Information about the project

New information about daily operations through hyperspectral imaging

When taking pictures using a regular camera, the image is recorded on sensitised paper by the action of light, or on a memory card in a digital camera. To form a colour image, the light reaching the lens is filtered through colour filters. A standard camera has three colour filters: red, green and blue. A colour image includes all frequencies of visible light (350–760 nm).

Depending on the camera type, the image formed by a hyperspectral camera consists of light with wavelengths of 380–2,500 nm. Frequencies outside this range can also be photographed if necessary. Hyperspectral imaging involves capturing very narrow light wavelengths. This makes it easier to discern phenomena that only appear at a certain light wavelength in images. The images can be used to create a spectral descriptor. This can then be compared to descriptors found in various spectral libraries and databanks.

 

Drones make it possible to photograph large areas and inaccessible sites

Taking images and conducting measurements using a drone have many applications, as these methods make it possible to photograph large areas quickly. The captured material makes it easy to discern phenomena that are impossible to detect from the ground. High locations or other sites that are difficult to access can easily be photographed using a drone. Such locations include industrial chimneys or wetlands that must be examined to assess their condition. New applications for drones are emerging all the time. These include first aid provision and mail delivery.

 

The project has three themes: agriculture, the environment and construction

Agriculture

The world’s population is predicted to increase
to 9 billion people, while the total arable area is predicted to remain at its
current level . Phosphorus reserves are projected to become scarcer. For
agriculture to meet the nutritional needs of the growing population, the total
arable area and dwindling resources must be used more efficiently. Traditional
farming must develop into precision farming, which calls for more detailed
information about fields, plant nutrition and diseases and the water economy.
This information can be obtained by means of hyperspectral imaging. The sites
to be photographed during the project include potato fields and other
agricultural areas. The images are then compared to on-site samples. For potato
fields, the images will be used to detect changes caused by diseases,
insufficient nutrition and water supply problems. The correlation between the
images and the on-site samples will be studied. The data obtained will be
stored in an open-access databank.

 

The environment

This theme involves studying whether hyperspectral images can be used to assess the condition of the environment. Natural waterways will be photographed and the images compared to on-site samples. The samples will be analysed in a laboratory using an automatic system that continuously measures the state of the waterway. The suitability of the technology for surveying and monitoring natural resources, game animals and the environment will also be studied during the project. The data collected under this theme will also be stored in a databank.

 

Construction

 

Under this theme, data will be collected from condition assessments (need for renovation), interior and soil survey sites, and from a rock engineering site. The images will be compared to values measured using traditional methods. The research information will be used to determine best possible uses. The data collected will be stored in a databank. 

 

 

 

HYPE RDI

The area of operation of the HYPE RDI project is North Ostrobothnia. The project’s target group consists of businesses in the fields of natural resources, environmental management, construction and ICT. The project runs from 1 June 2016 to 31 May 2019. It is implemented by the Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd in cooperation with Natural Resources Institute Finland. Project participants also include the Finnish Seed Potato Centre Ltd, HZPC Kantaperuna and Mitta Oy. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.