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Spexi Geospatial is set to introduce the LayerDrone Foundation, a decentralized network designed to foster a community of amateur drone operators dedicated to capturing ultra-high-resolution imagery of the Earth.
Since its inception a year ago, Spexi has reported that its incentivized pilots have successfully gathered over 10 million images covering 2.3 million acres globally. With the formation of the LayerDrone Network, the company aims to further motivate these pilots, facilitating next-level spatial AI applications that can be utilized in various fields, including disaster management and the training of autonomous vehicles.
“Our goal was to create a drone platform that not only connects pilots but also rewards them,” stated Bill Lakeland, CEO of Spexi, in a conversation with GamesBeat. “This innovative model allows for quick data capture in an automated way. It enables drone pilots to cover urban environments rapidly, providing 900 times the detail of satellite imagery and surpassing traditional aircraft methods in speed and efficiency.”
Moreover, Lakeland indicates that this approach can be up to 50 times more cost-effective compared to alternative methods such as aerial imaging from airplanes or satellites.
According to Alec Wilson, COO of Spexi, “We have established the largest standardized drone imaging network globally, having conducted over 100,000 missions that include capturing data across the most significant cities in North America. We are making significant strides in documenting imagery across the continent and are excited to launch the LayerDrone Foundation.”
In its first year, Spexi has distributed more than $1 million in rewards to drone pilots. With the introduction of a decentralized cryptocurrency strategy, thousands of drone enthusiasts are engaged, as evidenced by the 5,000 members in the company’s dedicated Discord channel.
This launch comes at a crucial time when the demand for high-resolution spatial data is more critical than ever, particularly as AI and autonomous technologies increasingly rely on detailed visual representations of the physical world to function effectively.
“The technology infrastructure we have developed allows for effortless large-scale image collection in a fun, gamified manner,” Lakeland explained. “You can envision it as a global treasure hunt akin to Pokémon Go, but instead of gamers, we have drone pilots capturing valuable data.”
Currently, pilots have mapped approximately 170 cities within North America. Each mission can cover around 25 acres, with operators flying their drones at specified altitudes to gather ground data. Pilots typically earn about $50 per flight, contributing to the 100,000 missions completed so far.
The LayerDrone Network
While Spexi will maintain its role as the tech provider for Earth data, it aims to launch the LayerDrone Foundation as a community-driven governance model for drone pilots.
The establishment of the LayerDrone Network signifies a progressive transition in Earth imaging technology. It shifts from a central commercial model to an open network protocol that invites contributions and application developments. This evolution supports true decentralization, allowing community governance and the standardization necessary for advanced spatial AI applications, which may range from emergency response to training autonomous vehicles.
Spatial AI technology alters the interaction between artificial intelligence and spatial contexts. In contrast to conventional AI, which processes various forms of data individually, spatial AI comprehends the spatial relationships among objects, enabling reasoning and understanding akin to human interpretation. To achieve this, it requires extensive imagery far beyond what satellites currently provide.
Spexi Geospatial, the developer of the technology on which the LayerDrone operates, will continue to serve as the foundational contributor to the network while functioning as an independent commercial entity.
“Enabling AI systems to accurately navigate the real world necessitates training on data that captures environments with a depth akin to human perception,” Lakeland pointed out. “For instance, when autonomous vehicles differentiate between a shadow and a pothole, or when rescue teams identify tiny fissures in a damaged bridge, having centimeter-level resolution is not a luxury but a necessity.”
He emphasized, “Demand for these use cases is skyrocketing, and unlocking their potential begins with the precise data that LayerDrone offers.”
Key Highlights
The LayerDrone Network encompasses:
Unmatched Detail: Imagery featuring a resolution of 1cm—900 times more detailed than available satellite data.
Decentralized Approach: A global network of drone pilots captures standardized data while earning rewards.
Proven Traction: Over 2.3 million acres have already been imaged across 160 cities in North America and Europe with ultra-high resolutions of 2.8cm or better.
ESG Friendly: Produces 97% less carbon emissions compared to traditional satellite and aircraft methods.
Emerging Markets: Analysts project that the geospatial analytics market could reach $147.6 billion by 2028, with spatial computing and aerial imaging markets also anticipated to grow substantially in the coming years.
Powered by a Token
The LayerDrone Foundation seeks to promote spatial AI applications.
