When Tech Steps Up for Nature: How AI is Helping Urban Parks thrive
A Visionary Pilot Project in Helsinki
This summer, Helsinki conducted a pilot project to explore the potential of AI in park maintenance. The project focused on optimizing lawn care, identifying invasive species, and planning fertilization based on data from previous years.
By utilizing satellite images and algorithms, the project accurately estimated grass length, leading to reduced mowing, fewer inspection visits, and decreased fuel consumption. This successful integration of technology showcases the benefits of AI in park management.
Combating Invasive Species with Digital Solutions
The AI system also identified concentrations of lupins, an invasive plant species that disrupts local ecosystems. By pinpointing their exact locations and optimal intervention times, authorities were able to implement more effective control measures.
The experiment focused on large open areas, making it easier to detect grass length and invasive species accurately. Field checks confirmed the system’s accuracy, ensuring reliable data for decision-making.
Enhancements and Challenges for the System
Initially, the AI tool generated infrequent and delayed reports. However, adjustments were made to increase report frequency and enhance data accuracy, enabling more effective maintenance planning and minimizing errors.
Mirka Råberg, director of the Pilot Green project, sees this initiative as just the beginning. She anticipates more detailed and frequent reports on green space conditions, driven by similar technological advancements in the near future.
