XPRIZE Reveals Finalists for Rainforest Competition: Innovative Applications of Drones in Conservation
image: Arnie Chou, via Pexels
XPRIZE Announces Finalists for Rainforest Competition
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb
Recently, XPRIZE announced 6 finalists for its $10,000,000 Rainforest competition to develop new biodiversity assessment technologies, all featuring the use of UAV technology and drones to improve scientific research and conservation in these increasingly endangered ecosystems.
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As XPRIZE stated in their press release, “Successful competing teams must demonstrate their technology’s scalability to measurably improve biodiversity monitoring, and include a process to improve autonomous and rapid data integration that provides unprecedented levels of detail in real time”. In 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 new, more rapid ways of measuring biodiversity that can improve conservation efforts worldwide.”
The final teams were selected after a 24-hour live test in 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 gather 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 New Haven, Connecticut, unveiled their fleet-based semi-autonomous drone model, fitted with cameras and bioacoustic sensors. Providence Plus, from Barcelona, Spain, offered up their DROP platform, (Deep-Rainforest Operational Platform), a low-cost sensor solution delivered by drones designed specifically to analyze otherwise difficult-to-reach canopy zones using AI. Illinois-based Welcome To The Jungle is using their drone-delivered audiovisual sensors, which can easily be retrieved, to focus on birds, combined with aerial analysis. 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 when it comes to biodiversity mapping, which is vital to both understanding and protecting vulnerable ecosystems. The final phase of the competition will occur next year in a yet-to-be-announced remote location, where teams will have 24 hours to scan 100 hectares of tropical rainforest, and then compete to produce the most impactful insights in 48 hours.
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Ian McNabb is a staff writer based in Boston, MA. His interests include geopolitics, emerging technologies, environmental sustainability, and Boston College sports.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
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XPRIZE has recently announced the 6 finalists for its Rainforest competition, which aims to develop new biodiversity assessment technologies using UAV technology and drones. The competition seeks to improve scientific research and conservation efforts in endangered ecosystems. The finalists were selected based on their ability to demonstrate scalability in improving biodiversity monitoring and integrating autonomous and rapid data integration for real-time analysis.
Peter Houlihan, EVP of Biodiversity and Conservation for XPRIZE, emphasized the importance of accurate measurement and understanding in effective conservation efforts. The advancements made by the finalist teams in developing new ways of measuring biodiversity are seen as encouraging for conservation efforts worldwide.
The final teams were chosen after a 24-hour live test in the forests of Singapore. They were evaluated on their ability to capture images, bioacoustics, DNA samples, and physical material. The Brazilian Team from São Paulo, Brazil, developed a design that integrates drones mounted with pruners for gathering environmental DNA (eDNA), along with a sensor array and ground robotics. ETH Zurich’s Biodivx team created a drone solution integrated with “backpack tech” for scalable and affordable scanning of complex ecosystems using AI and citizen science. Map Of Life, based in New Haven, Connecticut, unveiled their fleet-based semi-autonomous drone model equipped with cameras and bioacoustic sensors. Providence Plus from Barcelona, Spain, offered their DROP platform, a low-cost sensor solution delivered by drones specifically designed for analyzing difficult-to-reach canopy zones using AI. Welcome To The Jungle from Illinois focused on birds with their drone-delivered audiovisual sensors combined with aerial analysis. Team Waponi from Colorado introduced their mesh-based “Limelight” system, which is delivered by drone and lowers itself to the forest floor.
XPRIZE hopes that this competition will stimulate further innovation in biodiversity mapping, which is crucial for understanding and protecting vulnerable ecosystems. The final phase of the competition will take place next year in a remote location yet to be announced. Teams will have 24 hours to scan 100 hectares of tropical rainforest and then compete to produce the most impactful insights within 48 hours.
The competition highlights the importance of biodiversity mapping and its role in conservation efforts. By utilizing drone technology and innovative approaches, these teams are contributing to the preservation of endangered ecosystems.
The finalists for XPRIZE’s Rainforest Competition have been revealed, showcasing innovative applications of drones in conservation. With a $10,000,000 prize at stake, these finalists have demonstrated their commitment to developing new biodiversity monitoring solutions. Exciting advancements in drone technology await as we eagerly await the winner’s announcement.
The XPRIZE Rainforest competition has revealed its finalists, showcasing innovative applications of drones in conservation. With a $10,000,000 prize at stake, these six finalists have demonstrated their commitment to developing new solutions for preserving biodiversity in our precious rainforests. Exciting times lie ahead as we await the announcement of the ultimate winner and the potential impact their technology could have on environmental conservation.
The finalists for XPRIZE’s Rainforest competition have been revealed, showcasing innovative applications of drones in conservation. These finalists have the potential to revolutionize biodiversity monitoring and protection efforts. With $10,000,000 at stake, the competition promises to drive groundbreaking advancements in drone technology for the preservation of our precious rainforests.
The finalists for XPRIZE’s Rainforest competition have been revealed, showcasing innovative applications of drones in conservation. With a $10,000,000 prize at stake, these finalists have developed groundbreaking solutions to protect and preserve biodiversity in rainforests. The future of conservation looks promising with the advancements made by these finalists.
While the XPRIZE Rainforest competition finalists show promise, the true impact of drone technology in conservation remains to be seen.
While the XPRIZE Rainforest competition finalists have shown promise in using drones for conservation, the true impact of their innovations remains to be seen.
The XPRIZE Rainforest Competition finalists bring innovative drone solutions to conservation, but will $10,000,000 be enough to save our rainforests?
While the XPRIZE finalists for the Rainforest competition have shown promise in using drones for conservation, only time will tell if their innovative applications will truly make a significant impact in protecting our precious rainforests.
While the XPRIZE Rainforest competition finalists show promise in drone conservation efforts, the true impact remains to be seen.
The XPRIZE Rainforest competition finalists prove that drones are revolutionizing conservation efforts, but will they truly make a lasting impact or just be another flashy tech trend?