Hyperspectral Drone Data Workflows: Lessons from the Adelschlag Workshop
In September, Headwall and partners convened researchers and practitioners for a two-day, in-person workshop at geo-konzept’s facility in Adelschlag, Germany. The workshop brought together participants from across Europe to focus on a shared goal: making hyperspectral data acquisition and analysis more practical, accessible, and repeatable in real-world remote sensing workflows.
Attendees represented a mix of experienced researchers, applied scientists, and those newer to hyperspectral and LiDAR-based remote sensing. By combining classroom instruction with live field demonstrations, the program emphasized learning by doing—walking through the full workflow rather than isolating individual tools or technologies.
End-to-End Hyperspectral Drone Workflows for Remote Sensing
Rather than focusing on individual components, the workshop was structured to reflect how remote sensing projects unfold in practice. Sessions progressed step by step, covering:
- Mission and flight planning, including preparation of drone platforms with LiDAR and hyperspectral payloads
- Field data collection, with live drone flight demonstrations
- Data handling and preparation, from download to initial quality checks
- Data processing, including reflectance conversion, orthorectification, and preparation of analysis-ready datasets
- Hyperspectral image analysis, applying software tools to interpret results and extract insights
This start-to-finish approach helped participants understand not only how individual steps work, but how they connect—a recurring challenge for teams adopting advanced sensing technologies.
Hands-On Learning for Hyperspectral Drone Data Collection and Analysis
A defining feature of the workshop was the emphasis on open exchange and shared experience. Participants discussed real-world use cases drawn from research campaigns, commercial projects, and field deployments—highlighting both successes and lessons learned.
“Workshops like this create space for honest, practical conversations,” said David Blair, Vice President and General Manager of Remote Sensing at Headwall. “People learn not just from the technology, but from each other—what worked, what didn’t, and how workflows can be improved.”
That exchange extended beyond formal sessions, reinforcing the value of in-person collaboration for applied remote sensing communities.
Applied Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Through Industry Collaboration
The workshop was conducted under the Center for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Europe (CHRSE), an initiative established in late 2019 by Headwall and geo-konzept to support early adoption of hyperspectral and complementary sensor technologies in applied remote sensing.
Today, that same collaborative focus continues through direct partnerships and hands-on workshops hosted with geo-konzept—centered on practical workflows for agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection, and grounded in real operational needs.
Advancing Practical Hyperspectral Drone Remote Sensing
Workshops like the session in Adelschlag reflect an ongoing commitment to supporting applied sensing beyond product delivery—by helping teams understand workflows, share experiences, and accelerate learning across the remote sensing community.
To learn more about upcoming workshops or to discuss hyperspectral and drone-based remote sensing workflows, contact Headwall.
