Itochu, Wingcopter’s authorized partner in Japan, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PASCO and YellowScan Japan to accelerate the practical deployment of long-range drone technology for aerial surveying in Japan. This forms the basis of a new collaboration on the operational use of Wingcopter’s fixed-wing VTOL drones for large-scale surveying applications in the Asian country, with a particular focus on disaster management.
Japan’s geography presents significant surveying challenges. About 70% of the country consists of mountainous and hilly terrain, characterized by steep slopes and short, fast-flowing rivers. In such environments, carrying out surveys with traditional ground teams or crewed aircraft can be costly and risky. Even conventional multicopter drones are often unsuitable, as their range and coverage limitations restrict their effectiveness over large or remote areas.
Fixed-wing drone platforms such as the Wingcopter 198 are designed to overcome these constraints by combining vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) with efficient long-range flight. Therefore, Wingcopter – through its authorized Japanese partner, Itochu – has signed an MOU with PASCO and YellowScan Japan to accelerate the use of drone-based surveying in Japan.
Under the MOU, YellowScan Japan’s Voyager Lidar scanner will be deployed on the Wingcopter 198. By integrating this sensor with PASCO’s extensive expertise in operational quality and safety in aerial surveying, the partners can carry out long-distance and large-area surveys that were previously difficult to achieve without manned aircraft.
Japan’s complex terrain makes it particularly difficult to gather information and assess damage in disaster-prone regions, where rapid coverage of large areas is essential. The partners will therefore initially focus on disaster-related applications. These include the creation of hazard maps and the monitoring of ground deformation as part of effective pre-disaster prevention, rapid information gathering and damage assessment in the event of a disaster, and the measurement of terrain changes to support recovery planning during post-disaster restoration.
According to Steffen Schubkegel, senior key account manager at Wingcopter, Japan’s geography and exposure to natural hazards call for highly reliable surveying solutions: “Japan’s challenging terrain and exposure to natural disasters require the most reliable and advanced surveying technologies available. We are honoured to work alongside Itochu, PASCO and YellowScan – all recognized leaders in their respective fields – to combine our expertise and develop the best possible aerial Lidar solution for this demanding task.”
In a single flight of up to 45 minutes, the Wingcopter 198 can scan more than 1,000 hectares, simultaneously capturing Lidar and RGB data, and delivering high point density and precision suitable for demanding professional applications.
Beyond its technical capabilities, the collaboration is positioned as a step towards greater automation and labour savings in surveying workflows. By reducing the need for crewed flights and extensive field operations, the partners aim to contribute to sustainable development in the surveying industry while supporting faster and safer responses to natural disasters.
From the perspective of Itochu, the integration directly addresses long-standing limitations of conventional drone platforms. Masaharu Sato, deputy general manager of the Aerospace Department at Itochu Corporation, stated: “By equipping the Wingcopter 198 with the industry-leading Voyager laser scanner, this collaboration overcomes the range and coverage limitations of traditional multicopters. Our goal is to foster innovation that automates surveying workflows and reduces labour requirements, ensuring swifter responses to natural disasters and minimizing associated risks.”
PASCO emphasized that the cooperation builds on decades of experience in aerial data acquisition and operational design. Reflecting on the scope of the project, Takashi Shinazawa, director & senior executive officer research & development, technology strategy & intellectual property at PASCO, explained: “Based on PASCO’s more than 70 years of experience and expertise in aerial surveying since its founding, this POC encompassed survey planning, operational design, data acquisition and evaluation. Going forward, we will continue to work in close collaboration with Wingcopter and Itochu to address a wide range of societal challenges through the utilization of geospatial information.”
For YellowScan, the partnership represents a further step in extending the boundaries of professional aerial surveying. Shinji Inaba, general manager of YellowScan Japan, highlighted the impact of combining high-end Lidar with a long-range VTOL platform: “This unique combination of a high-end Lidar solution and a long-range VTOL platform pushes the limits of drone surveying, enabling professionals to map multi-hectare areas in a fraction of the time previously required. Through such partnerships, YellowScan continues to support professionals worldwide and to drive innovation further.”
Together, the partners see the collaboration as a foundation for expanding the use of long-range drone-based Lidar surveying in Japan, supporting both disaster risk reduction and more efficient, large-scale geospatial data collection.
