Active LOOKNorth Projects

Completed LOOKNorth Projects

Project	Partner
Aerial Highway Monitoring using UAVs Upon completion of this project, Sky Pilot developed BVLOS surveillance technology from automated data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). The focus of this project was on the monitoring of highways and other transportation infrastructure through the use of Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) deployed sensors. The collected aerial imagery and AI algorithms will be used to detect animal migration, location of missing vehicles or people, dumping of pollutants, and changes in road structure. This project promoted safety and improved emergency response through its ability to detect various hazards. Close	Sky Pilot
Equus35 Prototype Development for Flir Systems Infrared Camera/Sensor	Solace Power Inc.
Subsurface Direct Hydrocarbon Remote Sensor Leak Detection System With this project, Direct-C developed an improved version of present leakage detection systems (LDS) called Subsense LDS. Subsense LDS can be used in the oil and gas industry for new or pre-existing pipelines. Its nanocomposite-based hydrocarbon sensors provide early and direct leak detection, remote sensing, and real-time monitoring abilities. The anti-icing properties of the sensor’s material also ensure reliability and functionality in cold environments such as Northern Canada. Close	Direct C. Ltd.
Experimental Evaluation of In-ground External Leak Detection Technologies	HiFi Engineering Inc.
UAV Inspection Automation Software With this project, Aerisense Technologies displayed the potential of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for inspection of vertical assets such as wind turbines and transmission lines. It encompassed validating an inspection automation software and implementing the software with UAV systems. This software allowed for efficient flight planning, automated navigation and data collection, workflow, and data management. Close	Aerisense Technologies Inc.
UAS BVLOS Risk Assessment Model and Risk Analysis Support for BVLOS Demos Canadian UAV established its presence in the area of BVLOS operations by presenting a ground-based collision avoidance technology. The new technology focuses on a proprietary radar software and hardware system which can distribute and monitor returned radio waves. Images are then sent to a radar system to detect changes in air and land as well as track aircraft. This project proved that Canadian UAV has the ability to perform safe and routine BVLOS operations. Close	Canadian UAV
Optimization of Remote Sensing and UAS The goal of this project with Accuas Services was to validate, test, and deploy new technology, AccuIMU, to optimize remote sensing and unmanned aerial surveys.AccuIMU utilizes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). This provides high-quality data collection and processing capabilities for surveys using Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) in Northern Regions. This technology also provides several other advantages such as increased safety, less ground control, competitive cost, and improved photogrammetric processing at low altitudes. Close	Accuas Services Inc.
Tactical Ice Monitoring from UAV onboard Icebreaking Bulk Carrier	Enfotec
Integrating RPAS with Autopilot Technology This project with Aurora Aerial and Sunward Science and Technology proposed to integrate a previous technology, Sunward RPAS, with a new autopilot from MicroPilot. Several trials, both manned and remotely operated, were conducted to demonstrate that unmanned procedures are as safe as manned. Other VLOS test flights will demonstrate infrastructure inspection, surveying, geological exploration, wildlife management and tourism capabilities. As data was collected from the RPAS, it built confidence that these vehicles can also transport freight and medical supplies when needed. Close	Aurora Aerial
Remote, Real-time sensors for Water Quality Monitoring in Mining This goal of this project was to develop remote and real-time monitoring technology for contaminants in water at mines across Canada. A sub-project also developed two platforms which included FREDsense and ANDalyze which led to the development of arsenic, mercury, and copper sensors.The development of this technology helped to overcome challenges associated with the conventional methods of grab or composite sampling. Some other benefits included the reduction of lag time for sample results, fewer health and safety risks, and better water quality samples. Close	Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC)
Water Quality Monitoring of NWT Lakes using High-Resolution EO The goal of this project with Hatfield Consultants was to validate a new method of water quality monitoring in the Northwest Territories. The testing area was a lake, Lac de Gras, located in Yellowknife that has two nearby diamond mines. Lac de Gras contains chlorophyll a concentrations since nutrient-rich water is discharged from the diamond mines to the lake. Due to the harsh environment of the area, it is dangerous to collect water samples. Hatfield Consultants used this as an opportunity to monitor the concentration of chlorophyll a through satellite observations. This new method is safe, cost-effective, and provides a better understanding of changing conditions. Close	Hatfield Consultants
From Pilots to Practice – The Commercialization of SmartICE LOOKNorth started working with SMARTICE in 2017, and as of December 2019, LOOKNorth has funded over $200k to date. The SmartICE initiative is a $3M program that aims to implement their innovative training platform in up to 10 communities by 2023. SmartICE is an award-winning technological innovation that is the world’s first climate change adaptation tool to integrate Inuit knowledge of sea ice with advanced data acquisition and remote monitoring technology. SmartICE combines these approaches to provide invaluable, data-driven insights into sea-ice thickness and local ice conditions in near real-time. SmartICE also embraces a social enterprise business model that aims to expand opportunities for economic and social development in Inuit Nunangat while strengthening traditional knowledge and practices. Close	Memorial University of Newfoundland
Evaluation of UAV Magnetic System In eastren Quebec, two new gold-bearing zones were found along the Abitibi Greenstone belt. This project focused on conducting a survey to obtain data at a high spatial resolution for one of these zones. In order to obtain this level of detail, an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) was flown at a low speed and low level. The data was then used to create a detailed map of the geological structures at Lamaque South where Integra was conducting a gold project. Close	Abitibi Geophysics
Polar Code Decision Support System To address the safety risks associated with operating ships in polar regions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection approved the Polar Code in 2015. Polarview Canada developed a Polar Code Decision Support System (PCDSS) to assist ships with meeting the new regulations and information requirements. This project also created other opportunities such as providing EO-based information to other polar stakeholders and granting CubeWerx an opportunity to participate and showcase its technology. Close	Polarview Canada
Robotic Survey Vessels for Remote Environmental Monitoring This project aimed to create an evaluation program for tailings storage facilities (TSFs) for mines across Canada. Using robotics technology, a more accurate method of remote collection for bathymetric data was developed. The automated survey vessel is able to collect more data points during each survey. This results in more accurate bathymetric maps and volumetric capacity calculations compared to the conventional method. Close	Clearpath Robotics
InSAR for Mining in Permafrost Effigis strives to introduce better mining operations in Northern Canada where the environment is cold and the ground conditions, permafrost, are being impacted by climate change. With this project, the practicability of interferometry technology to monitor infrastructure deformation concerning permafrost conditions was validated. High-resolution radar images from satellites were collected and used to determine any probable deformation caused by changes in permafrost. This project resulted in reduced operational risk and increased safety of mining operations in the North. Close	Effigis
Real-Time Greenhouse Gas Monitoring EMSAT and The Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (AITF) worked together to create an Integrated Monitoring System for Greenhouse Gas applications. The developed sensor cluster can monitor greenhouse gas emissions while also monitoring environmental conditions in the air, soil, potable aquifers, and deep subsurface. This project occurs in two phases.In Phase 1, the focus was on developing a software platform to retrieve and view real-time data from the sensor cluster. In Phase 2, the focus was on developing data surveillance, alerting algorithms, and automated reports. Close	EMSAT
Autonomous Subsidence Monitoring via GNSS This project with Xeos Technologies focused on field testing working prototype subsidence monitoring stations that utilize GNSS. This new technology uses multiple GPS receivers in order to quickly compute accurate geospatial measurements. Upon completion of this project, oil field industry partners were benefited by improved accuracy of deformation monitoring, improved capability to locate and characterize sub-surface fluid movement, and reduced risk of operational hazards. Close	Xeos Technologies
