THE SYSTEM
Boreal Applied is developing a robotic monitoring system that combines GPR, thermal, RGB, LiDAR, inertial sensing, and precise positioning. Designed for paved northern infrastructure, the system would repeat georeferenced surveys, align results over time, and turn located differences into traceable records for investigation and planning.
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The proposed Boreal system connects the robotic platform, multisensor payload, survey control, repeat-survey comparison, and operator outputs within one georeferenced workflow. Each layer preserves location and survey context so information can be compared over time and traced back to its supporting sensor data.
The proposed system progresses from the Field System through Survey Operations, Analysis, and Operator Information. Analysis feedback can return to Survey Operations for localized reacquisition. The working foundation is demonstrated, while permafrost-specific interpretation and compatible third-party platform integration remain in development or planned.
Demonstrated foundation
Planned integration
Demonstrated foundation
Demonstrated foundation
In development
In development
Quality feedback and localized reacquisition
REPEAT-SURVEY INTELLIGENCE
A single survey provides a record of conditions at one moment. Boreal’s proposed monitoring system is designed to return to the same georeferenced area, align new information with the previous survey, and isolate differences that may require further investigation. The result is a persistent record of change rather than a series of disconnected inspections.
The same paved area is surveyed twice. The baseline and current datasets are aligned, then a localized difference is connected to a Traceable Change Record.
01
Establish a georeferenced reference survey using a planned route, synchronized sensor collection, and recorded data-quality context.
02
Return to the same asset, repeat the survey coverage, and align the new dataset with the baseline using location and spatial context.
03
Compare the aligned surveys, isolate where surface or subsurface responses differ, and connect the supporting evidence to a traceable change record.
CORE SYSTEM CAPABILITIES
Boreal’s working foundation combines robotic survey execution, synchronized multisensor collection, repeat-survey analysis, and traceable evidence management. These capabilities support development of the proposed monitoring system, while permafrost-specific interpretation remains subject to northern field validation.
01
Plan and execute consistent coverage across accessible paved surfaces using remote operation, autonomous route following, obstacle detection and avoidance, repeat positioning, and controlled survey-lane spacing.
Supporting capabilities
Status
02
Collect complementary subsurface, surface, spatial, and positioning information during the same survey while preserving the location and context of each sensor pass.
Supporting capabilities
Status
03
Return to previously surveyed coordinates, align datasets from different inspections, and identify where surface or subsurface responses changed over time.
Supporting capabilities
Status
04
Evaluate collection quality, preserve the connection between raw sensor passes and reported findings, and convert located changes into records that support verification and follow-up.
Supporting capabilities
Status
WORKING PROOF OF CONCEPT
Boreal has a physically assembled, working proof-of-concept platform that brings together autonomous survey execution, synchronized multisensor collection, georeferencing, repeat-survey alignment, change detection, and traceable reporting. The evidence below demonstrates the existing subsurface-sensing and spatial-mapping foundation behind the proposed permafrost-monitoring system.
SUBSURFACE SENSING
Representative GPR output demonstrating the proof of concept’s ability to collect and process subsurface-response data within a georeferenced survey workflow.
SPATIAL MAPPING
Representative LiDAR output demonstrating the proof of concept’s ability to capture surface geometry and support spatially consistent survey mapping.
DEVELOPMENT PATH
Boreal’s development path begins with demonstrated robotic, sensing, and repeat-survey capabilities. The next phases adapt that foundation for permafrost monitoring and validate the resulting system through northern field testing, ground-truth comparison, and operational evaluation.
Development path from the current demonstrated robotic and multisensor foundation, through permafrost-system development, to planned northern field validation.
Current foundation
DEMONSTRATED
A physically assembled working platform has demonstrated the core capabilities required for repeatable robotic inspection across accessible paved and concrete surfaces.
Established foundation
IN DEVELOPMENT
Boreal is developing the system integration, interpretation workflows, quality controls, and decision-support outputs required to apply the existing technical foundation to changing ground beneath northern infrastructure.
Development focus
PLANNED VALIDATION
The proposed system will require testing at suitable northern paved assets and comparison with appropriate ground-truth measurements before permafrost-specific performance claims can be established.
Validation focus
WORK WITH BOREAL
If your organization manages paved infrastructure affected by changing ground conditions, talk with Boreal about site requirements, validation objectives, system integration, or an R&D collaboration.