Swiss Re and Airbus team up on drone flood-modeling service

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is collaborating with aeronautics firm Airbus Aerial to offer flood prevention modeling services using drone-collected data.

The reinsurer’s flood assessment tool, FLOAT, will be powered by Airbus Aerial's drone imagery and data to identify flood risks and more accurately predict weather-related flood damage, the partners said.

FLOAT drones capture “highly accurate, location-specific elevation data”, which shows flood vulnerabilities and low-points. This will be boosted by software and aerospace technology from Airbus Aerial with information from satellites, high altitude aircraft and other sources.

Philip Brandl, manager, Risk Engineering Services, EMEA at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, said: "Aerial’s ability to deliver cutting-edge and reliable drone imagery and data makes them a perfect match for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions' goal to help our clients protect their businesses. FLOAT is an innovative and cost-effective service that clearly shows clients where they are at risk for flood, so they can take steps to better protect themselves.”

Airbus Aerial President Jesse Kallman said: “We are very excited to announce our collaboration with a global leader in the commercial insurance market, and to be able to offer this unique solution to Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ clients around the world.”

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