BVLOS Market Assessment for SAR Organizations Due to the evolving market for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), this project was focused on a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) market assessment. Advances in technology and emerging regulations signified that there was a need to assess the market for BVLOS operations in Sample and Rescue (SAR) organizations.To provide sustainable benefits, The Command Centre platform and hardware tracking were commercialized and tested through user engagement. Other benefits of this project include the introduction of RPAS programs in Northern communities, growth in the implementation of RPAS technology in SAR organizations, and development of the necessary framework for companies who want to sell to SAR organizations. Close	Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions (AVSS)
Experimental Evaluation of In-ground External Leak Detection Technologies This project evaluated the performance of external in-ground leak detection technologies that are used to monitor hydrocarbon pipelines. AKS Geoscience provided its electromagnetics (EM), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and penetrating radar (GPR) for evaluation. A hydrocarbon pipeline leak was simulated for the testing of these technologies which was conducted at the C-CORE premises in St. John’s. Close	AKS Geoscience Inc.
BVLOS Operations in the Canadian Arctic Through this project, AirMarket validated BVLOS flight operations in the Arctic using UTM services. The work was carried out in Nunavut with the Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Group and Emergency Management officials. The goals of this project included establishing regulatory parameters for BVLOS operations, validating surveillance technology and functionality, and building BVLOS capacity in Arctic regions. This project also improved environmental and emergency capabilities by enabling monitoring over a wider area with UAVs. Close	AirMarket
UAS Market Assessment Alietum’s work is specialized in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) which includes aerial surveying, mapping and inspection. This project will focus on a market assessment of UAS in the Northwest Territories. To create company growth and employment opportunities in the Northwest Territories, the goal was to identify market segments with a customer base and yield revenue. Close	Alietum
Technology Demonstrator: Image Mining for Sustainable Natural Resource Management With this project, NorStar developed kPOOL which is an Abductive Logic tool for unstructured datasets. The tool is based on Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) and is designed to allow its users to perform deductive reasoning on large datasets. More specifically, it analyzes data and extracts information from documents using several forms of query inputs. So, it quickly locates desired and similar information, including imagery, and effectively answers questions. Close	NorStar Space Data Inc.
Subsea Platform – Technology Demonstration Project The SEAformatics Ocean Sensor Platform, the Pod, is the result of the Ocean Network Seafloor Instrumentation (ONSFI) project conducted by Memorial University of Newfoundland. The Pod incorporates a water turbine that can generate power from ocean currents , a sensor interface subsystem for data, an acoustic modem for data communication, and a release mechanism. It is ideal for energy, marine, and security industries. This project focused on a long term demonstration of SEAformatics’ technology in Placentia Bay for Husky Energy. Other objectives included the designing, manufacturing and validation of a second generation of the Pod, the planning of a field program, deployment of the prototype, monitoring, data product delivery and making necessary modifications. Close	SEAformatics
Marine Mammal Monitoring from Moving Vessel Platform For this project, Sikumiut introduced a Video Survey Demonstration in the Canadian Arctic through the use of HD camera arrays equipped on Unattended Airborne Vehicles (UAV). This approach offered many advantages including being cost-effective, better for the environment, and more feasible compared to the conventional method of monitoring. The UAVs collected and captured data that was used to understand the behavior of marine mammals in Canada’s North. This understanding was essential for decision making to support local resource production. Close	Sikumiut
BVLOS Risk Model A key element of accelerating the innovation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Canada is to create a national “testbed” system that will be available to UAS developers, service providers, users, and regulators. Consequently, this will drive the development of new technology, attract investment and improve the position of Canadian companies on a global scale.This project focused on a national risk model that validated the safety of integrating BVLOS capabilities into airspace. It will capture mission data and gaps in technology to ensure the best practices of BVLOS related technology. The framework was approved by Transport Canada and will provide a standardized methodology for risk assessment. Close	Periculum Labs Inc.
