# Earth Observations by Drones for a Sustainable Future - Event: NestGen ’22 - Published: March 3, 2022 - Length: 28:46 - Watch: https://nestgen.org/library/watch/VUOh4MvZFZQ/ > The transcript of a recorded NestGen session, for reading or for use with an AI tool. It comes from the video's > captions; automatic captions can mishear names and terms. ## About this session Learn how autonomous, crowdsourced drones are replacing satellites in collecting & scaling HD earth observation data across the globe. ## Transcript **[0:12]** Hello everyone in Sperry and hello everyone else. They are in session number 19 of NestGen 22, Earth observation using drones for a sustainable future. And here they will learn how collectively autonomous drones are replacing satellites and collecting and scaling high-definition Earth observation data around the world. Launching satellites into our ionosphere for data collection, research, and change detection has been a common practice in the scientific community. But several environmentalists have reported that debris shed from the hardware, which they call space junk, is dangerous for space stations and contributes to sky pollution. Furthermore, as more near- Earth orbits and low Earth orbits are privatized, the open and restricted distribution of this data becomes a challenge. So, aside from the primary uses of satellites, which are communication, weather reports, and navigation, collecting data with satellites is not always scalable or economical . Drones have been considered a viable alternative to satellites due to their low maintenance requirements, high availability, and high- quality cameras. As this **[1:17]** technology spreads around the world with more pilots and aerial automation systems , drones see great potential in the field of Earth observation. And who better to shed more light on this than our expert speaker Helena Samio, CEO and founder of Globy, a technology company with the mission of creating a better future with drones through the world's first " crowd-droning" platform? Helena firmly believes that the future of what is possible is already here and is passionate about using innovative technology and collaborations to boost global awareness. Helena is on Forbes' list of the 50 best women in technology in the world and was awarded the title of Swedish innovator of the year 2020, ranked among the top 100 young business leaders in Sweden and is among the women to watch in the drone industry. She was also nominated for digital influencer of the year and has been featured as the queen of drones on the BBC. Oh my God, I'm so happy to have you here with us, Helena. I'll hand you the microphone and stop sharing my screen. Thank **[2:20]** you so much, Swati, for that fantastic introduction, and it's truly an honor to be here with you all on NextGen today. Um, I'll share with you all how we 're conducting Earth observation using drones globally for a more sustainable future. Um, and the way we've decided to approach this is by creating the world's first crowdfunding platform . Uh, and it really is, uh, what the name suggests. It is a collective collaboration solution to be able to take advantage of all drones, ideally , that exist, and all drone operators, so that we can collect high- resolution, large-scale Earth observation. And as we all know, each individual drone image is very powerful, but obviously if we can, if we can really scale up drone image collection. The amount of drone images can tell us **[3:23]** even more information. So that's what we're doing at Crowd Droning. We are currently connected with over 5,400 drone operators in 102 countries who collect drone data on demand for our clients. And some of the milestones we have achieved by applying this concept so far are that we have been able to help 1.9 million people live in areas with reduced risk of malaria, 2.3 million people live in areas with reduced risk of water pollution, and we have increased access to clean energy for 1.2 million people. I'll tell you a little more about how this concept works, as well as go into a little more detail about the use cases where we 've applied Crowd Droning so far, and what Crowd Droning is really about is using the power of the crowd and their drones out there . So that we can enable organizations, corporations, and **[4:23]** researchers around the world to obtain high-resolution data in real time and, in doing so, make more informed decisions when they are able to identify what the world is really like. So Crowd Droning allows organizations to search, filter, and request drone data from 102 countries currently and to select what type of data they are requesting from these areas. From simply the raw data , so to speak, the JPEG or 3D or elevation maps, what a difficult word to pronounce sometimes, thermal data. and so on. And that request is then matched with the nearest drone operator in the country or the nearest drone operators, because many times we also have several operators and drones flying at the same time. And currently, as mentioned, we have drone operators in 102 countries by residence, but we also cover 151 **[5:29]** countries due to availability and legal capabilities to fly in more countries than one lives in. So, basically, what our platform allows organizations to do is search and filter among the drones and drone operators closest to the area from which they are requesting data . And then the nearest operator or operators accept the request, carry out that mission, collect the data, and then our customers can seamlessly access that information through an API integration directly into their own platform. Or, if our customers do not have that type of capability, then they can download the data separately. Currently, as mentioned, virtually any dataset produced by any type of common drone software is available through Crowddroning; Obviously, it depends on what the client has requested, and that is **[6:33]** the type of data the client can download and view. Obviously, the way we created this