EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY LAB

ABOUT THE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY LAB

The Exploration Technology Lab builds and deploys breakthrough systems and hardware to accelerate exploration and understanding of our natural and cultural heritage.

EXTREME EXPLORATION

Developing and deploying extreme environment technologies that provide unprecedented insights into some of the most extreme and inaccessible environments and cultural heritage sites on Earth.

EXTREME EXPLORATION

DEEP OCEAN DROPCAM

Deep Ocean Dropcam is a low-cost, low-logistics research tool for probing the deep ocean. These fully autonomous systems combine a high-definition camera and lights inside a glass pressure housing, and can capture high-quality imagery of the deep sea floor. Dropcams have has been deployed more than 500 times worldwide.

CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY

Deploying advanced imaging sensors, machine learning algorithms and systems to provide real-time data for monitoring biodiversity distribution, patterns and trends; detecting illegal fishing and poaching; and bringing protected areas “to life”.

CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY

NEXT GENERATION WILDLIFE CAMERA TRAP

The wildlife-silent, production-grade camera trap system enables the presentation of high-quality, impactful imagery to share the story of our planet’s biodiversity. These automated camera systems are placed in locations too dangerous for photographers to stay or where a human presence would frighten away animals.

CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY

CRITTERCAM

Carried by wild, free-ranging animals, Crittercam gathers video that provides highly detailed information on behavior that other instruments or human observers cannot provide. The Crittercam program uses technology to promote education, conservation activities and scientific research. Crittercam data has advanced conservation and research to protect the Hawaiian monk seal, humpback whales, waterbuck, fur seals, African elephants, Tasmanian devils and green sea turtles, just to name a few.

Photo credits (from top of page): Martin Edstrom (Top Image) ; (DropCam Video Sequence) ; Andy Bardon (Extreme Exploration) ; Shelby Randenberg (Dropcam) ; Jen Guyton  *(Next Generation Camera Trap) ; Greg Marshall (Crittercam)

*This image is a composite image created by compiling photos taken at 1 minute intervals over the course of a day.

Get updates about our critical work to explore and protect our planet.

GIVE TODAY!

Act before December 31! All donations to the National Geographic Society will be matched dollar for dollar through the end of the year. Make your tax-deductible gift today and make TWICE the impact for Explorers working to preserve threatened species around the world.