Datacadabra

Cases

computer vision
sensor technology

Overijssel Province, as the governing body of the province, makes decisions on issues for which the national government is "too big" and municipalities are "too small. The province carries out national and provincial tasks, but also decides independently on certain matters.

Demand

Overijssel Province wants smart support for nature-inclusive roadside management. From this stems the desire to promote biodiversity, reduce invasive exotics (harmful plants that do not grow naturally in the Netherlands) and prevent litter from ending up in the (roadside) grass clippings.

 

Traditional roadside management was done by having ecologists inspect and analyze every square meter of roadside. A time-consuming and intensive process that we automated using computer vision.

The process

Datacadabra got to work detecting and classifying invasive exotics, detecting litter and tracking mowing patterns, using location tracking.

Data

Together with Wim van Breda B.V., we developed a smart camera system (the 'MowHawk') to be placed on the arm of a mower. The software and prototype for the camera was designed by Datacadabra, Wim van Breda provided the hardware (camera, chassis and mounting) and domain expertise. The system uses computer vision (AI) and location and orientation sensors to collect data about the roadside.

Services

In addition to the software for the MowHawk, Datacadabra also provided an algorithm for processing the data from the various sensors.

Feedback

MowHawk results and insights are displayed in GIS (Geographic Information System) map layers.

The result

The data from the cameras can be viewed directly online by ecologists. They therefore no longer need to physically inspect and analyze the roadsides. This saves an enormous amount of time and money when it comes to inspecting roadsides. Moreover, municipalities are now better informed about future roadside management. Has a lot of litter been spotted somewhere? Then specific people can be sent there. Furthermore, the application of the MowHawk saves on the cost of dumping roadside clippings.

Laura van Vuurde (Province of Overijssel)

'Datacadabra made us feel they had a good understanding of the practical questions we had. She came up with simple, effective and cost-effective solutions. It is implemented in demonstrable steps both technically and in terms of marketing. The solution helps us to generate important insights based on data and thus bring our nature-inclusive and circular desires for managing our roadsides one step closer.'