Big data a challenge for forestry companies
FORESTS MAY TAKE AROUND 28 YEARS TO MATURE, BUT THE technology to measure their growth, plan for harvesting and everything around those tasks seems to change from month-to-month.
Rapid improvements in smartphones and tablets, the development of user-friendly forestry apps and increasing connectivity has changed how forest companies are using the enormous amount of data generated to improve operations – everything from the measurement of stand volumes through to the scheduling around wood flows and logistics.
The quality and quantity of data being collected through an array of new sensors and platforms has increased exponentially over the years and the task now being grappled with is how best to sort through and use the information and convert it into something that’s useable for all stakeholders.
To help the industry keep up with the pace of change, the annual ForestTECH conference held in Rotorua and then in Melbourne has proved invaluable.
The focus for ForestTECH 2017, which takes place towards the end of November, will be on unlocking the true value of data for local forestry operations. New systems for better measuring, managing and analysing this information will come under scrutiny.
Among technology companies presenting at ForestTECH 2017 is TreeMetrics, an Irish-based forestry software business that has developed sensors strapped to trees, which broadcast information once a month on the rate of growth that can be communicated via satellite. Without major inventories, the plan is that the new system will be able to provide clear regular data on both the trees’ and forests’ development, which it calls the ‘Internet of Trees’.
Another project to be presented is a three-year, AU$1.8 million collaborative research programme in Australia to map forest canopies using aerial photography that are effective and cost less than other airborne remote sensing techniques or field-based measurements.
The project has seen an ‘app’ developed to count individual trees using 3D point cloud data acquired from airborne remote sensing. Then, a forest sampling method significantly reduces the number of reference plots required to produce a representative model of the variability in a forest stand. This will assist forest companies to achieve efficiency gains from remote sensing of their estate and to integrate dense 3D point cloud data into their operational workflows.
The advent of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, automation and the use of virtual and augmented reality for data visualisation are now starting to make their presence felt in business, including forestry operations.
Global consulting company, McKinse, says 45% of work activities could be automated using technology already in existence. This suggests that the advancement and adoption of automated technologies is likely to play out a lot quicker that many of us appreciate.
In a report by Accenture, which is presenting at ForestTECH 2017, it suggests the impact of AI technologies on business is expected to boost labour productivity by up to 40% by fundamentally changing the way that work is done and reinforcing the role of people to drive growth in business.
These technologies are already being reviewed and used in forestry operations. For example, virtual reality is already being applied to visualisation of point cloud data being collected from remote sensing. And Hiab recently introduced virtual reality goggles as part of a new system enabling log loading from the cab of a truck. VR is also being used by engineers to design truck engines.
ForestTECH 2017 runs in Rotorua from November 15-16 and then in Melbourne from November 21-22.
Also, with increased interest surrounding the use of LiDAR, an introductory workshop is being held on this topic at the venue the day after each ForestTECH 2017 conference. Run by Dr. Martin Isenburg from Rapidlasso, Germany and Interpine, it will cover how to manipulate, process and visualize LiDAR datasets, with a specific focus on forestry-derived outputs. For more information see www. foresttech.events.
NZL