Technology companies Stellar Futures of Blue Rocks, N.S. and Zimple Consulting SpA of Concepción, Chile, will work together to enhance coastal protection and public warning in emergencies. 

The first joint project will build a prototype digital triplet of Canadian rural coastal areas. (A digital triplet combines a physical object, a digital replica and real-time data.) The triplet provides targeted communication and alerts during environmental emergencies as well as day-to-day notifications, Gary Stairs, CEO and Founder of Stellar Futures, said in a statement.  

“The real-time 3D digital triplet will initially recreate 7,800 km² of the South Shore region of Nova Scotia with plans to scale and transfer the technology to other regions of Canada and Chile, both of which have extensive, ocean-endangered coastlines,” he said.

Currently in the early stages, the South Shore Digital Triplet project involves five specialized teams working across four countries. Stellar’s system focuses on impact exposures, ‘last mile’ imperatives, and the vulnerability of rural coastal communities.

"Canadians and Maritimers are coastal peoples, and being near the ocean contributes significantly to our quality of life…" said Stairs. However, we need to adapt as climate change increasingly impacts our communities.

“Together, these new partnership initiatives can deploy the latest technology to empower coastal Canadians and, potentially, Chileans.”

The new system will use geographic Information and mapping systems, AI, and machine learning forecast models specifically designed for coastal applications, including storms, flooding, and potentially wildfires.

Other partners include:

· Spatial One, a spinoff from the Applied Computing Innovation Centre at the University of New Brunswick;

· UNB Ocean Mapping Group;

· Centre of Geographic Sciences at Nova Scotia Community College;

· Amazon Web Services Canada (AWS);

· PREDICTif Solutions, Houston, Texas

· Virtual Internships in Johannesburg, South Africa.