Virtual Field Probing (VFP) is our novel, patent-pending satellite-enabled sensing technology where sophisticated artificial intelligence/deep learning models are applied to the plethora of complex, raw satellite data produced by tens of satellites to attain ground-level insights and facilitate reliable predictions. VFP intelligently exploits petabytes of heterogenous, but complementary, multi-modal/resolution data (electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar – SAR) acquired from both commercial and free satellite constellations (ESA, NASA, JAXA, etc.) to make accurate observations, produce domain-relevant decisions and recommendations, and empower a wide array of innovative applications.
Existing crop monitoring technologies each suffer from a number of inherent limitations including the need for field devices that are expensive to acquire and difficult to scale (sensor-based approaches), complex logistics, limited operational duration and high cost (aircraft/drone-based approaches), and weather susceptibility and low spatial/temporal resolutions (satellite-based approaches). VFP addresses most of these limitations while providing highly scalable solution for monitoring crop water needs, growth, biomass, stresses, nutrient distribution, and yield, among others.