Matter Intelligence secures $12M for hyperspectral remote sensing for real-time data

Matter Intelligence secures $12M for hyperspectral remote sensing for real-time data
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 31, 2024

Matter Intelligence, a remote sensing company based in California, has emerged from stealth with a bold mission: to launch advanced space-based sensors that will capture unprecedented data on Earth's natural and human-made environments.

Focusing on high-detail sensor technology that exceeds visible spectrum limits, Matter plans to create an "extreme resolution" Earth observation dataset - one capable of fueling AI-driven models and insights on a global scale. The company has raised $12 million in seed funding led by Lowercarbon Capital, with additional support from Toyota Ventures, Pear, Mark Cuban, and E2MC. This funding will drive the advancement of Matter's innovative sensing infrastructure.

"Matter is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in Earth observation," explained co-founder and CEO Vishnu Sridhar. "We are developing sensors that allow us to understand material makeup at the molecular level - capturing composition, temperature, and structure from orbit with sub-meter precision. This is a game changer for industries that rely on detailed, real-time data to make critical decisions."

Innovative Hyperspectral Sensing for Diverse Applications
Matter Intelligence's sensor technology leverages hyperspectral imaging, which captures thousands of light bands to reveal the unique properties of various materials. With this capability, Matter's sensors can detect and categorize objects and substances that would be invisible to traditional optical, radar, or multispectral technologies. Designed for deployment across satellites, drones, and aircraft, Matter's sensors will deliver the first sub-meter hyperspectral and thermal satellite capability globally.

The company's initial satellite, EARTH-1, will create a comprehensive global catalog of Earth's material composition, capturing information density up to 500 times greater than existing sensors. This advancement in hyperspectral imaging positions Matter as a leader in next-generation analytics and mapping, benefiting a wide range of industries:

+ National Security: Enables detection of concealed military assets, sensitive area monitoring, and infrastructure surveillance.

+ Insurance: Provides direct measurements for COPE data, such as roof quality and occupancy levels.

+ Energy and Resource Management: Supports identification of valuable minerals like lithium and rare earth elements, pipeline monitoring, and methane tracking.

+ Environmental Monitoring and Agriculture: Allows for early crop disease detection, biodiversity monitoring by plant species identification, assessment of acid mine drainage, and oil spill detection.

Matter's high-precision sensors set a new standard in remote sensing. Unlike traditional hyperspectral systems that struggle with sufficient detail and accuracy, Matter's sensors offer a level of quality and resolution that meets and exceeds user requirements. The company's images provide scientific-grade quality with sub-meter detail, offering data dense enough to drive advancements in geospatial computer vision and enabling powerful predictive analytics and real-world resilience.

EARTH-1, Matter's first satellite, will introduce the first sub-meter hyperspectral and thermal imaging capability. Soon to announce its launch date, EARTH-1 is designed to map and monitor Earth's materials in real time, offering insights into everything from mineral composition to vegetation health and atmospheric changes. With EARTH-1, Matter is constructing the world's first real-time, detailed encyclopedia of Earth's material landscape.