HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Radiant Solutions, a Maxar Technologies Ltd. company (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) (NYSE and TSX: MAXR), today announced a contract with the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to provide more than 1 million labeled objects within high-resolution satellite images that will be used to accelerate the development of machine learning algorithms that can extract valuable information from imagery at scale.
NGA is partnering with Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) to launch the 2018 DIUx xView Detection Challenge to spur innovation that will ultimately support national security and humanitarian missions. With the challenge, individuals, global academic, commercial and research organizations will use the world’s highest resolution 30 cm commercial satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe to train algorithms to automatically identify dozens of objects that are relevant to pressing global challenges, such as stopping the spread of disease and improving infrastructure in the developing world.
The DIUx Detection Challenge follows in the footsteps of earlier training datasets Radiant Solutions released under the SpaceNet and IARPA Functional map of the World (FMoW) challenges, for which participants applied machine learning to satellite imagery to address a range of important applications. The xView dataset is licensed to NGA under a Creative Commons Non Commercial License and contains more than 1 million labeled objects across 60 object classifications — such as damaged buildings, construction equipment and tents — that can only be positively identified using the highest resolution satellite imagery.
“Overhead imagery has characteristics distinct from datasets that have been used in previous machine learning research,” said Buzz Roberts, NGA Director, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Augmentation. “We are excited to harness the talent, creativity and ingenuity of the worldwide research community to develop cutting-edge solutions for these challenges.”
“Access to satellite imagery at increasingly high spatial and temporal resolutions, coupled with rapid advances in machine learning algorithms for object detection, has created a disruptive opportunity for NGA and other agency customers to see, understand and anticipate humanitarian and defense activities at a global scale,” said Tony Frazier, President of Radiant Solutions. “Our vision is that xView becomes a trusted resource for accelerating open innovation in machine learning.”
Additional information on the 2018 DIUx xView Detection Challenge can be found here: www.xviewdataset.org.
About Radiant Solutions
Radiant Solutions provides highly specialized, innovative geospatial multisource data, analytics, software and services to deliver critical insights and intelligence where and when it matters. Poised to transform how customers support global mapping and intelligence missions at scale, Radiant Solutions harnesses the proliferation of pervasive information-gathering sensors, open-source software, cloud computing, machine learning and big data analytics. Our combined team of over 1,000 sensor and spacecraft engineers, geospatial analysts, developers, data scientists and DevOps engineers delivers innovative geospatial solutions that keep our nation safe, protect critical infrastructure, and preserve scarce natural resources. Building on the legacy of MDA Information Systems, RadiantBlue, DigitalGlobe Intelligence Solutions and HumanGeo, the newly combined Radiant Solutions has a strong track record with its advanced capabilities, open approach and experience supporting mission that helps customers in the GEOINT community reach critical decisions faster and with greater accuracy. Radiant Solutions is based in Herndon, VA with major offices across Virginia, Maryland, Florida, Michigan, and Colorado. Radiant Solutions is a business unit Maxar Technologies, a U.S. operating company (NYSE: MAXR; TSX: MAXR). For more information visit: www.RadiantSolutions.com.
About Maxar
Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is a leading global provider of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets including satellites, Earth imagery, geospatial data and analytics. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides unmatched end-to-end advanced systems capabilities and integrated solutions expertise to help our customers anticipate and address their most complex mission critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 21 locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes: SSL, MDA, DigitalGlobe, and Radiant Solutions. Every day millions of people rely on Maxar Technologies to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that empower a better world. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information visit www.maxar.com.
About NGA
NGA delivers world-class geospatial intelligence that provides a decisive advantage to policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders. NGA is a unique combination of intelligence agency and combat support agency. It is the world leader in timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence. NGA enables the U.S. intelligence community and the Department of Defense to fulfill the president’s national security priorities to protect the nation. For more information about NGA, visit us online at www.nga.mil, on Facebook or on Twitter.
About DIUx
Defense Innovation Unite Experimental (DIUx) is a fast-moving government entity with the mission to accelerate commercial innovation for national defense. For more information, visit www.diux.mil.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Radiant Solutions in regard to the referenced contract with the NGA and the associated launch of the DIUx xView Detection Challenge. Although the management of Radiant Solutions believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Radiant Solutions cannot provide assurance that they will be correct. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements and are based upon data available as of the date of this release and speak only as of such date. Radiant Solutions disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation.