Near Space Labs has announced the nationwide deployment of its Swift robots, establishing a network of stratospheric remote-sensing systems capable of delivering ultra-high-resolution aerial imagery across the continental United States. The company’s proprietary Swift technology offers 7cm resolution, comparable to or exceeding traditional aerial survey methods, and operates at altitudes between 60,000 and 85,000 feet. Each robot, a zero-emission, 12-pound autonomous system, can capture up to 1,000 square kilometers of imagery per flight.
This development comes as the U.S. home insurance industry faces mounting challenges due to the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters. In 2023, the sector experienced a net combined ratio exceeding 110 percent, with losses surpassing $101 billion. As major insurers retreat from high-risk states such as Florida, California, and Texas, Near Space Labs aims to fill critical gaps in risk assessment capabilities by providing detailed, frequently updated property data.
The Swift robots’ quarterly imaging updates offer insurers a way to monitor changing environmental conditions, enabling more accurate risk assessments and policy pricing. According to Rema Matevosyan, CEO of Near Space Labs, outdated aerial data collection methods have contributed to a misalignment in risk evaluations, policy pricing, and market viability. Matevosyan highlighted the need for modernized solutions, noting that only six percent of the $250 billion in losses from Hurricane Helene may be covered by insurance, underscoring the limitations of traditional approaches.
The expanded imaging capabilities of Near Space Labs aim to help insurance companies mitigate losses, maintain their presence in high-risk markets, and potentially reenter areas they had previously withdrawn from, addressing critical challenges in property insurance and disaster risk management.
