The geospatial sector unpacked in six questions

In a recent roundtable, four prominent geospatial experts shed their light on the most impactful technological advancements over the past decade. Their insights into the evolution of the industry – particularly in the areas of uncrewed platforms, data processing and future trends – are of interest to readers of GIM International, providing a clearer understanding of how these advancements have driven our industry forward and are poised to reshape the geospatial landscape. The roundtable was organized in late 2024 as part of the 10^th anniversary celebrations of Geo-matching, the online platform that connects buyers and suppliers of geospatial software and equipment.

Introducing the experts

Our esteemed experts are: Jonathan Murphy, CEO of GoGeomatics Canada, Linda Foster, strategic visionary at Esri, Chris Trevillian, director of product go-to-market geospatial at Trimble, and Lee Hellen, CEO and founder of Kurloo Technology. With their extensive experience across various sectors within the geospatial industry, these experts bring a wide range of perspectives.

Question 1: Which technological development has had the most impact on the geospatial industry in the past decade?

• Jonathan Murphy: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with geospatial data has been one of the most transformative developments. The ability of AI and ML to automate data analysis and pattern recognition has significantly enhanced decision-making capabilities across industries. This shift has enabled more accurate predictions, efficient workflows, and the ability to handle vast geospatial datasets in real time. It’s incredible to see how AI has unlocked new possibilities, turning raw data into actionable insights like never before.
• Linda Foster: There have certainly been a number of technological developments in the last decade, so it is tough to pick just one. However, I would have to say the maturing of cloud computing and communication infrastructure has to be close to the top. It really allows us to leverage all of the other advancements in geospatial technology to their fullest potential. A close second is the growth of GNSS globally. Expanded coverage and more robust accessibility have enhanced and broadened what we can do and how we do it, and in a more accelerated state.
• Chris Trevillian: The two main technological developments I believe have had the biggest impact on the field users in the geospatial industry during the past decade are firstly, the broader adoption of remote sensing technologies, including 3D laser scanning, mobile mapping systems and UAS, and secondly, the rise of sensor fusion hardware like GNSS+IMU receivers. These two developments have unlocked massive productivity and safety gains in field data capture routines. In the office, my vote would be for the more recent developments in machine learning techniques which have sped up the process of extracting meaningful information from these large remote sensing datasets.
• Lee Hellen: If I were to select one, it would be positioning navigation and timing (PNT) by virtue of providing a foundation for all geospatial information. With the decreasing costs of space launches, the future for PNT and Earth observation (EO) looks incredibly influential. There are also many other layers of technological innovation – such as robotics, Lidar sensor systems, cloud and AI – that have already been highly influential over the past decade. Geospatial information advancement combines both technology and policy, so success would not have been possible without the national policy and international collaboration to allow those technologies to proliferate.

Question 2: What are your views on the evolution and current state of uncrewed platforms in the geospatial and hydrographic sectors over the past ten years?

• Jonathan Murphy: Uncrewed or unmanned aerial platforms like drones/UAVs and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have revolutionized the geospatial and hydrographic sectors, evolving from experimental tools into indispensable assets. These uncrewed platforms offer unmatched efficiency as they can cover areas that were once difficult or impossible to survey, often at very reasonable costs. Advancements in sensor technology and autonomous navigation have also evolved and expanded their application. From environmental monitoring to infrastructure inspection, these platforms are now integral to modern surveying, providing high-resolution data at a fraction of the time and cost compared to traditional methods.
• Linda Foster: Uncrewed platforms have become mainstream over the past decade thanks to advances in positioning communication and (micro)computing capabilities. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or ‘drones’) are perhaps the most deployed in the geospatial sector, but other types of uncrewed systems – such as unmanned surface vessels (USVs) used for hydrographic surveying – take advantage of many of the same advancements. They will undoubtedly continue to evolve, but have already established themselves as an important part of the geospatial arsenal.
• Chris Trevillian: It has been really amazing to witness the rapid change and adoption of uncrewed systems over the past decade. Ten years ago, the sensors were not well integrated, and the systems had limited awareness of their surroundings, which required a lot of pre-planning and logistics to have successful missions. Today, these systems carry a multitude of well-integrated sensors that can provide a much wider range of remote sensing capabilities. The entire workflow – from mission planning and deployment, to processing and deliverable creation – has been streamlined to a point where almost all customers I speak with have some element of UAS deployed in their business.
• Lee Hellen: Autonomous systems provide the ability to offer safer, more frequent, and temporarily precise solutions. This provides higher volumes of data that are more powerful for improving the confidence of change detection and geospatial analysis. I believe we are only just commencing the next digital age where data volumes from autonomous systems will become a major challenge for our industry. Providing truth or meaning from these systems will require our industry to extend our professional capability and capacity to allow our communities to operate with greater confidence and creativity to address and overcome the challenges of the future.

Question 3: How has data processing evolved over the past decade?

