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What is Geospatial Technology?

A collective term for modern tools that map and analyse the earth and most things on it, geospatial technology is making huge advances. These technologies help us to understand spaces, monitor changes and patterns in landscapes, cities and even societies.
So, what is geospatial technology?

What Does Geospatial Mean?

To understand what geospatial technologies are, we must start with an understanding of the word ‘geospatial’. In simple terms, geospatial refers to location-specific data. Geospatial information relates to features on the surface of the earth and their geographic locations.

So when it comes to what geospatial means, it’s really anything relating to a location.

What is Geospatial Data?

Geospatial data is any data that has a geographic component to it. It can describe features, objects, or even events that have a specific location. Geospatial data will combine information about the location and attributes of an object. Location information can be either dynamic or static.

Such data can be collected in a variety of ways. Using remote sensing, geospatial data can be collected without close proximity to the area. For example, vast amounts of information can be gathered using unmanned aerial vehicles which makes gathering this information fast and effective.

Examples of Geospatial Data

Geospatial technologies can be used to collect data, but this information is represented in different ways depending on the technology chosen. Here are some examples of different types of geospatial data:

Point Cloud Data

Using remote sensing, laser scanners like our ZEB family collect a huge amount of tiny points within an environment. All these points together are called a point cloud. Each point has a location coordinate, and the set of points can be interpreted to create a 3D model of an area or object. Find out more in our article on point clouds

Vectors

Vectors consist of points, lines and polygons. Each point has a coordinate, and lines and polygons are formed by connecting these. These elements represent real-world features in any given environment. Each feature will have text or numerical attributes to describe them.

Satellite imagery

High-resolution satellite imagery is a type of geospatial data too. Satellites can help to view our world from a distance, showing us a much bigger picture. 

Census data

When census data is linked to a geographic area, it becomes a type of geospatial data too. For example, city planners will use population data from a Census to plan where they might build new roads, schools or hospitals.

Who uses Geospatial Data?

There are a whole host of uses for geospatial data, which means a wide range of groups, companies, and people use it. Some examples of these are:

Military

Military

Intelligence agencies

Intelligence agencies

Retail

Retail

Maritime

Maritime

Healthcare

Healthcare

Finance

Finance

Aeronautical

Aeronautical

Logistics and transportation

Logistics and transportation

This data can be used for analysis, modelling, simulation and more. Geographic information is vast and rich. It can be really powerful when used effectively.

So, What is Geospatial Technology?

Now that we’ve explained what geospatial means and geospatial data is, it’s time to consider how this translates into technology. Geospatial technology is used to collect and analyse geospatial data. It’s a collective term for the various modern tools and systems that help us to map the earth’s surface, understand societies and interpret spatial patterns.

Examples of Geospatial Technologies

The term ‘geospatial technology’ is broad and covers a whole host of different things. Here are some examples of commonly used geospatial technologies:

Remote Sensing

LiDAR (light detection and ranging) is a popular method of collecting spatial data using remote sensing. You can find out more about this type of laser scanning and how it works in our dedicated article: What is lidar?

GPS

A global positioning system (GPS) is a type of geospatial technology that most people have heard of and used. GPS data is collected by satellites and is used globally for navigation and geolocation. Global positioning systems have been fully operational since 1993. All modern smartphones contain GPS so you can see where you, or somebody else is on a map in near real time.

GIS

Geographic information systems (GIS) combine maps with a database of other descriptive information. Geographical information systems allow the management and analysis of location information. This type of spatial analysis has provided so much insight, it really has changed the way the world works. 
 
A base map can be layered with other data sources to create a powerful visualization. GIS information might include things like satellite imagery, aerial photography, point cloud or vector data. Digital software brings all this information together. 
 
As internet mapping technologies like Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth become more accessible, it’s much easier for the average person to visualize data from a geographic information system. 

Why is Geospatial Technology Important?

Geospatial technology enables the collection of geospatial information, and this data collection is extremely valuable. It’s so important because it can inform us about so many different things. From improving national security to urban planning, biodiversity conservation, providing humanitarian relief and even forest fire suppression, geospatial data science has so many applications. Take a look at our detailed blog covering why geospatial information is so important for more information. 

Where is Geospatial Analysis Used?

In short, geospatial analysis touches every aspect of our lives. It’s used by scientists, decision-makers, conservationists, governments, urban planners, businesses and healthcare professionals amongst many more. 

Geospatial information is often used for research and development. It can be used in modelling and simulations, which can inform future decisions. It gives people the ability to create a virtual world that can be tested and simulated to measure effects, so decisions can be made more safely. Geospatial analysis enriches our understanding of the world around us and has opened up so many possibilities.

