A New Reality for Geospatial Professionals

Mixed-reality Tools Reveal Practical Advantages on the Worksite

For those who believe mixed-reality solutions are still pie-in-the-sky technology for gamers and super nerds, it may be time to reconsider. Analysts believe we have reached a tipping point in the evolution of virtual and mixed-reality solutions, with enterprise adoption now outpacing consumer markets like gaming and entertainment. According to a recent report by IDC, manufacturing and construction are the two biggest enterprise adopters. This article explores how mixed reality will help surveyors expand their services and gain the flexibility and agility needed to drive more efficient everyday operations. Mixed-reality solutions merge real and virtual worlds to create brand-new environments... (read more)

2018-07-13 03:35:29

Tackling Problems in Construction with Geospatial Analytics

The construction industry has always lagged behind in innovation compared to other industries, but geospatial data analytics is now set to transform construction, architectural design and civil engineering. Geospatial data analytics is location-based information generated by billions of devices around the world. The additional insights provided to engineers and architects can help the construction industry to cut costs and improve efficiency. Core problems with the construction industry To understand the gains made from data analytics, it’s important to explain the problems the construction industry faces. According to a report, construction projects take 20% longer to complete and go over budget by... (read more)

2019-11-04 11:49:21

Bridging the Gap between Geospatial and Construction

There is certainly a gap in information exchange between the geospatial and construction domains. This is a serious issue, mainly because geospatial systems and engineering surveys are not yet aligned and integrated with building information modelling (BIM). The BIM method is expected to move construction activities from plan-based individual work to model-based collaboration. Such a paradigm shift will bring huge opportunities regarding planning, building and management of the built environment in a more productive, open and sustainable way. Although it is still difficult to entirely close the gap between these two fields, this article shows how that gap can at... (read more)

2020-02-14 09:44:12

Geospatial Tools that Help Serve the AEC Industry

Read about three geospatial tools that are particularly relevant for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry: BIM, virtual/augmented/mixed reality, and project collaboration software. Of the dozens of geospatial hardware and software tools currently in use, only a few – such as bathymetric Lidar, GNSS-based vehicle tracking devices and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) – are not directly relevant to the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. The rest of the tools are. A GIS interprets the geographic context of a project, while the survey-grade GNSS technology builds it; aerial photogrammetry maps the project’s site, as UAVs monitor exterior progress; and mobile... (read more)

2019-11-27 08:48:24

How Geospatial Data Supports a Digital Railway Project

Linking Nations, People and Places

The scope of the Rail Baltica Global Project comprises 870km of tracks, 25km of major structures and more than 400 bridge structures (bridges, overpasses, viaducts, pedestrian crossings and animal crossings), as well as three freight terminals and seven international passenger stations. Besides that, there are rolling stock maintenance facilities, an energy subsystem and signalling. This article zooms in on the pivotal role geospatial technology plays in the BIM strategy that underpins the digital version of Rail Baltica. When it comes to modelling this highly ambitious project in a digital environment, in order to manage Rail Baltica as a single asset,... (read more)

2020-01-07 01:40:22

Expanding Horizons: Geospatial Predictions for the Coming Years

From New York to Dubai to Myanmar, more smart cities are springing up across the globe. As more countries start to digitally transform, the futuristic cities and state-of-the-art gadgets that once belonged only to the realms of science fiction may soon become our reality... and they will be made possible with the advancement of the geospatial industry. The global geospatial analytics market is estimated to be worth USD$134.48 billion by 2025, with the market registering a compound annual growth rate of 15% between 2019 and 2025[1]. Asia Pacific is also expected to see the highest growth during that period, fuelled by numerous... (read more)

2020-06-02 10:18:01

Bigger, Faster, Automated: Geospatial Technology Trends in 2020 and Beyond

Today's three main trends in geospatial technology are bigger datasets, faster digital adoption and autonomous connected ecosystems, according to Josh Weiss, Chief Digital Officer at Hexagon’s Geosystems division. If there is one thing I’ve learned during my last year and a half as Chief Digital Officer at Hexagon’s Geosystems division, technology is in constant evolution. From cutting my teeth in the steel industry to leading Hexagon’s Mining division, I’ve had a front-row seat to the continuous advancements in geospatial technology and its use in various industrial applications, such as vehicle safety systems and 3D laser scanning visualization. While there is... (read more)

2020-07-29 09:59:59

Innovation and the Extending Reach of Geospatial Intelligence

The need for geospatial intelligence has never been so great. Today’s global challenges are reinforcing a growing requirement for precise location information and situational awareness insight about assets, resources, vehicles and people. This is for economic reasons as well as environmental and societal ones. The importance of the sector is also reflected in the UK’s Geospatial Strategy, “Unlocking the power of location” as recently launched by the Geospatial Commission. Underpinning technological advances The convergence of some core technology developments, including many associated with Industry 4.0, is driving advances in geospatial solutions and the opportunity for further innovation. With the emerging digital era... (read more)

2020-08-25 09:53:19

How Digitalization in the Construction Industry Drives the Geospatial Business Forward

In a recent survey among geospatial surveyors, the growth in construction, infrastructure and urban planning is revealed as an important role of the optimistic outlook for the geospatial industry. Increasing investments in large infrastructure and construction projects, and the rise of building information modelling (BIM), are expected to bring bright prospects both for geospatial equipment manufacturers as geospatial service providers. The survey was conducted by 'GIM International', the leading publication for mapping and surveying professionals worldwide. In the GIM International study, a relatively high number of surveying companies mentioned the AEC and infrastructure markets as areas where they foresee the biggest possibilities... (read more)

2020-02-26 01:18:08

Michael Schwind

Michael Schwind is a geospatial engineer for Fulton Construction in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, and CEO of Osprey Geospatial Solutions LLC. He holds a BSc in Geography and GIS from Texas A&M University and a MSc in Geospatial Surveying Engineering from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. (read more)

2017-09-28 10:37:25