Research and Development of an Obstacle Detection and Avoidance System

Factors contributing to helicopter collisions include contact with obstacles below or behind the aircraft that are not visible to the pilot, contact with linear obstacles such as power lines and wires that are difficult for the pilot to see, and contact with obstacles in poor visibility conditions such as rain or fog. Various safety devices are incorporated into helicopters, enabling them to detect a range of hazards. However, even with these devices, they may not cover all potential risks.
Therefore, SUBARU is conducting research and development on an obstacle detection and avoidance system that detects dangerous obstacles during flight, alerts pilots to hazards with intuitive displays and warning sounds, and enables them to safely avoid obstacles, with the aim of achieving zero helicopter accidents caused by collisions with obstacles.
In FYE March 2026, we commercialized a system that alerts pilots to obstacles around the aircraft during search and rescue missions. Currently, we are working on the next step, which involves detecting obstacles in poor visibility and detecting linear obstacles while the aircraft is moving forward. Furthermore, we aim to commercialize an autopilot system that automatically avoids obstacles when approaching them.

Steps to Achieving an Obstacle Detection and Avoidance System

Research on Lightning Avoidance Systems for Aircraft and Next-Generation Mobility

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the development of advanced air mobility—a project to revolutionize air transportation—including flying cars and drone deliveries, contributing to a potential increase in airborne mobility. However, as these kinds of mobility also take to the skies, approaching thunderclouds can lead to an increase in electric fields, raising the potential for lightning strikes. Modern aircraft are engineered to maintain safe flight even in the event of lightning strikes. Nevertheless, the areas impacted by lightning strikes necessitate repairs, prompting the pursuit of technologies that either mitigate damage or avoid lightning strikes. SUBARU is actively engaged in research aimed at avoiding lightning strikes, which can also be applied to advanced air mobility solutions.
Weather data may detect the distribution of thunderclouds, but accurately predicting where lightning will strike remains challenging. As a result, there is a growing need for aircraft themselves to possess systems capable of preemptively detecting and avoiding lightning. SUBARU partnered with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to conduct experiments and analyses on discharge characteristics concerning aircraft model simulations. This research revealed that the likelihood of a lightning strike may vary depending on the direction of the lightning, the angle of the aircraft, and the static electricity generated on the aircraft. In addition, an algorithm has been developed that uses sensor information installed on the aircraft to predict lightning strikes on the aircraft’s surface. Moving forward, the focus will be on verifying this algorithm and refining it to offer supportive information to pilots. Additionally, the aim is to develop and offer aircraft designed to avoid lightning strikes by controlling the aircraft’s state, encompassing advanced air mobility solutions.

Steps from Lightning Prediction to Lightning Avoidance

Proposed Revision of International Standards for Collision Avoidance of Unmanned Aircraft

Small unmanned aircraft, commonly referred to as drones, and larger, medium-sized unmanned aircraft are already being used widely in the agricultural sector and other areas, and are also expected to be used for transporting goods during disasters, searching for people in distress, and for logistics infrastructure. However, there have been reports of near misses between unmanned aircraft and manned aircraft such as medical helicopters in Japan, and how to avoid collisions with other aircraft is an urgent issue toward the safe use of these unmanned aircraft. Collision avoidance is also an indispensable technology for achieving flight beyond visual line of sight and flight over third parties, which are key elements for the social implementation of unmanned aircraft.
SUBARU, together with Japan Radio Co., Ltd. and ACSL Ltd. proposed the revision of international standards for the technical operation of collision avoidance procedures between unmanned aircraft and other aircraft, or between unmanned aircraft, based on the results of development in the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)’s Drones and Robots for Ecologically Sustainable Societies project, and this revised standard was adopted and issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
With the standardization of collision avoidance procedures, systems to detect and avoid other aircraft as a necessary means of avoidance, as well as standardization of testing methods, are expected to further ensure air safety.

Illustration of Developed Collision Avoidance Technology