Leicestershire, United Kingdom | December 11, 2024 -
- A new AI platform to support UK’s SME housing developers uses Bluesky
- High-resolution aerial data imagery supports developer decisions on site viability
- Accurate data supports risk analysis and financial planning
A pioneering PropTech startup aiming to address the UK’s housing crisis with an innovative AI tool integrating Bluesky International’s high-resolution aerial imagery, eyes significant growth with a rebrand and funding stream announced.
Viability, formerly known as Hesti, launches at a critical time of rapid expansion for the UK’s house-building industry with the new Government’s recent announcement committing to the creation of 370,000 new homes each year.
With a successful funding campaign now secured, Viability is looking to continue the rollout of its AI platform which leverages cutting-edge technology, accurate property data, and Bluesky’s geospatial data to deliver a SaaS platform, particularly aimed at SME home developers.
To ensure quality and accuracy for their customers, Viability has turned to Bluesky for the supply of aerial imagery to be streamed via the platform.
Henry Mayell, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Viability said: “We initially applied satellite imagery to the platform but quickly found that the quality wasn’t sufficient for our customer requirements. As a result of the feedback, we started testing aerial imagery from Bluesky which offered significant improvements in terms of image resolution and accuracy.
“Our platform enables developers to assess a site’s potential, understand what constraints there could be, in order to build a picture of risk, and run financial analysis. With significant investment at stake, it is important they can make decisions based on accurate data.”
Ralph Coleman, Chief Commercial Officer at Bluesky added: “Our aerial imagery offers the detail needed for developers to begin plotting optimal scheme designs for potential sites. We are supplying Viability with the imagery via our GeoStream service which launched last year. GeoStream is our new data-as-a-service offering which enables customers who need data from us on a regular basis to access it quickly and easily via an API.”
Henry commented: “We are very impressed with the GeoStream service and, from a user perspective, it has proved simple to implement into our platform. It also allows us to clearly overlay Ordnance Survey and Land Registry data over aerial imagery.”
The viability of potential sites is a key restricting factor to the housing industry meeting development targets. Regulations are increasing and becoming more complex so a full picture of a proposed site is essential. Viability has also incorporated Biodiversity Net Gain assessments into their platform.
About Bluesky
Bluesky International is the leading aerial survey company in the UK and is UK Government’s supplier of choice for national aerial photography and height data.
Bluesky produces and maintains national aerial photography and height data of Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland on regular update programs.
Bluesky also undertakes bespoke surveys, including LiDAR, for a range of public and private sector clients. Bluesky International operates a range of aircraft and sensors including three Ultracam Eagle Mark 3s, TerrainMapper, and two CityMappers which allow the simultaneous collection of vertical and oblique imagery, as well as LiDAR data. These systems put Bluesky International in the enviable position of being able to provide customers with unique and cost-effective geospatial solutions.
As well as being an established and respected aerial survey company Bluesky International is also highly innovative and continually strives to develop new products and services by embracing new technology and methods. This has resulted in the development of some unique products such as the National Tree Map™ (NTM™) and National Hedgerow Map™ (NHM™). These datasets underpin long-term contracts with local and central governments and many major blue-chip companies from a range of market sectors including financial services, utilities, telecoms, insurance, construction, and environment.
Bluesky International has offices in the UK, US, Republic of Ireland, and a dedicated production center in India.
Source: Press Release