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    GeoSLAM Sample Data

    View and download data in our free point cloud viewer

    Here’s some helpful tips for the best viewing experience

    • If your internet connection allows, move the Point Budget slider to the maximum amount available to view all the points in the cloud.
    • Making the point size smaller using the Point Size slider makes the data easier to view and interpret.
    • In the tools section of the viewer, you can measure the distance and angles of features within the pointcloud.
    • Using the materials section of the viewer, you can use the Select Attributes dropdown to view by intensity, elevation and RGB (if point cloud is coloured).

    Building Block

    Location: United Kingdom
    ZEB Scanner: ZEB Horizon
    Scan time:
    45 Minutes

    Would you like to see a specific dataset that’s not on this page? Contact [email protected]

    GeoSLAM Sample Data

    View and download data in our free point cloud viewer

    Here’s some helpful tips for the best viewing experience

    • If your internet connection allows, move the Point Budget slider to the maximum amount available to view all the points in the cloud.
    • Making the point size smaller using the Point Size slider makes the data easier to view and interpret.
    • In the tools section of the viewer, you can measure the distance and angles of features within the pointcloud.
    • Using the materials section of the viewer, you can use the Select Attributes dropdown to view by intensity, elevation and RGB (if point cloud is coloured).

    Richmond Tunnel

    Location: California, USA
    ZEB Scanner: ZEB Horizon
    Scan time:
    6 Minutes

    This data was captured with the ZEB Horizon mounted to a vehicle using our car mount.

    Would you like to see a specific dataset that’s not on this page? Contact [email protected]

    GeoSLAM Sample Data

    View and download data in our free point cloud viewer

    Here’s some helpful tips for the best viewing experience

    • If your internet connection allows, move the Point Budget slider to the maximum amount available to view all the points in the cloud.
    • Making the point size smaller using the Point Size slider makes the data easier to view and interpret.
    • In the tools section of the viewer, you can measure the distance and angles of features within the pointcloud.
    • Using the materials section of the viewer, you can use the Select Attributes dropdown to view by intensity, elevation and RGB (if point cloud is coloured).

    Grotte de Lombrives

    Location: Ornolac-Ussat-les-Bains, France
    ZEB Scanner: ZEB Horizon

    The scan was taken as part of Deep Time 40 project – Click here to learn more about this project

    Would you like to see a specific dataset that’s not on this page? Contact [email protected]

    GeoSLAM Sample Data

    View and download data in our free point cloud viewer

    Here’s some helpful tips for the best viewing experience

    • If your internet connection allows, move the Point Budget slider to the maximum amount available to view all the points in the cloud.
    • Making the point size smaller using the Point Size slider makes the data easier to view and interpret.
    • In the tools section of the viewer, you can measure the distance and angles of features within the pointcloud.
    • Using the materials section of the viewer, you can use the Select Attributes dropdown to view by intensity, elevation and RGB (if point cloud is coloured).

    Olympic Rings

    Location: London, United Kingdom
    ZEB Scanner: ZEB Horizon
    Scan time:
    5 Minutes

    This data was captured as part of the Big SLAM Tour of the UK, read about it here.

    Would you like to see a specific dataset that’s not on this page? Contact [email protected]

    GeoSLAM Sample Data

    View and download data in our free point cloud viewer

    Here’s some helpful tips for the best viewing experience

    • If your internet connection allows, move the Point Budget slider to the maximum amount available to view all the points in the cloud.
    • Making the point size smaller using the Point Size slider makes the data easier to view and interpret.
    • In the tools section of the viewer, you can measure the distance and angles of features within the pointcloud.
    • Using the materials section of the viewer, you can use the Select Attributes dropdown to view by intensity, elevation and RGB (if point cloud is coloured).

    Lace Market

    Location: Nottingham, UK
    ZEB Scanner: ZEB Horizon/ ZEB Discovery
    Scan time:
    15 Minutes

    Colourised data was captured using the ZEB Discovery backpack solution.

    Would you like to see a specific dataset that’s not on this page? Contact [email protected]

    Scanning a Caribbean hospital with the ZEB Horizon to create a BIM model

    Location
    Location

    Otrobanda,
    Curaçao

    Scanned
    Scanned

    St. Elisabeth
    Hospital

    Size
    Size

    22,346
    Square Meters

    Scan time
    Scan time

    20 minutes
    per scan

    Industry
    Industry

    Surveying

    Constructed in 1855, with the help of the Franciscan sisters, the St. Elisabeth hospital has played an important role in the Otrobanda City district on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, for over 160 years. The large hospital served as the main hub for medical care, and was historically used as a place of healing for other island nations nearby.

    Having been deemed no longer fit for purpose according to international standards in 2011, it was decided that a new hospital would be constructed next to St Elisabeth’s, and in 2019 the Curaçao medical center was opened to the public. St. Elisabeth hospital was closed in November 2019, after 164 years of service to the island.

