08. January 2026
Japan Embarks On Cutting-Edge Disaster Management With Revolutionary Drone Survey System
The Integration of Advanced LiDAR Technology with Aerial Surveying in Japan: Enhancing Disaster Management and Infrastructure Planning
Japan’s mountainous landscape, covering approximately 70% of the country, poses significant challenges for traditional crewed surveys. The rugged terrain, coupled with harsh weather conditions, makes it difficult for human crews to access remote areas, thereby limiting their ability to collect accurate data. This is where drone-based surveying comes into play.
The Wingcopter 198, developed by Wingcopter GmbH, a leading manufacturer of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones, has been specifically designed to address these challenges. Its combination of VTOL capability with fixed-wing flight efficiency enables extended-range operations across complex terrain. This makes it an ideal solution for Japan’s mountainous regions.
To enhance the capabilities of the Wingcopter 198, YellowScan Japan Co., Ltd.’s VOYAGER LiDAR scanner will be integrated into the drone. This cutting-edge system combines LiDAR and RGB imagery to produce high-density, high-precision geospatial data. A single 45-minute flight can cover over 1,000 hectares, providing a comprehensive dataset for terrain analysis, hazard mapping, and ground deformation monitoring.
The integration of VOYAGER with the Wingcopter 198 represents a significant milestone in aerial LiDAR technology. By leveraging the strengths of both systems, this collaboration enables large-scale mapping missions that were previously unimaginable. This partnership is poised to revolutionize the way disaster management and infrastructure planning are approached in Japan.
The use of drone-based surveying provides several benefits for disaster management in Japan. Firstly, it allows for safer data collection in remote areas with challenging terrain. Secondly, it enables faster response times and more accurate assessments of damage and hazards. Finally, it reduces the need for manned aircraft, thereby minimizing risks to human life.
“Japan’s exposure to natural disasters is a growing concern,” said Steffen Schubkegel, Senior Key Account Manager at Wingcopter GmbH. “We are honored to work alongside ITOCHU, PASCO, and YellowScan – all recognized leaders in their respective fields – to develop the best possible aerial LiDAR solution for this demanding task.”
Beyond disaster management, the Wingcopter 198 with VOYAGER will also be applied to infrastructure planning and environmental monitoring tasks. By providing high-precision geospatial data, this system can help identify potential hazards and optimize infrastructure development projects.
The partnership between Wingcopter GmbH, ITOCHU Corporation, PASCO Corporation, and YellowScan Japan Co., Ltd. brings together expertise in drone technology, LiDAR scanning, and aerospace engineering. This synergy is driving innovation in the field of aerial surveying, enabling new applications and use cases for this cutting-edge technology.
“The collaboration encompasses survey planning, operational design, data acquisition, and evaluation,” said Takashi Shinazawa, Director & Senior Executive Officer Research & Development, Technology Strategy & Intellectual Property at PASCO Corporation. “Going forward, we will continue to work in close collaboration with Wingcopter GmbH and ITOCHU Corporation to address a wide range of societal challenges through the utilization of geospatial information.”
The integration of advanced LiDAR technology with aerial surveying has opened up new possibilities for disaster management, infrastructure planning, and environmental monitoring in Japan. The partnership represents a significant step forward in the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to address complex societal challenges.
As the use of drone-based surveying continues to grow, it is essential to prioritize research and development efforts to further enhance its capabilities. By doing so, we can unlock new applications for this technology, improving the efficiency and accuracy of disaster management, infrastructure planning, and environmental monitoring tasks in Japan and beyond.