platform is to really solve the problem that, previously, it wasn't very scalable to use drone data on a global scale, because you would have to have connections with several providers, and the whole process of uploading and downloading data was quite time-consuming. So this is a truly automated way to be able to receive drone data from all over the world automatically. We are also providing easy integration with some of the major GIS and terrestrial data platforms out there, such as Google Earth, as well as ArcGIS and S3. Now I will delve a little deeper into some of the use cases where we are currently applying Crowddroning and how Crowddroning drones contribute to collecting Earth **[7:35]** observation data for different types of applications in these areas. We are working in the field of Earth observation, but within this field there are various sectors where we collect data, mainly for health, water, the environment and infrastructure. One of our use cases in the health sector is that we are currently providing malaria vector control data in Malawi to researchers, who are identifying malaria hotspots and risk zones using information obtained from Crowddroning. The way it works is that previous research has shown that if a drone image contains three different types of visual features related to water levels, color, and movement, in addition to vegetation levels. Then, they can more accurately **[8:35]** identify where mosquito larvae lay their eggs . And in doing so, be able to pinpoint where national malaria vector control efforts should be directed, enabling the fumigation and drainage of these areas and, ultimately , the prevention of malaria outbreaks in these zones. This method was previously used by traveling by car to collect and take water samples. Now we can visualize what a typical malaria breeding ground looks like and fly drones over lake areas to collect this data at a much greater speed and scale . So that this type of information can reach decision- makers more quickly. And in doing so, be able to act more quickly and identify areas at risk at a much faster rate. We are also currently applying "crowd-droning" in Sweden, where we monitor **[9:36]** water pollution , such as oil spills and algae blooms. And so, we can warn water purification plants about certain types of changes that are coming, ensuring that communities have access to safe drinking water, regardless of the type of contamination that is directed towards them. Before "crowd-droning", this type of information was obtained from satellite data. But the problem they have observed with satellite data is that it is often not in real time and frequently lacks the high resolution needed to truly identify some of those characteristics in the water. Therefore, the high resolution and temporal aspect make drone data an excellent complement to satellites. And that's what this is all really about. It is not necessarily about replacing satellites with drone data, as they have different **[10:37]** uses and purposes. Satellites are, obviously, the main source of information. But this could be a really magnificent complement to the satellites. When you need higher resolution or more real-time data to analyze satellite images and perhaps observe certain movements heading towards some water purification plants. But you can't really determine from satellite data what those movements imply. Then you can send drones using "crowd-droning" to those selected points and obtain high-resolution, real-time data to make more informed decisions. We also carry out inspections of solar parks in Cyprus, and furthermore, we do monitoring and planning of solar parks in order to provide information on the most suitable areas to build new parks , depending on the angles and, obviously, the best position for the solar parks to be located **[11:42]** so that they can provide the most energy. And last but not least, we also carry out many prevention and response tasks in the face of natural disasters. This is an example from Fiji, where we monitor damage after storms, cyclones, and hurricanes. By doing so, we can inform decision-makers, such as the UN, about where the greatest damage occurred and where we should prioritize relief efforts, as well as ensure that infrastructure companies are informed about the type of damage they have suffered. There may have been destroyed roads or collapsed bridges, among other things. We are also applying this from a prevention perspective. So we warn about droughts before they turn into wildfires or we monitor water levels over time so we can warn about potential floods. These are some of the use cases of how **[12:48]** "crowd-owning" is making a difference today. But the impact and use cases are really growing day by day. And so does the number of drones and operators that are part of " crowd-owning". Every day we have new collaborators joining the movement and it's truly a fascinating journey to be a part of. Of course, there is potential to scale and automate even further in the future, when regulatory frameworks allow it. But there's also a great opportunity to make a difference with your drone today, and that's possible thanks to "crowd-owning". So, it really is a win-win situation. Well, both the drone operators who can receive paid flight jobs by flying for Globy's crowdsourcing, being able to help their own communities with climate data, and also our customers who can access that data and, in doing so, make more informed **[13:52]** decisions that benefit their operations. So I'd like to conclude the session and open the floor for any questions the audience may have. Brilliant. Thank you so much for that excellent presentation. I understand that, as you said, drone data is more of a complementary solution to satellites than a complete replacement. Indeed. Yes. Very revealing. A very, very good presentation. I can clearly see that, as you try to scale this global movement, I suppose automation can somehow help humans collect and process huge volumes of data as they