Having secured $17 million to date, Spexi comprises a team of 34 individuals. The organization plans to advance its Web3 technology and blockchain innovations by establishing the LayerDrone Foundation, fostering public good. The foundation will be governed by token holders and aims to launch a cryptocurrency to incentivize data capture through the network.
“Our approach entails creating a crypto-fueled scale of drone imagery, which we envision as the new benchmark for high-resolution imaging on Earth,” Wilson asserted. “This framework can be deployed rapidly in virtually any region with drone operators, facilitating easier access to imagery without the need for extensive travel or logistics. With our established system, individuals can download the necessary applications, enabling them to collect data with their drones.”
To enhance its efficacy, the foundation will introduce a utility token that will serve to incentivize pilot participation, allow governance involvement, and unlock various network features.
In addressing concerns about token performance post-launch, Lakeland noted the trend of speculative bubbles surrounding tokens. He indicated that they are now cautiously developing a sensible strategy for the token launch. With sufficient incentives, the sustainability of tokens may improve. While regulations might evolve under crypto-friendly administrations, Wilson mentioned that the launch would be timed strategically to align with both LayerDrone and Spexi’s business models.
A Crowdsourced Future
Spexi is gathering essential data for the development of the real-world metaverse.
“The LayerDrone Foundation establishes a necessary governance structure to enable the scaling of a genuinely decentralized Earth imagery network,” Wilson remarked. “Just as open internet protocols spurred vast innovation in web applications, LayerDrone’s open protocol can catalyze significant advancements in spatial AI, along with other applications leveraging drone-quality imagery at unprecedented scales.”
This concept of crowdsourcing is reminiscent of Niantic’s Pokémon Go, wherein users physically traverse the globe to map locations. However, while Pokémon Go gamifies data collection through gameplay, LayerDrone engages hobbyist pilots to capture useful imagery with their drones.
LayerDrone serves as a foundational source for spatial AI, dedicated to cultivating and maintaining one of the planet’s most vital imaging resources.
Ultimately, the collaborative efforts of Spexi and the LayerDrone Foundation could revolutionize various fields, helping to enhance applications within gaming, urban planning, emergency management, and autonomous vehicle operations through better comprehension of the world’s physical space.
This initiative aims to facilitate immersive metaverse experiences and support businesses in gaining insights into their environments, transforming knowledge acquisition one city block at a time.
Bigger Than a Flying Game
The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 showcases regions like the African savannah through advanced imaging.
According to Lakeland, drone imagery surpasses traditional satellite capabilities, with accuracy up to three centimeters in comparison to the standard 30-centimeter resolution from satellites, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of landscapes without infringing on privacy norms.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 team, for instance, relied on a blend of satellite and airplane data, which significantly enriches the ground details in the game— achieving approximately 4,000 times greater detail than the previous version. Nonetheless, even this simulation provides limited biomes for landing, highlighting the need for better reference materials across broader visuals.
Building a comprehensive geospatial model demands high-quality reference data that can be accurately linked. The data gathered by Spexi allows for registration across different areas, enabling visual continuity despite the diverse environments each drone captures. Furthermore, the capability to capture images at angles enhances the portrayal of building facades, crucial for metaverse applications aiming to recreate urban spaces.
Through photogrammetry, drone data can be assembled into point clouds, a process that proves challenging when executed with satellite imagery. From these point clouds, Spexi can create Gaussian Splats, intricate 3D representations that render the shapes and features of buildings, trees, and other ground elements with remarkable realism.
“Dense imaging of building facades, along with other aspects, significantly amplifies the value of our collections,” Lakeland noted.
Wilson added, “Utilizing this technique in recreating imagery fosters the development of highly detailed and photorealistic digital twins.”
An overview of various urban areas revealed hexagonal grids indicating comprehensively mapped sections in cities like San Francisco alongside regions still awaiting capture. Wilson emphasized that the drone pilots comply with FAA regulations and operate “micro drones” that weigh under 250 grams, flying unobtrusively at altitudes of up to 260 feet.
Although it may take several pilots to cover a single town within a day, the Spexi team contends that full global mapping isn’t the paramount goal. Instead, their focus remains on collecting data pertinent to client needs. Lakeland stressed the enthusiasm among drone pilots for data collection, suggesting that the community’s passion could drive significant advancements in mapping efforts.
Source
venturebeat.com