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Scientific Overview

Xabier’s research focuses on the monitoring of natural hazards such as rockfalls or floods events using photogrammetric systems and advanced computer vision strategies. He has an active postdoctoral position in the Geosensor Systems Group at TU Dresden and is a collaborator of the RISKNAT group at the University of Barcelona.

His research interests range from the development of photogrammetric systems for automated rockfall monitoring (explored in his PhD Thesis) to the development of Deep Learning based strategies for metric image processing (main focus of his PostDoc).

His research is multidisciplinary and combines, on the one hand, his engineering and programming skills and, on the other hand, his extensive knowledge of the natural hazards analyzed. This combination allows him to develop advanced surveillance systems and AI workflows for accurate geohazards monitoring.

Interests

  • Natural Hazards
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Digital Photogrammetry
  • Image Based Monitoring
  • Machine Learning
  • Deep Learning
  • Geosensors Solutions

Education

  • PhD in Earth Sciences, 2022
    University of Barcelona
  • MSc in Teaching in Secondary Schools (Maths), 2017
    Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • BSc in Geological Enginering, 2016
    Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
  • MSc in Gelogical Hazards, 2015
    University of Barcelona
  • BSc in Techinical Surveying Engineer, 2014
    Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

SKILLS

Digital
Photogrammetry

Natural Hazards
Monitoring

Image based
Monitoring

Machine Learning
Deep Learning

SOFTWARE
&
CODE

Python
(Advanced user)

MATLAB
(Normal user)

Metashape
(Expert user)

PyTorch
(Normal user)

Tensor Flow
(Normal user)

Publications & Resources
Active Projects
KIWA – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR FLOOD WARNING

The project aims are the development and demonstration of AI-based tools for flood warning and observation, in order to support disaster control and management to cope with large-scale emergencies caused by heavy rain and floods. These tools include data-driven rainfall-runoff models that emulate the behavior of the catchment areas and rainfall from different data sources (ensemble forecasts, short-range forecasts, etc.) for early runoff prediction and warning. Furthermore, AI-based algorithms are developed for image-based, robust quantification of water levels and flow velocities using cameras, which will allow for a remote and mobile operation.  The AIs will be integrated into an operations command demonstrator. Through collaboration with associated partners from the field, the requirements for the AI-based demonstrator will be ascertained and its acceptance tested. The project is a joint project with the Chair of Hydrology at the TU Dresden and the Frauenhofer Institute.

GRANADA – ALHAMBRA  |  4D ROCKFALL MONITORING

The monitoring network installed by researchers from the University of Barcelona (UB), the University of Leeds (UL) and the University of Granada (UG), within the offer signed with the Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife in 2019, is composed of five data collection stations, which allow the capture of images at different times throughout the day. From these images, 3D models and point clouds are obtained through photogrammetric processes that allow, through the multi-temporal comparison of these data, the detection and study of the erosive processes that cause the retreat of the Tajo de San Pedro.

Research Projects
  • 2021 – 2024 | Künstliche Intelligenz für die Hochwasserwarnung (KIWA) | Amount: 1.453.711 € (link)

  • 2020 – 2021 | Vigilancia y seguimiento de la erosión en el tajo de San Pedro, Granada | Amount: 18.002 €

  • 2020 – 2021 | Auscultació de massissos rocosos, mitjançant làser escàner terrestre TLS, a la muntanya de Montserrat i a Castellfollit de la Roca (any 2020) | Amount: 14.817 €

  • 2019 – 2020 | Auscultació de massissos rocosos, mitjançant làser escàner terrestre TLS, a la muntanya de Montserrat i a Castellfollit de la Roca (any 2021) | Amount: 14.817 €

  • 2018 – 2021 | Monitoreo, Modelización e Integración de métodos para el Control de Procesos Activos en Montañas (PROMONTEC) | Amount: 242.000 €

  • 2021 – 2024 | Montaje e instalación de sistemas fotogramétricos para el estudio del retroceso del Tajo de San Pedro mediante técnicas 4D | Amount: 6.524 €

  • 2018 – 2019 | Oferta per a la realització del treball sobre l’Auscultació del massisos rocosos, mitjançant làser escàner terrestre TLS, a la muntanya de Montserrat i a Castellfollit de la Roca (any 2018) | Amount: 14.207 €

  • 2018 – 2019 | Aplicacions Inventari de despreniments de roques i deformacions premonitòries a la muntanya de Montserrat amb LiDAR Terrestre (TLS) (Any 2017) | Amount: 17.864 €

  • 2014 – 2017 | Caracterización y Control de Movimientos de Masa. Un Reto para la mitigación del Riesgo Geológico (CHARMA) | Amount: 121.000 €

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Junior Professorship for Geosensor Systems (TU Dresden)

Hülsse-Bau • W441 (4th floor, west wing)

Helmholtzstraße 10, Dresden 01069

xabier.blanch@tu-dresden.de