The foundations for CycloMedia were laid at the beginning of the 1980s, during research carried out by a small group led by Professor Theo Bogaerts at Delft University of Technology. They were looking for a solution for more efficient land survey, and panoramic imagery would allow land survey from a work station. The initial prototype of the recording system was analogue, using a black & white camera.

The first steps into the digital era were taken when CycloMedia began working with a digital film scanner and computerised measuring unit. In 1995 CycloMedia's first customer, the City of Rotterdam, was completely visualised. The world of digital photography and technology developed rapidly over subsequent years, opening up various new opportunities for the company and providing not only opportunities for innovation in recording systems, but also application. The technology evolved further, and in 2001 the first digital recording system was put into production. By the end of 2008 the seventh generation of Digital Cyclorama Recorder (DCR) was released, making it possible to record while driving (Pre-DCR7 incarnations of DCR required the vehicle to stop for each recording).

With over forty recording cars and 140 employees, CycloMedia is able to realise its visualisations within a large-scale and systematic production process. At a speed of up to 80km/hr a Cyclorama giving a roughly 360° view is taken every 5 metres on public roads. Cycloramas are generated from ‘street level' perspective, allowing the usual view of the surroundings to appear on a computer screen. Each visual has unique characteristics such as geometrical accuracy and geo-referencing, giving users the ability not to only visualise, but also measure, unlock content and inventory objects in public areas. In addition, CycloMedia uses its spherical panoramic imagery to automatically detect objects. The image analysis opportunities are numerous, such as detection of traffic signs, street furniture and trees.

CycloMedia has over eight hundred clients with continual access to the online database of tens of millions of Cycloramas. Integrating the images with their GIS or administrative system significantly optimises work processes and reduces expensive site visits. Many activities can be carried out from the computer. Communication, efficiency and quality of service are all improved. The Cyclorama database in the Netherlands is currently updated annually. Besides up-to-date image content, photographs of previous years remain accessible, allowing clients to detect changes in the observed environment. Government organisations, as frequent users of visual geo-information, are an important client group for CycloMedia. Cycloramas are used for inspecting objects, roads, signposting and public areas, valuation of building licence applications and real estate, evaluation, and for training and co-ordination of emergency/ disaster response efforts. In addition, various lines of business, from insurance to utility and homeland security to construction, make use of Cycloramas.

CycloMedia is increasingly active in other European countries and regions. A network of European partners allows the company to co-ordinate projects internationally. One recent example is the traffic-sign database assignment of the Flemish Department of Mobility and Public Services in Belgium. In 2008 CycloMedia won a Flemish government tender for visualisation of all the traffic signs, an initiative that makes Flanders an innovator within Europe. This up-to-date traffic-sign database can contribute significantly to traffic safety, reduce traffic inconvenience in the municipalities, and serve as a basis for the design of logistical and traffic studies.

In 2008 the company expanded towards the Middle East by establishing a joint venture, CycloMedia Middle East, between CycloMedia Technology and the private office of H.H. Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. The CycloMedia Middle East HQ is in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and works for several governmental organisations there, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and in Bahrain; for example, the Abu Dhabi Police and the Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs in Saudi Arabia. The local office in Abu Dhabi is a fully independent subsidiary, with local employees and locally produced cars. The company has established solid partnerships with local operating organisations like YMS Middle East (1) and Universal Geomatics (2) to provide the end customer with a full service solution, including CycloMedia imagery.

The Cyclorama market footprint and unique characteristics have set a base for future development. Strong international growth focuses the company on an increasingly efficient production process. To satisfy customer demand, the company will continue to expand its recording and processing resources and technique and will scale up further internationally. Even more development opportunities will arise from increasing customer need for greater accuracy, more functionality and integration of content types, combined with technological and digital advancements. CycloMedia's eventual aim is to deliver high-resolution imagery all over Europe and in the Middle East on an annual basis.

E-mail: amolhuysen@cyclomedia.com