    In 2021, Ellen de Brabander, from Urban Studio, was appointed by the survey bureau ‘Landmark’ with the task of scanning the hospital, in anticipation of renovation projects. Ellen chose the ZEB Horizon for the task, and later created an accurate BIM model using the point cloud data. In addition, Ellen is working on creating a virtual tour of the hospital, so it can be entered and explored from anywhere in the world.

    Due to the large complex nature of the building, with several floors and many individual rooms, the task of capturing and measuring the hospital was an enormous one, in terms of time frame. Originally Ellen was going to scan the building using a total station, however because the hospital is broken into 6 sub-buildings, an average of 3 floors per sub-building and many individual rooms per floor, the total station was quickly ruled out. Furthermore, with difficult to access areas, the bulky nature of a tripod-based system would not be ideal for capturing the hospital in its entirety, or fast enough.

    After assessing the options, the team decided the best way to capture the building would be to use a mobile 3D scanner, due to the lightweight nature, speed of capture and ease of use. Ellen chose a ZEB Horizon for the job and was able to seamlessly walk through the hospital’s complex buildings, capturing data as she moved.

    The 3D scanner of GeoSLAM was able to reduce the time of the measurement and as a result the delivery time was met. The measurement time would normally take several months, which was reduced to days

    Having decided on the ZEB Horizon, she was able to capture both the interior and exterior of St Elisabeth’s hospital in just 6 full working days, which was an extremely short amount of time compared to traditional measuring equipment. 52 scans were conducted in total, at approximately 20 minutes per scan and the area covered (including exterior and interior) was 22,346 square meters. The complex nature of some of the spaces were captured effortlessly because of the manoeuvrability and compactness of the scanner.

    The scans were processed and merged using GeoSLAM Hub before they were converted in Autodesk Recap and taken into Autodesk Revit to be modelled. The model of the hospital was sent to the client and the process from capture to model was documented in a video, which can be seen here:

    3D BIM model of Caribbean hospital

    If you’d like to learn more about how GeoSLAM solutions can help you, submit the form below.




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      GeoSLAM Sample Data

      View and download data in our free point cloud viewer

      Here’s some helpful tips for the best viewing experience

      • If your internet connection allows, move the Point Budget slider to the maximum amount available to view all the points in the cloud.
      • Making the point size smaller using the Point Size slider makes the data easier to view and interpret.
      • In the tools section of the viewer, you can measure the distance and angles of features within the pointcloud.
      • Using the materials section of the viewer, you can use the Select Attributes dropdown to view by intensity, elevation and RGB (if point cloud is coloured).

      St. Botolphs Priory

      Location: Essex, UK
      ZEB Scanner: ZEB Revo RT
      Scan time:
      20 Minutes

      This data was captured as part of GeoSLAM’s Big SLAM Tour in 2021. Click here to learn more about the scan

      Would you like to see a specific dataset that’s not on this page? Contact [email protected]

      GeoSLAM Sample Data

      View and download data in our free point cloud viewer

      Here’s some helpful tips for the best viewing experience

      • If your internet connection allows, move the Point Budget slider to the maximum amount available to view all the points in the cloud.
      • Making the point size smaller using the Point Size slider makes the data easier to view and interpret.
      • In the tools section of the viewer, you can measure the distance and angles of features within the pointcloud.
      • Using the materials section of the viewer, you can use the Select Attributes dropdown to view by intensity, elevation and RGB (if point cloud is coloured).

      Distillery

      Location: Europe
      ZEB Scanner: ZEB Revo RT
      Scan time:
      20 Minutes

      GeoSLAM’s ZEB Pano was used to capture images of the distillery.

      Would you like to see a specific dataset that’s not on this page? Contact [email protected]

      GeoSLAM Sample Data

      View and download data in our free point cloud viewer

      Here’s some helpful tips for the best viewing experience

      • If your internet connection allows, move the Point Budget slider to the maximum amount available to view all the points in the cloud.
      • Making the point size smaller using the Point Size slider makes the data easier to view and interpret.
      • In the tools section of the viewer, you can measure the distance and angles of features within the pointcloud.
      • Using the materials section of the viewer, you can use the Select Attributes dropdown to view by intensity, elevation and RGB (if point cloud is coloured).

      ArcelorMittal Orbit

      Location: London, United Kingdom
      ZEB Scanner: ZEB Horizon
      Scan time:
      5 Minutes

      This data was georeferenced with the ZEB Locate accessory and captured as part of the Big SLAM Tour of the UK, read about it here.

      Would you like to see a specific dataset that’s not on this page? Contact [email protected]