World Expert in Synthetic Aperture Radar to Lead Advanced Initiatives

September 5, 2018 (San Francisco) -  PlanetWatchers has developed a new multi-source Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) platform that utilizes multiple SAR sources to deliver actionable insights without the usual delays due to weather, time of day, and environmental conditions. Natural resource managers will now receive enhanced risk management and analytical data from the new platform.

PlanetWatchers composite SAR image of agriculture fields

World-renowned remote sensing specialist Professor Dirk Hoekman recently joined PlanetWatchers' radar team and directs the company’s new SAR initiatives. With global experience stretching across North America, South America, and Asia, he is committed to maximizing the efficacy of research into the physical aspects of remote sensing and microwave remote sensing, and developing effective remote sensing applications in forestry, agriculture, agro-hydrology, and environmental change climate studies.

Dr. Hoekman actively engages with PlanetWatchers’ clients in forestry, sugarcane, energy, and agriculture. “Natural resources managers are now highly dependent on data, analytics, and insights to help make better informed business decisions and address risk effectively," he observes. "I look forward to collaborating with the team, leading the new SAR initiatives, and working with our growing client base around the world to deliver meaningful, actionable business intelligence.”

Ariel Smoliar, CEO of PlanetWatchers, adds, “Managers base key decisions on data. Until recently, their ability to gather useful data was constrained by environmental factors such as massive cloud cover and heavy prolonged rains; smoke, gases, and wildfires; poor light conditions for satellite imagery; availability of airborne systems and drones; etc. After studying the issue extensively, we have developed a new proprietary solution with Artificial Intelligence proven to overcome these challenges. Data can now be obtained, as needed, without having to wait for optimal visibility. Analytical insights can be implemented right away--to stop a bad situation from getting worse.”

PlanetWatchers has already successfully completed a number of major engagements around the world using its SAR-based Analytics Platform in a variety of vertical industries including forestry, sugarcane, and energy. “Numerous clients received exceptional field intelligence, and implemented it with measurable gains,” says Smoliar.

The SAR Analytics Platform tasks multi-source SAR sources combined with optical imagery and AI-driven analytics to provide the ‘ Last Mile of Analytics, - actionable intelligence critically important to operations, supply chain, risk management, and planning departments at natural resource companies. The platform identifies a wide array of parameters, such as crop uniformity and environmental damage caused by wildfires, pests, and weather anomalies that directly impact yield, risks, and profitability.

About PlanetWatchers:

Based in San Francisco, USA, and founded by experts in big data, remote sensing, and cloud computing, PlanetWatchers is an all-weather geospatial analytics startup dedicated to empowering natural resource managers with actionable data to optimize their business. The company’s services support the forestry, agriculture, oil and gas, and insurance markets. For more information:   https://www.planetwatchers.com/.


Contact: 

Fortress Strategic Communications for PlanetWatchers
Evan Bloom, CEO
315-744-4912
Email Contact
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