Next-gen UAV hyperspectral processing: transforming UAV platforms into real-time end-user solutions with 3D hypermesh creation

• Published in: Proceedings of SPIE, the international society for optical engineering Vol. 13455; pp. 1345508 - 1345508-6
• Main Authors: Løke, Trond, Sivertsen, Agnar, Stødle, Daniel, Løkse, Sigurd, Bohman, Axel Fredrik, Schlaefpher, Daniel
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: SPIE 28.05.2025
• ISBN: 1510686991; 9781510686991
• ISSN: 0277-786X
• DOI: 10.1117/12.3054170

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has long been a cornerstone of remote sensing, enabling highly detailed analysis across agriculture, mining, defense, and environmental monitoring. By capturing a continuous spectrum across hundreds of narrow bands, HSI provides insights far beyond the reach of traditional imaging systems. Now, a new era is emerging—real-time, in-flight processing onboard UAVs. Leveraging recent advances in compact computing and intelligent data structures, hyperspectral data can now be transformed into actionable 3D intelligence mid-air, revolutionizing how industries collect, process, and act on information. This paper explores how next-generation UAV platforms integrated with advanced hyperspectral sensors and novel data representations such as hypermesh can redefine remote sensing workflows. With onboard processing, real-time atmospheric correction, intelligent spectral classification, and direct 3D visualization capabilities, UAVs are not just data collectors but decision-support systems in motion. The transition to real-time HSI on UAVs brings together innovations in optics, navigation, and data science, forming a complete system capable of rapid deployment, immediate insight delivery, and seamless integration into existing workflows. These advances eliminate the historical bottlenecks of post-processing and enable end-users to make informed decisions faster and with greater confidence.