SnowWatch – Drone-Powered Snow Load Monitoring for Roofs

Watch the Introduction to the IoT challenge here

Challenge

Create an innovative, data-driven, and user-friendly solution that uses drones and sensor technology (e.g., camera, LiDAR, radar, ultrasound) to provide an overview of snow load on rooftops. The goal is to enable more efficient, safer, and sustainable snow removal in snow-heavy regions.

Context

The solution must function in demanding northern environments with highly variable weather and snow conditions. It should deliver real value for property owners and society – both in the short and long term.

Goals and Desired Outcomes (should be reflected in the solution)

• More efficient and safer snow removal: Prioritize the right roofs at the right time – minimize manual inspections, increase safety, and reduce costs.
• Enhanced data-driven insights: Make it easy to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Reduced environmental impact and resource consumption: Avoid unnecessary deployments through better planning and data sharing.

The solution should support:

• Proactive decision-making for property owners and managers
• Data sharing among stakeholders
• Environmental savings through reduced resource waste and fewer unnecessary interventions

What Should You Build?

Develop a prototype that includes:

1. Drone-Based Data Collection
   • Use simulated or fictional sensor data to provide an overview of snow load on rooftops (no restrictions – parameters such as density may also be considered).
2. Analysis and Decision Support
   • The solution should identify roofs at risk and potentially suggest priority actions.
3. Visualization/Reporting
   • An interface that gives property owners and decision-makers a clear overview, such as: just some examples
     • Reports for planning and follow-up
     • Dashboards with priority lists and alerts
     • 3D models with color-coded snow loads
     • Timelines showing snow accumulation over time

Integration and Scalability

• Think modular – the solution should work in various environments and with different data sources.

Information Security

• Sensitive property data needs to be handled securely (e.g., through data classification or encryption).

Evaluation Criteria

Innovation

Creative use of technology to solve a real-world problem

User-Centric Design

The solution is easy to use and delivers tangible value to property owners/decision-makers

Impact Goals

Supports efficient, safe, and sustainable snow removal

Data Quality & Reliability

Proper handling of sensor data, validation, and consideration of environmental impact

Visualization

Intuitive and informative presentation of snow load over time and areas

Scalability & Integration

The solution can be adapted to different buildings/systems and shared among stakeholders

Security

Information security is addressed in the solution