From Concept to Reality: Computer Vision Software for Early Wildfire Detection

We partnered with UrbanSky, an earth observation startup, to create a custom computer vision and aerospace engineering solution to catch wildfires before they happen. 

Problem:

Wildfires are one of the leading causes of death and land loss across the nation, not to mention the millions of dollars in federal and private property damage costs. In the summer of 2021 alone, wildfires scorched 3.6 million acres, a wake of destruction over 39 times the size of Synaptiq’s home base, Portland (OR). 

What can you learn from AI in Earth Observation & Safety? 

Why are creative computer vision solutions like this important, and how can they benefit you? 

Depending on where you live, wildfires may seem like just another natural disaster you hear about on the news. But, whether it be hurricanes, flooding, blizzards, or another unpredictable climate event, computer vision can keep you and your businesses safe. Synaptiq worked with UrbanSky to create a timely computer vision software to mitigate the wildfires that decimate the pacific northwest every summer, and support local firefighters in their efforts to keep residents safe. 

Computer vision solutions, while extremely powerful in this field of public safety, have applications that can take any business to the next level, from healthcare to construction. Every industry leader–or aspiring innovator–should learn to leverage computer vision to take their operations stratospheric. 

Solution:

Using our computer vision expertise, we developed a computer vision software that could rapidly analyze data from UrbanSky’s long-range sensors housed in stratospheric balloons. Our software collects and analyzes key wildfire indicators like temperature and geographic location. 

Outcome:

After three years of development, our partner UrbanSky is ready to publically take to the skies with their stratospheric balloons. Between their balloons and our software, they hope to reach companies and consumers alike interested in keeping their areas safe from natural disasters. 

HUMANKIND OF IMPACT

14,700 people each year will be injury-free because of computer-vision powered early wildfire detection.

9,000 more people each year will be able to start their new careers in America.

HUMANKIND OF IMPACT