XPRIZE Pronounces Finalists for Rainforest Competition
by DRONELIFE Staff Author Ian J. McNabb
Recently, XPRIZE announced 6 finalists for its $10,000,000 Rainforest competition to develop recent biodiversity assessment technologies, all featuring using UAV technology and drones to enhance scientific research and conservation in these increasingly endangered ecosystems.
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As XPRIZE stated of their press release, “Successful competing teams must exhibit their technology’s scalability to measurably improve biodiversity monitoring, and include a process to enhance autonomous and rapid data integration that gives unprecedented levels of detail in real time”. Of their press release, Peter Houlihan, EVP of Biodiversity and Conservation for Xprize, stated, “We cannot effectively protect what we cannot accurately measure and understand. I’m extremely encouraged by the advancements these teams have made to develop recent, more rapid ways of measuring biodiversity that may improve conservation efforts worldwide.”
The ultimate teams were chosen after a 24-hour live test within the forests of Singapore, where they were tested on their ability to capture not only images, but bioacoustics, DNA samples, and physical material. They include the Brazilian Team, based out of São Paulo, Brazil, whose design integrates drones mounted with pruners designed to assemble environmental DNA (eDNA), alongside a sensor array and ground robotics. A team from ETH Zurich, Biodivx, developed a drone solution integrated with “backpack tech” designed to scalably and affordably scan complex ecosystems with AI and citizen science. Map Of Life, a team based out of Latest Haven, Connecticut, unveiled their fleet-based semi-autonomous drone model, fitted with cameras and bioacoustic sensors. Windfall Plus, from Barcelona, Spain, offered up their DROP platform, (Deep-Rainforest Operational Platform), a low-cost sensor solution delivered by drones designed specifically to investigate otherwise difficult-to-reach cover zones using AI. Illinois-based Welcome To The Jungle is using their drone-delivered audiovisual sensors, which may easily be retrieved, to concentrate on birds, combined with aerial evaluation. Finally, Colorado-based Team Waponi unveiled their mesh-based “Limelight” system, which after being delivered by drone, lowers itself to the forest floor.
XPRIZE hopes that this contest spurs further innovation in the case of biodiversity mapping, which is important to each understanding and protecting vulnerable ecosystems. The ultimate phase of the competition will occur next 12 months in a yet-to-be-announced distant location, where teams can have 24 hours to scan 100 hectares of tropical rainforest, after which compete to provide probably the most impactful insights in 48 hours.
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