Advanced Moisture
Mapping Technology

Experience high-resolution moisture mapping with our passive microwave technology, providing detailed insights into subsurface soil and vegetation water content across various industries.

About TerraRad

TerraRad is a Swiss startup and spinoff from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), part of the ETH Zürich domain. Our work is rooted in decades of research in Earth observation and remote sensing.

We develop ground-based and mobile systems that use passive microwave technology, a sensing method more commonly found aboard satellites. Our solutions – including turfRad, PoLRa, and supporting software – turn raw moisture data into actionable, high-resolution maps.

TerraRad systems have been deployed on five continents, from the Amazon to Antarctica, for a wide range of scientific, agricultural, and environmental applications.

Strategic Partnerships include

Industries

Unlock the full potential of TerraRad’s advanced moisture mapping across key sectors. Our technology empowers professionals to make better decisions, save resources, and drive measurable results.

Turfgrass

Save resources and optimize playing conditions with turfRad.

Research

Support environmental studies with precise moisture data.

Agriculture

Reduce water usage by implementing data-driven irrigation strategies.

Construction

Evaluate moisture content, bulk density, salinity, and surface roughness.

Technology

At the core of TerraRad’s innovation is our portable L-band radiometer, built on the same passive remote sensing principles used by Earth observation satellites like ESA’s SMOS and NASA’s SMAP.

Our sensors bring the accuracy of satellite-based observation to ground level – providing precise, real-time moisture data that supports smarter decisions in agriculture, turf management, environmental monitoring, and more.

Supported by

Our Products

TerraRad‘s products include turfRad, designed specifically for the turfgrass industry, and the PoLRa, a versatile solution adaptable to various sectors including research and agriculture. Both radiometers deliver precise moisture mapping, empowering you with the data needed to optimize your operations. 

turfRad

Mapping root-zone soil moisture to save resources and optimize playing conditions.

PoLRa

Measuring soil moisture at field scale to advance research and environmental monitoring.

turfRad
PoLRa

Our Latest News

Distribution Uniformity Explained: Why Your Sprinklers Are Lying to You

Distribution Uniformity is one of the most widely used irrigation metrics – but it only measures how evenly sprinklers apply…

How The Els Club Vilamoura Uses turfRad

Water management is becoming one of the defining challenges for golf course superintendents. Discover how The Country Club at Castle…

How The Country Club at Castle Pines Made Every Gallon Count

Water management is becoming one of the defining challenges for golf course superintendents. Discover how The Country Club at Castle…