Remote Sensing of Hydro-dynamics of the Peace Athabasca Delta	Terra Remote Sensing
Greenhouse Gas Data Collection from Balloon-Launched Unmanned Glider This project focused on HiDRON, a balloon-launched unmanned glider that is manufactured by Stratadynmaics Aviation. This technology has the capability to collect stratospheric data at various altitudes in autonomous or soaring flight modes. Stratodynamcis and its partners aimed to integrate AirCore, a greenhouse gas measurement system, with HiDRON. This lead to improved data collection about the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions as well as better forecasting, planning and adaptation. Close	Stratodynamics Aviation Inc.
Unmanned Aircraft Detect and Avoid (DAA) System for BVLOS Operations in Canadian Arctic This project is developing a Detect and Avoid (DAA) system and testing and verifying it in a simulation platform. This DAA system detects and tracks cooperative and semi-cooperative traffic during flight operations. The project includes developing an expert system to support remotely piloted aircraft systems verbally interacting with ground control systems and other cooperative aircraft. Close	Seamatica
BVLOS for Forest Management The project is a partnership between UAV operators (Harrier Aerial Surveys and Terra Sense Analytics), forest industry companies (Interfor, Canfor, and Kalesnikoff) and Selkirk College. Field work is being conducted at 3 sites in British Columbia’s Kootenay/Boundary regions representative of:•a typical forestry planned harvest block•a regenerating block requiring thinning, and•an unharvested block with road corridor linkages Close	Harrier
Satellite/Aircraft Hybrid Methane Monitoring The project will advance remote sensing of gas emissions by developing and demonstrating the world’s first satellite-aircraft hybrid system in Alberta. Beginning in July 2017, eighteen months was required for satellite manufacturing and launch, aircraft variant development and manufacturing, and for the development of satellite-aircraft hybrid analytics. The full year of 2019 was dedicated to demonstrations of the satellite-aircraft hybrid system. Close	GHGSat
UAS BVLOS Proof of Concept Trial – Fort McMurray Since 2001, ING Robotic Aviation has been supporting military operations and training, border surveillance, mining operations, agriculture and forestry monitoring & mapping and utilities (oil and gas, telecommunications) with its all-weather Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) RPAS (https://www.ingrobotic.com). LOOKNorth has teamed with them to apply this technology to a variety of BVLOS sensing missions for Canada’s Oil and Gas sector, work that is critically important for extracting and transporting resources to global markets. Close	ING Robotic Aviation
DAA Demo in BVLOS Operations with Canadian UAV	Canadian UAV
Building and Demonstrating Capacity in Nunavut with Arctic UAV Arctic UAV is training and utilizing Nunavummiut (primarily local Inuit) from five communities in Nunavut (NU) to undertake real community-driven projects where UAV data will be combined with satellite data (by C-CORE) to evaluate the potential for integrated value-added products.The objective is training and certifying UAV pilots in remote areas of NU and to demonstrate capabilities through contracted services. The ultimate goal for Arctic UAV is providing UAV services throughout NU (and other Northern jurisdictions) and delivering UAV data to C-CORE for integration with satellite data. Close	Arctic UAV
Autonomous Airspace Awareness System (A3S) with Pegasus Imagery Pegasus Imagery intends to extend the functionality and useful range of RPAS with the Autonomous Airspace Awareness System (A3S) project. The A3S is a standalone system that will be carried onboard a RPAS. It will function as an airborne radar and a RPAS autopilot that is capable of intervention in both autopilot and manual control. Aircraft equipped with the A3S technology will be able to safely operate in integrated airspace with high reliability. Close	Pegasus Imagery

Projects

Active LOOKNorth Projects

BVLOS/UTM Trial with Edmonton Airport

Mitigating Oil and Gas Methane Emissions in Central Asia with GHGSat

Memorial University’s Sustainable Northern Coastal Communities Network Pilot Project

Creating an Umbrella Organization to Provide Professional UAV/GIS Services throughout the Western Arctic

Advancing operations with the award-winning SmartICE application

Cellular-enabled RPAS Traffic Management (RTM) with AirMarket

RPAS Traffic Management (RTM) Enabler with Peraton Canada

Development of a Northern Canadian Geospatial Innovation Centre (NCGIC) with DNA

Growing the use of Space-Based Earth Observation Data in the Western Arctic through Partnerships

Completed LOOKNorth Projects