This drone can use digital data and machine learning to analyze the environment

CDM Smith is utilizing technology paired with drones to track and analyze surface changes.

"Sky Wave" is a custom plan integrating data collection, analysis and delivery to solve problems on the ground.

Rather than sending a team in to analyze a wetland, a drone can be sent in to the area to survey the land. LIDAR can be used, along with other technologies, to gather data on the ground such as vegetation growth and water depth.

The technology can also be utilized for mapping invasive species and detecting new buildings for post-disaster response.

Using digital data and machine learning allows the company to develop custom mapping tools to fit a companies needs. 

"This can be used by utilities, federal agencies and DOT's," said Andrew Reicks, GISP, CFM, data analysis and statistics at CDM Smith.

An example of the process, specifically for mapping invasive species, starts with aerial imagery and then moves to data processing.

The data can then be output via aerial photographs, 3D point cloud, digital elevation model's, canopy height models, multispectral orthophotographs, fractional vegetation coverage and normalized difference vegetation index.

The data outputs provide semi-automated supervised classification of habitats which in turn leads to the invasive species map.

Reicks stated that the drone can be outfitted with different equipment, sensors, cameras and radars to be outfitted for a wide range of applications.