Metro Weather Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Uji, Kyoto; President and CEO: Jun-ichi Furumoto; hereinafter “Metro Weather”) is proud to announce that the company newly decided for Expo Site Operation Sponsorship of Expo Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter “the Expo”) in support of the Expo’s theme: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.

During the Expo, Metro Weather will install its proprietary Doppler LiDAR to contribute to the safe and secure operation of the venue. As a  sponsor of Expo, the company will provide real-time wind speed and direction observation and forecasting data to support the safety of Advanced Air Mobility operation.

Provided: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

◼️Background and Purpose
Metro Weather’s mission is “Visualizing World Wind for Safety.” In anticipation of a drone-centric air mobility society, the company has been developing and deploying Doppler LiDAR systems that visualize wind condition in real time. This system is essential for ensuring the safety of aerial infrastructure affected by wind conditions.

Since 2021, Metro Weather has participated in NASA’s R&D projects and has conducted joint research and field demonstrations with various domestic and international organizations.

Metro Weather is leading the global deployment of Doppler LiDAR networks, starting in the Osaka Bay Area and urban districts. In April 2023, the first unit was installed on the rooftop of Asia and Pacific Trade Center (ATC) building with support from Osaka prefectural government (2023 energy industry creation promotion business subsidy energy industry creation promotion business subsidy) and the Osaka Business Development Agency [Software Industry Plaza TEQS]. In January 2024, the second unit was installed on the rooftop of Osaka Umeda Twin Towers South with cooperation from Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. These installations enable data fusion for more precise wind observations. We will continue expanding our observation network to acquire and deliver even more precise and actionable wind data.

Metro　Weather has been selected as the sponsor of Expo responsible for providing real-time wind speed and direction observation and forecasting data for the Expo. Through this initiative, we will contribute to the safe and secure operation of the venue, helping to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for all visitors.

Furthermore, as Kansai and Osaka advance toward becoming global leaders in drone and Advanced Air Mobility innovation, Metro Weather is proud to support this transformation. By leveraging our proprietary wind measurement technologies, we aim to control the wind and safeguard aerial safety—delivering essential infrastructure for the skies of tomorrow.

◼️About Doppler LiDAR
Doppler LiDAR is a type of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) that emits harmless infrared laser beams into the atmosphere. By detecting the reflection from microscopic airborne particles, it can measure wind direction and speed in three dimensions within a 15 km radius (maximum).

The proprietary technology achieves world-class performance in size, functionality, and cost. Compared to conventional systems, Metro Weather’s Doppler LiDAR doubles the measurement range (from 5-7 km to 12-13 km), reduces size and weight by 90%, and significantly lowers costs—making it accessible for broader applications. The Doppler LiDAR enables real-time, high-resolution visualization of dynamic wind conditions, supporting safe and efficient Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure.