The US has deployed autonomous Swift robotic cameras in the stratosphere across the country

Brooklyn, New York-based startup Space Labs has achieved significant success by deploying a network of its Swift robots across the United States. The achievement marks the creation of the first network of stratospheric robots that transmit ultra-high-resolution aerial imagery across the entire continental United States.

Swift robots now offer improved 7cm resolution that matches or even surpasses the quality of traditional aerial photography. Swift – a zero-emission robot that can survey up to 1,000 sq km in a single flight – an area equivalent to the five boroughs of New York City.

Operating at altitudes ranging from 18,000m to 36,000m, this compact 12kg autonomous system gives insurance companies, urban planners and government agencies unprecedented access to highly detailed and frequently updated aerial imagery, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

The expansion of Near Space Labs’ operations across the country and improvements in imaging technology are critical for the U.S. homeowners insurance industry. In 2023, the industry experienced its worst crisis in decades, with net combined ratios exceeding 110% and losses exceeding $101 billion.

These results are largely driven by the increase in the frequency and intensity of weather events, including devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, and catastrophic wildfires. As a result, major insurers are pulling out of high-risk states like Florida, California, and Texas, putting households and regional economies at risk. At the root of this crisis is a growing gap between the escalation of climate risks and insurers’ ability to accurately assess them.

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Near Space Labs is launching a nationwide rollout of high-quality visualization tools to address a significant problem for insurers. The initiative will provide detailed and up-to-date real estate data on a quarterly basis.

The unprecedented frequency of such updates will allow insurers to track changing conditions, assess risks more accurately, and price accordingly. This could allow them to re-enter markets they previously left behind. This deployment marks the first-ever nationwide deployment of ultra-high-resolution aerial imagery, surpassing all existing commercial options such as satellites, drones, and aircraft.

With this initiative and the support of Fortune 500 insurers, Near Space aims to address America's home insurance crisis. This crisis is exacerbated by inadequate data, leading to significant losses and exits from the market.

«With our balloons and Swifts, insurance companies can access information immediately after a disaster, assess damages and pay insurance claims within several days, not weeks and months», – said Matevosyan.

Giant weather probes rise to a height twice the height of passenger planes. According to the company, the cameras transmit high-resolution images of thousands of square kilometers. "Our balloons shoot what 800,000 drones would be made in one flight, – Matevosyan said. – The plane would fly like a snake, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth for weeks to collect data that we can collect in a matter of hours. This means we can be faster, better and cheaper for our customers.