Wingcopter long-range drones are in use for aerial surveying in Japan

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In today’s world, modern technologies play an increasingly important role in addressing complex challenges such as disaster relief and environmental surveying. Especially in geographically challenging areas like those found in Japan, the application of precise and robust aerial surveying methods is essential. The collaboration between ITOCHU Corporation, PASCO Corporation, YellowScan Japan Co., Ltd., and Wingcopter GmbH marks a significant step towards the innovative and effective use of long-range drones specifically designed for the difficult terrain and environmental conditions in Japan.

Advanced surveying technology for challenging terrain

Japan is characterized by its diverse and challenging terrain, with approximately 70% being mountainous and hilly. These unique topographical features significantly complicate conventional surveying methods when it comes to collecting precise and comprehensive data across large land areas. Human teams and manned aircraft often reach their limits in this task, whether due to safety risks or limited efficiency. This is where long-range drones, such as the Wingcopter 198, come into play. With their fixed wings, they offer a significantly greater range and improved flight stability than conventional multicopter drones.

The system proves invaluable, particularly for creating hazard maps and monitoring ground deformation. It allows not only for precise prevention of potential disasters, but also for rapid and effective damage assessment after an event, as well as support in planning recovery measures. The combination of automated data acquisition and long flight duration enables the collection of large-scale data sets in challenging terrain.

Innovative integration of LiDAR technology with the Wingcopter 198

One of the key elements of this cooperation is the integration of YellowScan Japan’s highly advanced LiDAR scanner “VOYAGER” onto the Wingcopter 198 long-range drone. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) enables the capture of terrain data with exceptional detail and precision, which is essential for reliable decision support in disaster prevention and management.

PASCO Corporation contributes its extensive experience in aerial surveying to this collaboration, ensuring safe and high-quality operational procedures. By combining Wingcopter’s innovative long-range drone with YellowScan’s precise scanner and PASCO’s in-depth data analysis expertise, data is generated that was previously only accessible through manned aircraft. In just 45 minutes, it is possible to survey more than 1,000 hectares, simultaneously capturing high-resolution RGB data alongside LiDAR. The result is dense, highly precise point clouds suitable for the most demanding applications in surveying technology.

Importance of automated aerial surveying for sustainability and disaster risk reduction

The increased automation of surveying processes significantly relieves the burden on skilled workers and saves considerable personnel resources. It supports sustainable development in the geoinformation sector by increasing efficiency while simultaneously reducing potential risks. This proves to be a crucial advantage, especially when responding quickly to natural disasters.

The developed systems not only enable lower-risk operations but also increase the safety of the teams involved, as fewer people need to venture into dangerous regions. Furthermore, continuous data collection allows for improved monitoring and preventative analysis, enabling early responses to environmental changes and emerging hazards.

The use of these technologies thus makes a significant contribution to mitigating the impact of disasters and strengthening resilience against future threats. Furthermore, the partnership fosters a surge of innovation in the surveying industry, with effects extending far beyond Japan.

Conclusion: Hazard prevention, damage assessment and reconstruction planning after natural disasters

The collaboration between ITOCHU, PASCO, YellowScan Japan, and Wingcopter represents a milestone in the use of innovative drone and LiDAR technologies for aerial surveying and disaster management in Japan. The targeted deployment of long-range drones like the Wingcopter 198 and the high-precision VOYAGER LiDAR technology addresses the challenge of efficiently and accurately mapping large and complex terrains.

The result is a significant improvement in the possibilities for hazard prevention, damage assessment, and reconstruction planning after natural disasters. At the same time, this technology enables automated, time-saving, and safe surveying, which makes a significant contribution to sustainable development and risk minimization.

For those of you dealing with the demands of modern geodata management and disaster management, this progress means a significant increase in efficiency and security. The interplay of state-of-the-art hardware and software, combined with the long-standing expertise of our partner companies, forms a foundation that extends far beyond mere technology, creating genuine added value for society and the environment.