Developing a Geospatial Data Platform
Supporting machine learning on multisensor data from airborne remote sensing
The PlasticObs_plus research project (funding code: 67KI21014A) is part of the BMUV (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) funding initiative “AI lighthouse projects for the environment, climate, nature and resources”. It investigates machine learning on multi-sensor data from airborne remote sensing to combat plastic waste in oceans and rivers as part of the funding program “Kl-Lighthouses for Environmental Protection”. The project goal is to develop an integrated measurement system for routine, quasi-synoptic acquisition and visualization of the distribution of plastic debris on the ocean surface and on shorelines or coastal strips via remote sensing and artificial intelligence methods. In addition to the intended real-time data acquisition of plastic objects by airborne sensors, downstream data analysis plays a central role in the research project.
52°North’s role as subcontractor is to support the development of a platform for geodata management that will enable further processing of the raw data. This includes developing a central geo-portal, which will provide the results as a web map service. Ultimately, the platform will be accessible to the general public, stakeholders and responsible public agencies to promote sustainable solutions to environmental pollution and targeted, effective counter strategies.
In 2023, 52°North activities focused on gathering and analyzing requirements to derive a software architecture for managing the project’s research data. This resulted in an architectural design centered around a GeoNode-based data repository. Other components, such as dedicated data ingestion workflows and a visualization component, ensure that the needs of the researchers in the PlasticObs_plus project are met. Towards the end of 2023, the first steps were taken to install the necessary software ecosystem.
Partners
OPTIMARE Systems GmbH, Germany
Jade Hochschule Wilhelmshaven/Oldenburg/Elsflet, Germany
everwave GmbH, Germany