continue to grow, in a faster and simpler way. And yes, I suppose that operators around the world, having access to this data, can make their own local contributions to building this intricate map which is very, very interesting, so I guess we'll wait a little while for the questions to come in. Absolutely. And yes, until then, I suppose you could maybe **[14:58]** show us some videos if you have them. But if not, I actually have a question. Do you fly drones yourself or only...? Yes. No, I fly myself and it's funny. He used to say that before he started the drone company, that was actually when he flew drones most frequently. And now it's more about making sure my time and focus are directed towards coordinating the company and, obviously, the team at headquarters here in Stockholm, but also all our operators around the world. So my own time to fly has been a little more limited these days. But I've been a drone pilot for seven years. So I try to get back to basics basically whenever time allows. And I think it's also great to be able to keep up with some of the latest developments and simply return to the passion that motivated me to start **[16:01]** Globy in the first place. Well, I'm looking for some interesting videos to show you in the meantime. Let's see what we can find around here. Brilliant. And that will probably generate some conversations. Yes. Let me see. I'm going to play a video and we'll see if any questions come up. Yes of course. I'm also checking our social media and Discord in case there are any questions. So, yes, thousands of drones are flying through our skies every day. Never before have we had access to so much data. At Globy we thought: what if we could harness all these drones and use the data they capture to help prevent and respond to disasters? And that's what we did. We **[17:06]** recently launched Crowd Droning by Globy, a one-of-a-kind digital platform that makes drone data available in a completely new way and on an unprecedented scale, connecting drone pilots around the world with customers who need relevant data. Today, more than 3,700 drone pilots in over 70 countries are connected to Crowd Droning by Globy, ready to collect data on demand. Hi, I'm Dumi and I'm a drone pilot for Globy. At Globy, we firmly believe that the future of what's possible is already here. I am passionate about using innovative technology and collaborations to demonstrate this. Globy has been recognized time and again by leading global publications, such as Forbes and the BBC, as an innovator and a company ahead of its time. Crowd Droning by Globy allows our clients, from humanitarian organizations to leading corporations, to request drone data on a global scale with just a few clicks. What **[18:09]** used to be a complex process for our customers is now reduced to the simplicity of ordering an Uber. As an added benefit, Crowd Droning by Globy also helps reduce carbon dioxide, since all our drones are battery-powered, and boosts the global collaborative economy by offering paid freelance work to drone pilots worldwide. I grew up living in five different countries. When I lived in Zambia, I saw freelance drone pilots working on photography projects for National Geographic . I realized that these photographs could also be used as data, not just as beautiful images. So I started connecting drone pilots who wanted to be part of generating a social impact around the world. Today, that has become a global movement and I am proud to say that Globy has begun to change the way the world views drones. The potential impact and economic potential of drones are limitless, or as we like to say: the sky is not the limit. **[19:11]** We hope you'll want to join us on this journey to create a better future with amazing things. Yes. Well, I've been checking the chat here a bit. I do n't see any questions yet, but I do see some good comments about the session. It's always fantastic to see that. So, let me know if you or the team have any questions. Yes, I see, I see a question in the questions and answers section. Yes. He asks how he sees these new approaches and business models taking into account sustainable goals and the problems of the masses, solving them through these drone initiatives. Let me see, and also problems of the masses. Yes. I really think this is a great question, because I believe one of the approaches here is to be able to innovate not only with technology, but also innovate in terms of the business model. And that's something we're doing as part of **[20:13]** the journey with crowd-owning. One of the problems we've seen among organizations and companies around the world that want to implement drone data or drones in general is that the price has been really difficult to identify. Especially if you need to collect data from several different providers or from several different countries. So what we're doing at Globe is making sure that customers can see and measure the price in a single unit. A few years ago, we had drone operators who set their prices per hectare, per square kilometer, per square meter, or per minute in the air, or per hour in the air. There were multiple different ways to set prices. And that has been one of the obstacles for large corporations that need data on a large scale: really identifying what they are paying for, and if we need a contract with 60 different suppliers, are we going to have 60 different pricing methods ? So **[21:15]** we've left all those multiple price units behind. We have switched to a single unit of price, the megabyte, because at the end of the day, the customer doesn't care how long the drone has been in the air or necessarily the size of the area; They care about the data they obtain and the insights they can generate based on that data. That's why we set the price per megabyte, to make it easier for the customer to understand that, obviously, the more data and megabytes they buy, the more expensive it becomes, but it's a transition in progress. So price and business model are definitely a key