• Jonathan Murphy: Data processing has seen a leap forward with cloud computing and parallel processing enabling real-time analysis of massive datasets. The rise of big data analytics and advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning has also streamlined the extraction of meaningful insights from raw data. These developments have made processing faster, more accurate and scalable, allowing professionals to focus on data interpretation rather than data handling. In my opinion, the transition from desktop-based processing to cloud-based platforms marks a significant shift in how the industry currently operates.
• Linda Foster: I would circle back to my answer to the first question here. Advancements in computing, both onsite and offsite (cloud) as well as onboard capability, have really been game changers. They have unlocked some of the capabilities available to us for a long time, but we could not fully realize them due to computing limitations and/or the prohibitive cost of handling and processing the data. Computing power has also enabled ML and AI to take our data processing capability to new levels.
• Chris Trevillian: We’ve gone from the everyday surveyor processing baselines and traverse adjustments, to now processing complex reality capture data. This has pushed advancements in our industry’s software capabilities while necessitating the unlocking of computing power in GPUs and cloud computing. We are now seeing much of the manual processing being replaced by machine learning and artificial intelligence, allowing our industry experts to make use of more complex data in easier and more efficient ways.
• Lee Hellen: Advancement in software systems has become a major focus for leading technology providers. Customers want solutions, so leading technology providers focus on providing a holistic solution. Many packages are moving to cloud or web-based software as a service, where a third party will process information on your behalf, decreasing the time and cost to reduce or process the data yourself. One challenge remains around metadata or standards to which that data and results are presented: for geospatial experts, the limitations of any data processing outcome must be fully understood and interpreted.

Question 4: In what ways have market demands shifted in terms of survey instrument features and capabilities over the past decade?

• Jonathan Murphy: There has been a growing demand for ease of use, multifunctionality and interoperability. Users now expect survey instruments to be compact yet powerful, with intuitive interfaces that automatically reduce the learning curve. There’s also a growing demand for multi-sensor integration and seamless data transfer between devices and platforms. This shift reflects the industry’s need for flexible, versatile tools that can adapt to diverse project requirements while maintaining high precision and reliability.
• Linda Foster: In my experience, the market has demanded better interoperability, efficiency and, of course, accuracy, which has been realized in several ways. Some examples of this include robotic total stations, integrated surveying capability (GNSS and total station together, for instance), the addition of photogrammetric and Lidar data acquisition, rod tilt compensation, auto-levelling, and so on. The result has been smaller crew sizes, often improved productivity and, in many instances, safety advantages.
• Chris Trevillian: The market has shifted to embrace the changes in technology, mostly related to reality capture data and sensor fusion. Most customers today require the productivity gains inherent in these two technologies to counterbalance the labour-force challenges. I am seeing a general shift away from datasheet specs and a shift more towards the business-tangible elements that can be realized with new equipment procurement. Everyone’s specs are similar, but the real difference is how easily these features and capabilities are translated to overall business productivity and the quality of the end deliverable.
• Lee Hellen: Market demands are focused on saving time and reducing complexity. More compactness, greater flexibility and higher quality achieve this. Robotics has transformed the surveying profession; the days of two-man survey crews are almost gone. This has had a negative impact on field training/mentoring aspects to a degree, but has provided a positive in terms of time, flexibility and cost savings for surveying field tasks. Integration of sensors in field instruments, such as tilt meters in poles, helps solve familiar challenges with everyday surveying. But sensors still have some way to go in surveying instruments to make them even more intelligent in reducing common sources of error.

Question 5: To what extent have user-interface and software advancements improved the usability of survey instruments?

• Jonathan Murphy: Survey instruments today are more accessible to a broader range of users because of ease of use. Modern interfaces are designed with simplicity in mind, featuring touchscreens, customizable workflows and real-time feedback. These improvements have reduced the learning curve for new users and the likelihood of errors, making it easier to train new operators. Also, the new software being launched can easily integrate with various platforms, which enhances a collaborative work environment and allows teams to work more efficiently and with greater accuracy.
• Linda Foster: Interfaces across platforms seem to be standardizing more with some commonality coming from underlying operating systems. The widespread adoption of mobile devices for routine personal and business interactions also seems to have established a baseline familiarity with mobile computing, making it easier for users to adapt to whatever input device is being used to operate survey instruments. Onboard computing and built-in connectivity have also improved the usability of today’s survey instruments.
• Chris Trevillian: User interfaces have advanced a long way in the last decade – from basic form and 2D map features, to sophisticated 3D model and point cloud visualization in the field with real-time overlay on instrument imagery. This advancement has allowed our users to get closer to the designs in the field and utilize the equipment to make more informed real-time decisions. For example, it’s now possible to take survey-collected data and immediately analyse the as-built situation compared to the design without ever having to go back into the office.
• Lee Hellen: User interfaces (UIs) now cater for varying levels of expertise and applications. A decade ago, it was uncommon for a non-surveyor to use a total station or a GPS. Today, surveyors make up the minority of survey instrument users. This has led to manufacturers creating specific interfaces for those user applications. The interface is now designed specifically for a task, which makes it easier for non-experts to operate survey instruments. This will continue to evolve. Some manufacturers will focus on surveyors with full features, while others will offer lower-priced UIs that are targeted towards specific tasks.

