The Swift Network consists of ultra-high-resolution robot cameras, elevated by weather balloons, providing continuous monitoring of weather conditions.
The American startup Near Space Labs has reached a significant milestone with the deployment of the Swift Network – AI-equipped robot cameras, which ascend to great heights using weather balloons, as reported by Interesting Engineering on November 21. This achievement marks the establishment of the first stratospheric robot network providing ultra-high-resolution aerial imagery across the United States.
Swift robot camera elevated by weather balloon. (Photo: Near Space Labs).
The Swift robot camera captures high-resolution images accurately at distances of up to 7cm, equating to or even surpassing traditional aerial survey quality. Swift is non-emitting and can capture up to 1,000 km2 of imagery in a single flight. Operating at altitudes between 18,000 to 26,000 meters, this compact autonomous robot weighs only 5.5 kg.
The nationwide deployment and enhanced imaging quality by Near Space Labs are crucial for the housing insurance industry in the United States. In 2023, this sector faced the worst crisis in decades, with damages exceeding $101 billion. These results are largely attributed to the increased frequency and severity of weather events, including storms, tornadoes, and wildfires.
The root cause of this crisis is the significant gap between rising climate risks and the ability of insurance companies to accurately assess them. “Many insurance companies are still relying on aerial data collection methods from the 1950s to evaluate climate risks in 2024,” stated Rema Matevosyan, CEO of Near Space Labs.
The new network from Near Space Labs will provide detailed, quarterly updated data. This unprecedented frequency of updates enables insurance companies to monitor changing weather conditions, assess risks more accurately, and price policies appropriately. This could allow them to re-enter markets they were previously forced to abandon.
The Swift network offers numerous advantages over satellites, drones, or aircraft. Weather balloons can reach altitudes twice that of cruising aircraft. “Our balloons capture data equivalent to that of 800,000 drones in just one flight. Meanwhile, planes operate like snakes, moving back and forth over weeks to gather data that we can collect in just a few hours. This means we can operate faster, better, and cheaper,” Matevosyan explained.
