PrecisionHawk Partners With Genera Energy to Build Aerial Analysis Tools for Biomass Crops
The automated algorithms will assess crop health and productivity using aerial farm imagery collected by satellites and drones
RALEIGH, NC Nov. 3, 2015 — PrecisionHawk and Genera Energy have partnered to develop new analysis algorithms specific to improving the efficiency and quality of sustainable biomass crop production and distribution. The algorithms will convert raw aerial imagery collected by drones and satellites into an actionable report for biomass crop farmers. The tools will be publicly licensed for use in the DataMapper software platform.
“Working with PrecisionHawk to develop advanced data collection and analysis tools elevates commercial-scale biomass supply chains to the forefront of technological innovation for crop management, risk reduction, and efficiency” said Dr. Sam Jackson, Vice President of Business Development at Genera. “PrecisionHawk is the leading company in remote sensing in a variety of industries, including agriculture. Partnering our agronomic knowledge and skills with their outstanding technology platform is a win not only for us, but for the entire biomass industry.”
Since 2008, Genera Energy has grown to be the industry leader in biomass supply and supply chain services. Its expertise in dedicated energy crops allows it to provide unique services and solutions to its customers. The first group of research tools to be developed under the new partnership will focus on lignocellulosic crops, core to Genera’s expertise.
“This partnership is a great opportunity to develop decision support tools that provide a more sustainable and efficient path for energy production,” said Dr. Allison Ferguson, Director of Education and Research Partnerships at PrecisionHawk. “Genera Energy has built an impressive reputation in agriculture and energy, and we look forward to offering this suite of useful solutions for the betterment of the industry.”
Within the DataMapper software platform, Genera will license the completed tools in the Algorithm Marketplace, DataMapper’s library of sophisticated algorithms for data analysis. The store automatically interprets data collected from a drone’s geographic information system during flight. The Genera algorithms will add to the currently available lineup of algorithms serving the agricultural industry such as assessing plant characteristics, identifying pests, and monitoring disease pressures.
About PrecisionHawk Inc.
PrecisionHawk is a terrestrial data acquisition and analysis company founded in 2010. The company provides an end-to-end solution using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for data collection and analysis software tools to provide better business intelligence to clients across a wide range of civilian industries.
PrecisionHawk also owns drone data software, DataMapper, satellite imagery provider, Terraserver, and the Low Altitude Traffic and Airspace Safety platform for drones, LATAS. A privately held company based in Raleigh, NC and Toronto, Canada, PrecisionHawk’s investors include Intel Capital, Millennium Technology Value Partners, Bob Young, and the Indiana University’s Innovate Indiana Fund. More information about PrecisionHawk can be found at precisionhawk.com or on Twitter @PrecisionHawk.
About Genera Energy, Inc.
Genera supplies biomass feedstocks and services to advanced bio-based industries, offering robust and scalable agriculture biomass supply solutions ranging from full service energy crop production to customizable supply chain solutions and biomass management services. Genera’s proprietary AgriShedTM and Supply ASSURE® feedstock management systems and its BIN-SPEC® material handling and milling system offer Genera’s customers maximum feedstock reliability and quality while minimizing variability and cost. Based in Vonore, Tenn., Genera operates a fully integrated commercial scale biomass RD&D facility uniquely focused on biomass storage, material handling, sizing, pre-processing, and quality control. Focus on innovation and sustainability in delivering industrial biomass supply systems has earned Genera the World Biofuels Market’s prestigious 2013 Sustainable Feedstock Innovation Award.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For PrecisionHawk
Lia Reich, Sr. Director Communications l.reich@precisionhawk.com | 919-590-9280 | @LiaReich
For Genera Energy
Heather Ripley, Ripley PR hripley@ripleypr.com | 865-977-1973
