When you hear “Subaru,” your mind likely conjures images of reliable, all-wheel-drive vehicles cruising down snowy roads. But this automotive giant has a surprising ace up its sleeve – a rich history in aerospace that’s propelling it to the forefront of drone safety technology.
Subaru’s Story
Subaru’s story begins over 90 years ago with the Nakajima Aircraft Company, a far cry from the car manufacturer we know today.
This aerospace legacy lives on in the company’s current structure: while one division produces the familiar Subaru vehicles, another continues to craft attack helicopters, UAVs for Japan’s Self Defence Force, training aircraft, and even critical components for Boeing’s 777 and 787 jets.
Subaru’s Safety Milestone
In a groundbreaking development last October, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accepted Subaru’s anti-collision standards for drones, elevating them to global prominence.
This achievement came through a collaboration with Japan Radio and NEDO, marking a significant milestone in Subaru’s foray into drone safety.
“The approval process was complex, but crucial,” explained Akihiro Yamane, General Manager of Subaru’s Aerospace Engineering Development Division. He emphasized the parallel between these drone safety protocols and traffic laws for ground vehicles, highlighting their importance for widespread drone adoption.
Subaru’s safety framework, which underwent a rigorous 3-4 year ISO approval process, outlines six key steps: constant obstacle monitoring, aircraft detection, evasive action, verification of approaching aircraft, resuming the original path, and continuing along the route.
This systematic approach aims to prevent incidents like the 2017 collision between a civilian UAV and a Black Hawk helicopter in New York, the 2018 mid-air collision of a UAV with a hot air balloon in Idaho, and the 2021 crash of a Cessna with a police drone in Ontario.
Interestingly, Subaru’s standards triumphed over a more detailed proposal from South Korea, thanks to their focus on simplicity and practicality.
A pivotal moment came when ISO subcommittee members witnessed a live demonstration of Subaru’s technology in Japan, which left a lasting impression.
With ISO endorsement secured, these standards now open doors for broader drone applications in fields such as medical supply transport, package delivery, mapping, and agriculture.
Subaru is poised to market its collision avoidance technology to a burgeoning global drone market, including industry leaders like DJI, Orqa, AeroVironment, and Joby.
The Future of Safety
Looking ahead, Yamane suggests that these safety standards should also apply to passenger drones and eVTOL aircraft, including Subaru’s own Air Mobility Concept. This forward-thinking approach aims to create safer skies for all aerial vehicles.
From its origins as an aircraft manufacturer to becoming a trailblazer in drone safety, Subaru’s journey is a testament to its innovative spirit.
This unexpected pivot not only showcases the company’s diverse capabilities but also sets a new global benchmark for drone safety, proving that sometimes, the sky isn’t the limit – it’s just the beginning.
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