Wyvern: A space startup that helps farmers track farm health
The private space industry is propelling satellites into space to drive research and boost tech sector. It has given way to a new business space that wouldn’t have been possible even a decade ago. Wyvern is one such business in the space that provides relatively low-cost access to hyperspectral imaging taken from low-Earth orbit.
This is a method for capturing Earth’s image data across many more spectrums than our eyes or traditional optics can see.
The Alberta-based startup was founded by CEO Chris Robson, CTO Kristen Cote, CSO Callie Lissinna and VP of Engineering/COO Kurtis Broda, who have immense experience in building satellites, right from when they were in school.
“We’re doing all sorts of things that directly affect the bottom line of farmers. If you can detect them, and you can quantify them, and the farmers can make decisions on how to act and ultimately how to increase the bottom line. A lot of those things you can’t do with multi-spectral [imaging] right now, for example, you can’t speciate with multi-spectral, so you can’t detect invasive species.”Chris Robson, Founder and CEO of Wyvern
Their proprietary optical technology will best serve the needs of farmers, who will gain access to up-to-date hyperspectral imaging data of their fields, which would help them optimise yield, detect changes in soil makeup (to track nitrogen levels) or even help them spot invasive plants and insects.
Hyperspectral imaging is already a proven technology in use around the world for exactly these purposes, however, it is majorly captured by using drones, which are “really expensive, and with us, we’re able to provide it for 10 times less than a lot of these drones currently in use.” We trust this technology and its affordability will help farmers retain the health of their farms and produce healthier crops.
Watch how this technology works below.
