Wikipedia

MyRadar

MyRadar is a free weather forecasting application developed and run by CEO Andy Green and his Orlando, Florida-based company ACME AtronOmatic. Beginning operations in 2008, the app for its first decade ran solely on free government-provided weather and radar data, but still became popular. To publish improved predictions of ongoing weather unique to the app, the first of many personal satellites was launched by the app in 2019. With funding to improve the apps radar and imaging notably coming from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR), ACME was able to create a weather data satellite constellation named "Hyperspectral Orbital Remote Imaging Spectrometer" (HORIS), which runs off of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to create a current weather map. With the introduction of additional of features including the detection of wildfires and illegal fishing, the app has more broadly become an environmental intelligence app since 2022. In 2024, the app partnered with the Total Traffic and Weather Network (TTWN) to provide traffic flow and incident data for users with paying subscriptions via CarPlay and Android Auto, becoming one of the first weather apps to do so.

MyRadar
Original author(s)Andy Green
Developer(s)ACME AtronOmatic
Initial release2008; 16 years ago (2008)
Available in9 languages
List of languages
  • Dutch
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
TypeWeather forecasting

The app has received both positive and negative criticism since its launch, with positive criticism revolving around a number of the app's features, and negative criticism revolving around the selling of users data.

History

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The creator of the app, Andy Green, had created internet tech since the 1980s.[1] His first major project was the development of a public access internet service company based in Rhode Island, which he later sold to finance the creation of ACME AtronOmatic ("ACME" for short), based in Orlando, Florida.[1] The first major app created by ACME was called "Flightwise", which provided users with flight tracking information.[1] In the summer of 2008, Green had the idea to use the animated location tracker already built-in to Flightwise to make a stand-alone weather forecasting app after wondering if a meal he was eating outdoors would get rained out.[1] Despite running solely off of free government-provided weather and radar data for the first decade after launch, Green said the app "took off like wildfire" in downloads.[1] In December 2017, the app partnered with "TripIt" to provide users with information about flight delays and gate changes, eliminating the need for a separate app like Flightwise.[2]

In 2019, ACME launched their first personal satellite for the app, a small prototype from New Zealand, as part of an effort to provide detailed imagery and improved predictions of ongoing weather unique to the app.[1] More satellites were eventually launched by ACME to create a weather data satellite constellation named "Hyperspectral Orbital Remote Imaging Spectrometer" (HORIS), monitored by ground stations maintained by Kongsberg Satellite Services.[3] HORIS operates MyRadar by taking the environmental data and imagery it collects and pairing it with machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to create a real-time weather map.[3] Some AI elements of HORIS were taken from EndpointAI Inc., which ACME purchased in September 2020.[4] In 2022, HORIS was expanded upon after ACME won approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve their satellite constellation to including 250 satellites or more.[3] Main batch of satellites were PocketQubes, which entered the atmosphere on 2 May 2022 by Rocket Lab Electron launched also from New Zealand, with the additional purpose to test and validate the existing satellites in orbit.[3] On 20 July 2022, the app partnered with the Allstate-owned company "Arity" to provide information about road conditions for drivers who share their location data.[5][6] In October 2022, ACME received a US$150,000 research grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve the app's wildfire detection and air quality measurement technology to better detect smoke, aerosols, fire hotspots using satellites and aerial drones.[7] On 20 July 2023, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) accepted a proposal by ACME to partner with the Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) to create a tool which more accurately predicts cloud representations for the app, which likewise was meant to benefit the Navy.[8] On 18 August 2023, phase two of the NOAA grant was approved, providing an additional US$650,000 to aid in the app's aforementioned goals by launching a pair of CubeSat satellites to provide high definition infrared imagery.[9] On 8 September 2023, the app secured another US$1,200,000 in crowd funding to aid accomplishing the goals of the NOAA grant by expanding the app's workforce from 35 to 100 employees by the end of 2024.[10]

In January 2024, MyRadar partnered with Total Traffic and Weather Network (TTWN) to provide comprehensive traffic data overlayed with its pre-existing weather graphics for users in the United States.[11] The partnership allowed for the app to additionally become a tool for navigation. This officially became a feature days later on 8 January 2024, when the app was made compatible with Apple's CarPlay, becoming one of the first weather apps to gain this ability.[12] On 7 February 2024, the Android equivalent Android Auto also gained the ability to display the app on car interfaces.[13][14] In March 2024, the app launched a "meteorological wedding planning service" in the United States and Canada for prices between US$1,000 and US$5,000, in which users can request a personal meteorologist to provide an in-person meeting about the best dates for a wedding, and on-call local weather updates the day of.[15] In July 2024, the app launched a sweepstakes for one user to join a team of two professional storm chasers during the 2025 tornado season.[16]

