Above

Research solution

Above partnered with the Institute of Analytics and Data Science at Essex through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) which brought in leading AI expertise from an Academic team led by Professor Hani Hagras and Dr Javier Andreu.

The project team pioneered the rapid processing, formatting and importing of high-resolution inspection videos from aerial video streams using machine learning classification techniques. This enabled the detection and classification of the micro-crack anomalies in the PV cells – which were sent to a dashboard to be utilized by solar farm asset managers.

The research solution also enabled human-operator feedback to reinforce the machine learning capabilities via reinforced learning.

Business value

Above became a long-term strategic partner with Essex, going on to secure further successful funding from Innovate UK for a second KTP exploring the next product evolution using digital twin technology, and a Smart Grant developing next-generation robotic techniques to fully automate the flight of the drone.

Three talented researchers, hired to deliver the projects under the supervision of the company and academic team at Essex, became permanent members of staff at Above after the projects ended.

The company has since expanded and moved into Parkside on the University's Knowledge Gateway research and technology park, to be closer to academic and computer science graduate talent.

As a direct result of the KTP,  Above realised its growth potential and successfully secured a Series A fundraise to further build out its AI capability and exploit its potential for growth.

Most recently, The Clean Growth Fund has led a £2.4m investment in Above, establishing them as a global leader in solar plant data and analytics. It's the first investment in solar tech the UK venture capital fund has made in the UK. The Clean Growth Fund was launched in 2020 with a focus on investing in the UK's most promising early-stage "clean growth" technology companies.

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