area. And also, we're trying to move a bit more from sudden, sporadic, on-demand orders to more subscription-based data, because we obviously see that with much of the Earth observation data we collect for our clients, it makes sense to be able to compare and monitor it over time. So , uh, I think, as you know, as the world becomes a little more aware and continues to understand that these are, you know, ideas that drones can provide...tried...uh, they will go from being **[22:15]** curious and trying it once to becoming, uh, to becoming recurring subscription customers , uh, customers actually. And I think, you know, not least now when we know we need to focus a lot on the weather, we need to be more informed, we need to monitor, we need to measure. There are quite a few, uh, great initiatives started by governments globally and organizations, corporations too, to really be a part of that. So yes, I do believe that the need for different types of climate data will continue to grow, along with the world's understanding that drones are one of the tools from which you can really obtain this type of essential data. Okay, so I see another great question here: "Do you think full autonomy, including docking stations, will help your customers?" "Maybe the technology isn't ready to have a box of drones in a random location for you to observe." Yes, another great question. So, uh, I definitely think we'll have , we'll have a mix of both. Uh, yes, I do think that for certain customers and certain use cases, **[23:17]** fully autonomous docking stations will definitely make sense, especially if you have a closed area that is not public and needs to be monitored frequently. Uh, I think that's where docking stations, autonomous docking stations, will make a lot of sense. But if you need to fly in slightly more complex areas that aren't so enclosed, or if you don't need that frequent data collection, for example, we know that cell tower monitoring might not be the smartest business model if you have a docking station on each tower, because the scans you need are probably only one per year, or if a specific event has occurred, like a natural disaster, it's better to use a multitude of drones that can move around and scan many towers with a single drone, so to speak. And of course, you know, we also have the legal complexities. I think it's obviously something that's going to change, but it wo n't change overnight. So I **[24:20]** think we're moving towards a future where docking stations will make sense for some use cases , and in other cases it will make more sense to have the operator present. But it's also important to know that most of our operators fly autonomously. And that's why his main job isn't actually flying the drone . Their main job is to get the drones to where they need to do the work, basically, and also be able to follow regulations and be able to take control if necessary. So the crowd with their drones is obviously there to fly them , but they're also there to provide the drones in the first place , and I think it's quite a few years before we see docking stations everywhere data is needed. So I think we'll see a mix in the foreseeable future. Brilliant. That was actually a very good answer, and yes, it makes sense. So, I have **[25:25]** a question. Is there a selection process that a pilot must go through to become a data collector? To register as a data collector, it's actually very easy; you just have to answer a few questions and you become part of the list. But to be fully verified to fly, you need to provide more information and be part of a broader selection process. But, before you are selected for your first mission, we may also request additional requirements that might be necessary depending on the specific location or particular requirements of that flight. So it's a step-by- step process, but being able to join the movement and be taken into account is, you know, pretty simple. So yes, it's an easy registration process at globy.com , where you just enter your key information and then complete your profile step by step to improve your chances of being selected for a mission. That's great. So, you also see drone enthusiasts and hobbyists . Yes, that's **[26:29]** a complicated question because we really encourage fans and enthusiasts to join in too, but for various reasons we can't fully integrate them into every mission. From a legal perspective, we want everyone to be insured. We want everyone to have the necessary permits. But also from a business perspective, it is more difficult to carry out transactions between companies and individuals. Therefore, B2B transactions are preferred . So, from both a legal and a commercial perspective, we want to work primarily with other drone operators; It could be a one- person business, sure, but ideally it should be a company that meets all the requirements for collaboration. OK. Alright. Very good. That 's great. I suppose our session has come to an end and, **[27:30]** honestly, I sincerely respect what you are doing for the environment and for global health. I'm sure that by now the audience will have felt the same. I myself am somewhat of an environmentalist. I try to live as sustainably as possible. I try to consume consciously, read about alternatives to traditional energy sources, and many other things. And yes, it really was a lovely session, Helena. I can't wait to find out more about Loi, and if the audience just joined, they can contact Helena; she'll give them her email address, right? Absolutely. I will make sure to provide the email address. So I'll make sure they have the contact information from both our website and our email. Well, you can definitely contact us if you have any questions or if you want to join the movement; We are here to help you achieve it and to collaborate in the future. So, well , thank you very much for having me here at Nesten today. It was a real **[28:35]** pleasure to be here, Jay. Yes, likewise. It was a pleasure having you. Thank you so much. Thank you.