Lockheed Martin, NVIDIA unveil AI-driven digital twin to revolutionize environmental forecasting

In a groundbreaking demonstration that marks a significant one-year milestone, Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with NVIDIA, showcased an AI-driven Earth and Space Observing Digital Twin designed to advance predictive forecasting for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This innovative project, revealed on January 30, 2024, in Denver, comes at a critical time as NOAA reports record ocean temperatures, highlighting the urgent need for advanced environmental monitoring solutions.

Since its inception in 2022, the collaborative project between Lockheed Martin and NVIDIA has been at the forefront of utilizing artificial intelligence to fuse and analyze vast amounts of weather data. The prototype, which processes live streams of incoming weather data, applies AI and machine learning to deliver high-resolution, accurate depictions of global environmental conditions. This significant achievement not only demonstrates the project’s capacity to highlight multi-sensor fusion from satellite and model data but also its ability to pinpoint short-term temperature anomalies.

The demo presented to NOAA and other government customers showcased the potential of using AI to enhance the visualization of data from various space and earth sensors. By providing a centralized platform for data fusion and visualization, the Earth and Space Observing Digital Twin aims to support more accurate initial conditions for predictive forecasting. “A platform such as our digital twin could serve as a one-stop-shop for global weather monitoring,” stated Lynn Montgomery, AI research engineer at Lockheed Martin.

The project utilizes Lockheed Martin’s OpenRosetta3D software and NVIDIA’s Omniverse development platform, tools that are pivotal in aggregating data in real time and advancing 4D visualizations. Dion Harris, director of accelerated computing product solutions at NVIDIA, emphasized the role of digital twins in addressing the AI and forecasting challenges faced by climate and weather enterprises. The collaboration between Lockheed Martin and NVIDIA is a testament to the potential of digital twin technology to revolutionize global weather monitoring and prediction.

Looking ahead, Lockheed Martin plans to incorporate additional data streams, such as space weather and sea ice concentrations, into the Digital Twin. This expansion is expected to further enhance the project’s capabilities in environmental forecasting.

Funded by NOAA SAE Joint Venture Partnerships, the project explores the possibilities for a future state of environmental monitoring and is not a mission in itself. The collaboration between Lockheed Martin and NVIDIA represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI and machine learning for the advancement of global environmental forecasting and monitoring.

The collaboration between Lockheed Martin and NVIDIA in developing an AI-driven digital twin for environmental forecasting represents a monumental leap in the field of predictive analytics. This project not only signifies a major advancement in our ability to monitor and predict environmental changes but also highlights the critical role of AI in addressing contemporary global challenges. As this technology continues to evolve, its potential to transform our approach to environmental monitoring and disaster preparedness is immense.