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Sky Wave at CDM Smith®

Sky Wave brings together industry-leading expertise with advanced geospatial technologies and machine learning-driven analytics to deliver decision-ready insights for our clients—transforming the way sites are assessed and analyzed and enabling better decisions faster! 

Harness the power of remote sensing and machine learning

Comprehensive site coverage

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Patent-pending methods to streamline field data collection

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Improved data quality

Greater understanding of conditions and broader site perspective

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Ability to extract new insights from current and past data

Easy to visualize and quantify changes over time

Leverage machine learning for faster insights

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Repeatable, consistent results

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80%

reduction in field time and schedule

Transforming data to decisions

At the core of every successful site assessment is having enough of the right data to inform decisions. Sky Wave, originating from our R&D program, combines patent-pending digital field data collection with machine learning to streamline data collection, analysis and reporting. 

Supporting the data collection is network of drones, including our state-of-the-art American-made fixed wing drone that can operate two times longer than traditional drones and, because of a FAA visual line of site waiver, can operate up to 6 miles from the command center. Combine that with our expertise in the appropriate sensor selection data collection becomes less difficult and time intensive, more accurate, and facilitates data integration into MLA models that can automate analysis and reporting.

Providing customized actionable plans to produce site-specific results for:

  • Wetland mapping and monitoring
  • River and watershed morphology
  • Green infra­struc­ture
  • Wind & solar facility siting
  • Water quality monitoring
  • TMDL discharge studies
  • Ecological studies
  • Construc­tion progress
  • Disaster and flooding response
  • Impervious area assessment
  • Dam, levee and pipeline condition assessment
  • Climate resilience

Transforming Missouri’s I-70 with Sky Wave

Using innovative Sky Wave technology, the Missouri Department of Transportation is modernizing I-70 to reduce congestion and improve safety.

Optimizing restoration and remediation projects with drones

Through our internal R&D Program, CDM Smith has used drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to accelerate projects while also increasing the project team’s safety and the number of data points collected.

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Our thought leadership in action

The art and science of transforming data into action
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The art and science of transforming data into action

How can AI help solve environmental challenges?
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How can AI help solve environmental challenges?

Advancements in data collection technology have made it possible to gather data more quickly and cost effectively than ever before, and machine learning can help us compute comprehensive information to make better decisions. Drew Reicks is a geospatial data scientist with nearly a decade of experience in the field, and he leads Sky Wave’s remote sensing and machine learning applications. Drew is a pro at analyzing site data, remote sensing, and developing models that allow experts to compute mass amounts of environmental and infrastructural information to solve the complex site challenges of today.

How can machine learning protect the environment?
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How can machine learning protect the environment?

The process of safeguarding our natural resources and wildlife areas is traditionally slow, painstaking work. In typical data collection and site assessments, it is a herculean effort to coordinate the resources, manpower, and time required to analyze the environmental health of a site. With the future of our natural world driving innovation, CDM Smith's team of remediation and restoration champions believed there was a better way to achieve total site knowledge. Meet Brendan Brown, an environmental scientist with a passion for bridging technology and our natural world. Brendan and his team created Sky Wave, a solution that revolutionizes the way we protect natural resources. Sky Wave connects drones, remote sensing, machine learning, and environmental science to ensure native species are thriving and environmental health is trending in the right direction.

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Our clients don’t just need more data—they need better answers. Sky Wave combines our unique application of remote sensing tools and machine learning analysis into actionable insights, helping organizations reduce risk, understand conditions faster, and make decisions that stand up to scrutiny.

Brendan Brown, PWS

Environmental Scientist

Brendan is an expert in wetland delineation, resource assessment, habitat restoration, species surveys, and permitting and remediation; he is also one of the pioneers of Sky Wave technology.

Ready to take the next steps?

We love collaborating with passionate individuals and organizations. If you want to talk about potential projects, reach out to our experts. If you're interested in joining our team, check our careers page for open positions or internships.