Question 6: Which new trends and technologies do you expect to emerge in the geospatial industry in the next few years?

• Jonathan Murphy: We can expect to see further integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning and real-time analytics into geospatial workflows. Advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) will lead to more interconnected systems, enabling continuous data collection and monitoring. The push towards greater automation and the use of uncrewed/unmanned systems will also continue, with a focus on improving autonomy and data quality. Finally, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are set to play a bigger role, offering immersive ways to interact with geospatial data for planning, analysis and training.
• Linda Foster: I think we will see an acceleration of the ‘fusion’ of the technologies and capabilities that have emerged in the past decade as we move into the next. The way work gets done in the geospatial industry will continue to become more seamless, dynamic and connected, enabling professionals to better collaborate and focus on performing critical analysis and decision-making and spend less time on gathering, assembling and maintaining data currency. Machine learning and AI will also continue to play a key role in supporting these functions.
• Chris Trevillian: I see a big push from our industry to adopt more data interoperability standards. Data and information must flow easily from one system to another without loss of integrity. We must do everything we can to champion the geospatial professional as the key contributor to the integrity of any project requiring geospatial information for decision-making. As reality capture techniques are embraced by a wider range of users, the reliance on cloud-based geospatial services will grow, and so too will their capabilities, allowing industry professionals to unlock geospatial data at scale by utilizing more artificial intelligence and machine learning. These trends will revolutionize geospatial data processing and analysis, enabling automated information extraction, more accurate predictions and enhanced decision-making from this larger volume of geospatial data. AR and MR technologies are set to enhance the visualization and interaction with geospatial data, providing immersive experiences for non-technical users across a wide range of use cases, ranging from site documentation and contextualization to training, simulation and navigation.
• Lee Hellen: I expect to see a rise in Earth observation and mobile satellite communications. One barrier to globalization for geospatial technology is consistency and confidence in data communications. Many advanced countries like Australia still have technological challenges around consistent data communication in remote areas. This is also the case in most developing countries. The ability to obtain geospatial data anywhere at any time will open up many opportunities for the private and public sector to expand beyond local specialized knowledge. This could result in a space-fuelled, globally connected geospatial ecosystem, guided by more precise and frequent data outcomes, with greater connectivity and interoperability between geographic information systems.

Conclusion

Over the past decade, the geospatial industry has experienced significant transformation, fuelled by advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, uncrewed platforms and cloud computing. These technologies have revolutionized how geospatial data is captured, processed and applied across various sectors. The insights from our panel of experts underscore the critical developments that have shaped the industry, and the emerging trends that will continue to redefine its future. All of this is reflected in the incredible range of products showcased by Geo-matching.com. With the continued evolution of these innovations, users can look forward to even greater efficiencies, deeper insights and enhanced capabilities so that they can ultimately achieve the specific outcomes they need or aim for in their work.

Geo-matching, in its role as a pivotal comparison platform for mapping and survey equipment used within the geospatial sector and beyond, supports this progress by empowering professionals to make well-informed decisions. By facilitating detailed comparisons of the latest geospatial products and technologies, Geo-matching ensures that industry practitioners are equipped with the best tools to harness these advancements effectively.

About the experts

Jonathan Murphy is the CEO, president and founder of GoGeomatics Canada, a leading force in the country’s geospatial sector. In 2020, he was appointed to the ISO/TC 211 Geographic Information/Geomatics Technical Committee, playing a crucial role in shaping global geographic information standards, and in 2023 he joined the board of directors of buildingSMART Canada. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Archaeology from the University of Calgary, complemented by advanced diplomas in GIS and Applied Geomatics Research from NSCC’s Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS). Murphy’s contributions to the field have earned him the distinction of Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Linda Foster leads Esri’s global strategy for land records, cadastre, surveying and land administration, where she drives innovation in geospatial technologies. Beyond Esri, she is currently serving on the board of directors for the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Additionally, she has contributed as a mentor in the URISA mentorship network and led the statewide design of low-distortion projections, preparing for the National Geodetic Survey’s (NGS) upcoming datum updates. Foster is a registered professional land surveyor and a certified GIS professional. She holds a BSc in Geological Engineering and an MSc in GIS from Penn State University.

Chris Trevillian currently works as director of product go-to-market geospatial at Trimble. Preceding his current role, Trevillian has worked as the director of geospatial GNSS product management, helping bring the Trimble R12i GNSS receiver to market. Before joining Trimble in early 2011, he spent eight years surveying in the USA and gained project management experience spanning both the field and office. Trevillian graduated from James Madison University with a BSc in Telecommunications and a minor in Computer Science.

Lee Hellen is the CEO and founder of Kurloo Technology, an IoT positioning pioneer, based in Brisbane, Australia. He is a respected leader in the geospatial industry with 25-plus years of consulting experience. Hellen has been an active member for many years of the Geospatial Council of Australia and its predecessors: the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute and the Spatial Industries Business Association. His deep involvement in these organizations reflects Hellen’s commitment to advancing the industry, motivated by his commitment to improving work dynamics and building lasting professional connections.