Features and general information

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The app's primary function is to provide weather forecasting and prediction to users.[1] The app includes toggleable options to track and send alerts to users for rain, wind patterns, earthquakes, tornadoes, tropical cyclones, wildfires, and more.[1] In early 2020, a feature was added to track orbital objects such as the International Space Station.[1] In May 2022, with the imagery improvement of HORIS, the app gained the secondary abilities to better monitor algae blooms, coral reefs, illegal fishing, and wildfires.[3] In July 2022, a feature called "MyDrives" was added which provides drivers with weather conditions on the road, and likewise routes to avoid inclement weather.[5] In January and February 2024, the ability to display traffic flow and incident data in a feature called "RouteCast" was added, and can be displayed in video and 3D options via CarPlay and Android Auto for users with paying subscriptions.[11][13] The app also provides annual tropical storm and tornado outlooks for their respective seasons,[17] gathered through satellite and ariel drone data,[7] as well as through on the ground storm chasers.[16][18] The app is free, but does offer in-app purchases for additional material like some of those listed above.[19]

The app is headquartered on 111 W. Jefferson Street, Suite 200 in Orlando, Florida.[10] The founder and CEO is Andy Green, the Chief Scientist and Chief Technology Officer is Sarvesh Garimella,[10] and the senior meteorologist is Matthew Cappucci.[16] Users are only able to download the app in Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States,[10] but the app is available in nine languages.[19]

Reception and criticism

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The app has more than fifty million downloads,[1] and has an active userbase of around fifteen million across iOS, Android, and Windows devices in 2024.[11] During the 44th Annual In 2020, the app was regarded by the newspaper Florida Trend as "one of the top radar and weather prediction smartphone apps".[1] In 2024, the New York Post criticized the app for sending user data to the AllState-owned company Arity, who MyRadar had partnered with in 2022,[5] which uses data such as speeding and sudden braking to impact car insurance rates of the user.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Keller, Amy (26 August 2020). "An Orlando app developer builds on his 50 million-downloaded MyRadar". Florida Trend. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  2. ^ Yerman, Jordan (21 December 2017). "MyRadar App Adds Flight Updates Thanks to TripIt Integration". Airline Passenger Experience Association. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e Werner, Debra (10 March 2022). "Acme plans 250-satellite weather data constellation". Space News. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  4. ^ "ACME AtronOmatic, LLC, Creators of MyRadar App, Acquires EndpointAI". GlobeNewswire. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Rain or Shine, Mobility Data Gives Drivers Insight to Stay Safe on the Road In Time for Hurricane Season". Business Wire. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b Zilber, Ariel (10 June 2024). "Car insurance companies secretly collecting driver data with the help of phone apps: report". New York Post. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b Werner, Debra (15 November 2022). "MyRadar expands wildfire detection with NOAA funding". Space News. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  8. ^ "MyRadar Awarded Phase I STTR contract By The Office of Naval Research (ONR) to Develop Advanced Weather and Environmental Data Visualization". GlobeNewswire. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  9. ^ Werner, Debra (25 August 2023). "MyRadar to validate technology with NOAA funding". Space News. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Kinbar, Sarah (11 September 2023). "With $1.85 million in funding, it's off to outer space for Orlando-based MyRadar". Orlando Business Journal. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Winslow, George (10 January 2024). "Total Traffic & Weather Network and MyRadar Partner Partner on Integrated Television Traffic Solutions". TV Technology. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  12. ^ Hall, Zac (18 January 2024). "MyRadar for iPhone now works with CarPlay, bringing weather maps to the road". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  13. ^ a b Schoon, Ben (7 February 2024). "Android Auto gets another new weather app that shows live radar on your route". 9to5Google. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  14. ^ Diaz, Nickolas (9 February 2024). "Android Auto gains MyRadar to help drivers stay ahead of dangerous weather". Android Central. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  15. ^ Merry, Stephanie Allmon (15 March 2024). "Austin's newest over-the-top wedding amenity: A personal weather concierge". CultureMap Austin. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "MyRadar Launches Thrilling Storm-Chasing Contest for Weather Enthusiasts". Newswire. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  17. ^ "MyRadar Releases Its First Annual Tropical Outlook Ahead of Atlantic Hurricane Season". Newswire. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  18. ^ O'Brien, Miles; Toubman, Will (19 July 2024). "How storm chasers and meteorologists are working together to improve tornado forecasts". PBS. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  19. ^ a b "MyRadar Weather Radar". App Store. Retrieved 30 August 2024.

28°32′42″N 81°22′53″W / 28.54500°N 81.38139°W / 28.54500; -81.38139

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