operate within hazardous working conditions. Reconstruction sites are often plagued by dangers like unexploded ordnance and asbestos, making worker safety a critical concern. By implementing remote operation technology, operators can control heavy machinery safely over standard communication networks from remote locations. This not only removes workers from danger zones but also opens new employment opportunities for a diverse workforce, including women and individuals who have been injured in the conflict.
UNDP’s debris management activities in Ukraine began in 2022 as an emergency response in communities affected by the full-scale invasion. By 2025, these efforts had evolved into a comprehensive programme supporting 26 communities across eight regions, making it one of the largest UNDP debris management operations globally.
Beyond debris clearance, the program supports the Government of Ukraine, local authorities, and communities by providing specialized equipment, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and advancing sustainable approaches to debris collection, recycling, reuse, and disposal.
Proven Success in the Field
Soliton has been actively involved in supporting Ukraine since March 2025 as part of the Japan Ukraine Platform on the Infrastructure Technology for Recovery and Reconstruction, an initiative led by the Japanese government.
Following a public private field survey in July 2025, Soliton conducted a live demonstration of its remote construction capabilities in Kyiv in October 2025. By bonding multiple local LTE networks, Soliton achieved stable, real time video transmission and control signals. This allowed operators at a control center on the campus of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute to smoothly control construction machinery located approximately 25 kilometers away. Local operators, including women, successfully mastered the equipment after just a few hours of training, proving that the technology is highly adaptable and ready for local deployment.
Osamu Kamata President & CEO of Soliton System KK stated "Reconstruction must go hand in hand with the safety of the people carrying it out. Through this collaboration with the UNDP, we hope to contribute to a safe and inclusive recovery in Ukraine by bringing the remote operation technology we developed in Japan directly to the field."
Looking to the Future
Japan is currently leading the global shift toward automated and unmanned construction work. Soliton’s “Zao” series, an ultra-low latency video transmission system designed for long distance remote control, uses proprietary technology that can be retrofitted onto existing machinery without major modifications. Moving forward under this new agreement, Soliton will work closely with the UNDP and local Ukrainian stakeholders to roll out the technology in phases. By matching advanced Japanese communication systems with urgent local needs on the ground, Soliton remains committed to driving safe, efficient, and innovative recovery efforts.
About Soliton Systems
Soliton Systems specializes in live streaming, teleoperation technology, and IT security solutions, shaping the future of remote operations across various industries, including construction, surveillance, and government organizations. Soliton’s flagship Zao appliance-based integrated solutions utilize proprietary protocols to provide reliable, ultra-low latency video streaming over cellular networks, enabling the remote operation of unmanned vehicles and heavy machinery used in construction.
Soliton Systems Europe N.V.
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