The Next Big Thing: Geospatial Technology

The geospatial industry is the next big thing for technology and innovation, both for the market and for mainstream IT, engineering, and autonomous industries. The geospatial industry drives the knowledge economy by making technology and workflow systems easier to use and by offering quick and flexible solutions to economic and social problems around the world.

From mechanization to automation, big data to customized applications and digital services, technology innovations implemented across all industries and business functions amplify impact and bring unprecedented efficiencies across industries, socio-economic domains, and technological domains for a more sustainable and resilient world.

Let's learn about the technological advancements within the context of geospatial technology.

Mechanization to automation

Mechanization refers to the use of machines to perform tasks that were previously done by humans. In geospatial technology, this could mean using machines like drones or robots to collect data or do mapping work.

Automation, on the other hand, is when technology is used to do things without any help from a person. This can include things like analyzing and displaying data and using machine learning algorithms to find patterns and trends in geospatial data.

In geospatial technology, one way that mechanization is used is to use drones to take high-resolution aerial imagery. Drones can cover large areas quickly and efficiently, and the data they collect can be used for a variety of purposes, including mapping, land use analysis, and disaster response.

Automation in geospatial technology can also be used to streamline workflows and improve efficiency. For example, automated tools for processing and analyzing data can cut down on the time and work needed to analyze large datasets. This lets geospatial experts focus on more complicated tasks.

Overall, using mechanization and automation in geospatial technology can help improve accuracy, speed, and efficiency in a wide range of applications, from planning land use to managing natural resources to responding to disasters.

Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)

Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) are some of the most important technologies used in geospatial technology to find out where something is, how it is positioned, and what time it is.

Positioning refers to the process of determining the location of an object or system. This can be done using a variety of technologies, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, which are satellite-based systems that use triangulation to determine the position of a receiver on the ground. Other methods, like inertial navigation systems (INS) and dead reckoning, can also be used to figure out where you are, but they are usually not as accurate as systems that use satellites.

Navigation is the process of figuring out where an object or system is facing or where it is going. This can be done with the help of technologies like gyroscopes and magnetometers, which can measure an object's rotational speed and the strength of its magnetic field, respectively.

Timing refers to the process of determining the time of an event or measurement. This can be done using technologies such as atomic clocks, which are highly accurate clocks that use the natural resonance frequency of atoms to measure time. Timing is important in geospatial technology because it is often necessary to synchronize the measurements or observations of different systems or devices, and this requires accurate time information.

Overall, PNT technologies are an important part of geospatial technology because they provide the location, orientation, and time information that is needed for a wide range of uses, such as mapping, surveying, tracking assets, and more.

Analytics-as-a-Service (AaaS)

Analytics-as-a-Service (AaaS) is a cloud-based service model in which a company or organization lets customers subscribe to analytics capabilities. In the context of geospatial technology, AaaS can be used to provide access to powerful analytics tools and services that can help customers extract insights and make better-informed decisions based on their geospatial data.

One common use case for AaaS in geospatial technology is for organizations that need to analyze large volumes of geospatial data but do not have the resources or expertise to do so in-house. AaaS providers can offer a variety of analytics services, such as data processing, data visualization, and machine learning, which can help customers get more out of their data and make better decisions.

Another benefit of AaaS in geospatial technology is that it can give customers access to advanced analytics tools and technologies that they might not be able to buy and keep up themselves or that would be too expensive. This can include GIS software and other tools for spatial analysis, as well as machine learning algorithms and other tools for advanced analytics.

Overall, AaaS can make it easy and inexpensive for organizations to get the analytics tools they need to make smart decisions based on their geospatial data.

Miniaturization of Sensors

The trend of making sensors smaller and lighter while keeping or improving their performance is called "miniaturization." Miniaturization has had a big effect on geospatial technology because it has made it possible to use smaller, more portable devices to collect and analyze geospatial data.

One example of the impact of miniaturization in geospatial technology is the use of small, lightweight drones for data collection. The development of smaller and more efficient sensors has made it possible to use drones for a wide range of applications, including mapping, land use analysis, and disaster response.

The use of handheld GPS devices for surveying and mapping is another way that miniaturization has changed things. These devices are much smaller and easier to move around than traditional surveying tools. They can be used to collect data in a wide range of places, even those that are hard to reach or dangerous.

Overall, the miniaturization of sensors has made a big difference in the field of geospatial technology by making it possible to collect and analyze data with smaller, more portable devices. This has opened up new possibilities for data collection and analysis in a wide range of applications.

Indoor Positioning

Indoor positioning means using technology to figure out where a person or thing is inside a building or other enclosed space. This is a challenging task because many of the technologies that are used for outdoor positioning, such as GPS, do not work well indoors due to the presence of walls and other obstacles that can block or interfere with the signals.

In geospatial technology, indoor positioning is often used for a wide range of tasks, such as navigating, keeping track of assets, and providing location-based services. Some common technologies that are used for indoor positioning include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ultrasonic or infrared signals.

One example of the use of indoor positioning in geospatial technology is in the development of indoor maps and floor plans. These maps can be used to help people navigate inside a building, and they can be generated using a variety of technologies, including laser scanning, photogrammetry, and structured light scanning.

Another example is the use of indoor positioning to track the location of assets or personnel inside a building. This can be useful for many things, like keeping track of inventory and responding to emergencies.

Overall, indoor positioning is a key technology in the field of geospatial technology that enables a wide range of applications and services in indoor environments.

New Space

"New Space" refers to the emerging industry of private companies and organizations that are involved in the exploration and development of space. This industry is known for using new technologies and business models, and it has the potential to change how space-based activities like satellite launches and space exploration are done.

In terms of geospatial technology, New Space has the potential to change how geospatial data is collected and analyzed. One example is the use of small, low-cost satellites for data collection. These satellites are much smaller and less expensive than traditional satellites, and they can be used for a wide range of applications, including mapping, remote sensing, and earth observation.

Another example is the use of rockets that can be used more than once. This makes it much cheaper to send satellites and other payloads into space. This can make it cheaper to collect and analyze geospatial data on a regular basis, which can be useful for things like keeping an eye on how land is used or how the environment is changing.

Overall, the emergence of "New Space" has the potential to transform the way that geospatial technology is used and to enable new applications and services that were not previously possible.

As global problems keep getting bigger and more complicated, it's more important than ever to use technology to make things easier and have a bigger impact across industries. The geospatial industry is at the front of this movement, leading the way by making technology and workflow systems easier to use. If you want to learn more about how you can leverage geospatial technology within your own industry or business function, we invite you to connect with us. Our team of experts is ready and waiting to partner with you to create a more sustainable and resilient world.