SLRB Partners with Aetosky to Lead Bahrain’s Digital Transformation
AI-powered change detection system driving smart cities and digital transformation in Bahrain.
The Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) announced a groundbreaking partnership with Aetosky and Planet Labs, ushering in a new era of AI-powered urban planning and environmental monitoring in Bahrain. This collaboration enhances municipal operations and urban management by leveraging high-resolution satellite imagery and cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology.
His Excellency Engineer Basim bin Yacob Al-Hamer, President of SLRB, recently met with Abhay Mittal, CEO of Aetosky, and Sandip Banerjee, Vice President of Aetosky, to discuss the capabilities of this innovative system and its impact on Bahrain’s ongoing digital transformation efforts. The meeting highlighted the strategic role of AI and geospatial data in supporting the country’s sustainable development goals and improving governance through data-driven decision-making.
This advanced technology is a milestone in our commitment to sustainable development and intelligent urban management. It enhances our capabilities to monitor and manage changes across Bahrain with unprecedented speed and accuracy, supporting the development of smart cities, sustainable agriculture, and proactive environmental protection.
- H.E Eng. Basim Yacob Alhamer, President of the SLRB
Developed in coordination with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, the project combines Planet’s SkySat high-resolution satellite imagery (50 cm resolution) with Aetosky’s AI-driven Change Detection Analysis. This powerful combination enables accurate monitoring of building modifications, urban changes, and environmental activities across 850 square kilometres of Bahrain’s territory. The solution sets a new standard for smart city governance by enhancing the efficiency of building permit validation and urban planning processes.
Transforming Urban Planning with AI and Satellite Data
The newly launched system integrates advanced AI with satellite imagery to monitor structural, urban, and environmental changes in near real-time. Using biweekly satellite updates, it identifies changes such as building modifications, rooftop alterations, vegetation shifts, and water body transformations.
This technology is a game-changer for local authorities, enabling rapid responses to unauthorised activities and improving compliance with urban planning regulations. While traditional monitoring methods remain essential for verification, they are time-consuming and limited in scope. The AI-powered system complements these methods by acting as a tip-and-cue solution, providing automated alerts for areas that require immediate attention.
Key Features of the Change Detection System
AI-Powered Change Detection: Automatically detects and flags changes in urban and natural landscapes using high-resolution satellite imagery.
Building Modification and Permit Validation: Identifies unauthorised constructions and structural changes, enhancing compliance.
Environmental Monitoring: Tracks vegetation growth, coastal erosion, and water body alterations, supporting sustainability initiatives.
Data Cube Technology: Manages large spatial-temporal datasets, allowing efficient analysis of historical and current data to identify trends and optimise resource allocation.
The Role of Aetosky and Planet
Aetosky, a leader in AI-driven geospatial analytics, plays a central role in delivering the system’s change detection capabilities. Abhay Mittal, CEO of Aetosky, emphasised the importance of this partnership:
We are proud to support SLRB in its digital transformation journey. Our solutions are powered by AI and designed to empower government agencies with near-instant insights, enabling them to improve service delivery and foster sustainable urban growth. We are confident that our partnership with SLRB will yield significant benefits for Bahrain’s citizens and economy.
- Abhay Mittal, Aetosky CEO
Planet Labs provides continuous satellite imagery that forms the foundation of the monitoring system. Its SkySat constellation delivers high-resolution images every two weeks, ensuring up-to-date information for decision-making. Will Marshall, CEO and co-founder of Planet, noted:
The Kingdom of Bahrain is setting an example for the region by adopting advanced technologies that streamline urban management and improve resource efficiency. We look forward to supporting similar initiatives in other countries.
- Will Marshall, Planet CEO
Supporting Sustainable Development and Smart City Management
The AI-powered change detection system aligns with Bahrain’s Government Programme 2023–2026, which emphasises digital transformation as a core pillar for national growth. By providing accurate and timely data, the system supports government departments in urban planning, environmental protection, and transportation management.
Key benefits include:
Sustainable Urban Planning: Ensures well-regulated urban growth while protecting green spaces and natural ecosystems.
Improved Environmental Resilience: Tracks coastal erosion and vegetation changes to mitigate climate change impacts.
Data-Driven Governance: Reduces response times and improves compliance monitoring with real-time insights.
Powered by Aetosky’s data cube technology, the system manages and analyses vast spatial-temporal datasets, offering valuable insights into urban and environmental trends. This capability enables authorities to plan more effectively and allocate resources optimally.
A Centralised Data Hub for Bahrain’s Digital Transformation
As part of its broader digital transformation strategy, SLRB aims to become a centralised data hub for various government departments. The change detection system is a significant step towards achieving this goal, providing continuous monitoring and actionable insights that support sustainable development.
The collaboration between SLRB, Aetosky, and Planet is a milestone in Bahrain’s journey towards smart city development. By adopting advanced AI and satellite technologies, Bahrain is positioning itself as a leader in modern urban management practices.
Invitation to Collaborate with Aetosky
Aetosky is proud to partner with organisations like SLRB in their digital transformation efforts. We remain committed to empowering governments and civil institutions with innovative solutions that drive smarter urban planning and sustainable growth. Our expertise and technology are available to other forward-thinking organisations looking to modernise their operations and embrace the future of AI-driven change detection and environmental monitoring.