TerraRad provides portable L‑band radiometer systems that deliver high‑resolution, passive microwave moisture maps of soil and vegetation. Its products, such as turfRad and PoLRa, enable data‑driven irrigation, turf management, agricultural planning, and construction assessments. The technology brings satellite‑grade moisture accuracy to ground level for real‑time decision support across multiple industries.
Funding
$610K raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Traditional methods of assessing soil moisture, such as multispectral and infrared sensors, lack the ability to penetrate vegetation and provide insights into subsurface moisture levels. Satellite-based radiometers often lack the ground resolution needed for farm-scale data, while radar sensors are frequently obstructed by vegetation. This makes it difficult to implement data-driven irrigation strategies and optimize water usage.
Solution
TerraRad Tech provides advanced moisture mapping technology using portable L-band radiometers that deliver high-resolution data on subsurface soil and vegetation water content. Inspired by space-based earth observation technology, TerraRad's passive microwave remote sensing allows for the measurement of soil and vegetation moisture by detecting naturally emitted microwave signatures. The technology operates at a 21 cm wavelength (1.4 GHz frequency) within the L-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling it to penetrate crops and soil to a depth of up to 10 cm. This provides insights into subsurface moisture, even through thick vegetation, offering a comprehensive view of both surface and subsurface moisture levels.
Target Audience
TerraRad's primary customers include professionals in agriculture, turf management, civil engineering, and environmental research who require precise and reliable data for informed decision-making.
Features
- Portable L-band radiometer technology inspired by space-based Earth Observation satellites
- Passive microwave remote sensing measures soil and vegetation moisture by detecting naturally emitted microwave signatures
- Operates at a 21 cm wavelength (1.4 GHz frequency) within the L-band
- Measures subsurface moisture up to 10 cm deep, even through thick vegetation
- Measures microwave power at two independent polarizations, allowing calculation of both soil moisture and the L-band Vegetation Optical Depth (L-VOD)
- Delivers high-resolution moisture maps with less than 2% error
- Available in drone- (UAV), vehicle-, and ground-based systems