Analytical Heavy Lifting

Taking a photo from a satellite is only the first step. The second is “knowing what’s in an image and what changes over time,” said Gil Syswerda, founder and CEO of FeatureX (Booth 508).

“We focus on understanding what’s in satellite images,” Syswerda continued. “As a part of that process we have built a number of compelling technologies both for enhancing images and for deepening understanding.”

Boston-based FeatureX sources images from across multiple GEOINT providers, and uses that information to build its own series of apps and platforms that allow users to best analyze and understand GEOINT data.

The company’s next big release will be a website “that allows anybody to pick a location on the planet and source satellite images on it,” Syswerda said. “We’re trying to make satellite imagery as easy to use as Google Maps.”

“Right now the barriers to entry are pretty high,” he continued, noting that contracting with satellite operators to get images and then doing analysis on those images is “a lot of heavy lifting” that many potential customers can’t afford—especially if they’re only interested in one or two specific locations.

FeatureX aims to do that heavy lifting then provide the images and analysis to its customers.

“Our tools, our platforms, our website will just make it much easier for pretty much anybody to jump in,” Syswerda said.

FeatureX will also offer tools for third party users to build their own web interfaces and apps using geospatial maps and data, and will demonstrate the aforementioned technology and platforms at its booth.

Headline Image: In this FeatureX image, the near infrared channel is enhanced to facilitate tasks such as detection and measurement of ground cover, foliage, and crop health.