GISCafe Industry Predictions for 2025 – Leica Geosystems

By Amanda Iglesias, Software Product Manager for Mobile Mapping Systems at Leica Geosystems (part of Hexagon).

Amanda Iglesias

How are emerging surveying technologies reshaping the surveying industry in terms of the operational landscape and the role itself?

As modern surveying technologies – such as 3D laser scanners and mobile mapping – enable more efficient and precise data collection, they’re also driving fundamental changes in how surveying businesses operate and grow.

Smaller firms are growing into mid-sized companies, which are then absorbed into larger geospatial companies, creating a network of diverse departments that include surveying, environmental services, and beyond. As they expand, successful organisations are adopting digital tools and cloud platforms to connect the dots between surveying data and engineering insights. The benefits also extend beyond internal teams, with these same tools enabling seamless collaboration with external partners like architects and local authorities.

Alongside the advancement of technology, the surveying landscape itself has become increasingly competitive, with surveyors expanding their skill sets to meet evolving demands. While maintaining that core focus on traditional engineering projects like roads and railways, professionals will increasingly augment their services with cutting-edge tools that offer greater precision and expanded scope.

This kind of diversification isn’t just about staying relevant; it’s about resilience. By transferring their expertise into different industries, surveyors are opening doors to new and exciting opportunities. It’s a misconception that evolving technology eliminates fieldwork. The job, in many senses, has become more complex – as the role of the surveyor shifts towards managing data. New tools are making it easier and more engaging to interpret complex data and communicate critical insights.

In what way are mobile mapping technologies and AI reshaping geospatial data collection and processing?

The hardware is becoming smaller and lighter, with more advanced camera resolution and real-time processing capabilities. Modern mobile mapping technology has made the traditional surveying process more efficient. This greatly impacts the need for surveyors to diversify their tools so they can meet more diverse client demands.

AI is enhancing mobile mapping technologies, moving beyond traditional data collection to create adaptive mapping solutions.

One example is how AI is making point cloud classification faster and more accurate. Advanced algorithms can spot errors, identify patterns, and highlight anomalies in spatial data with impressive precision. These systems streamline data processing while keeping privacy in check using anonymisation techniques – such as blurring faces and vehicle registration plates at the point of data collection in real-time.

The emergence of 3D cadastres alongside advanced mapping technologies is transforming urban spatial understanding—what are these key developments?

Today’s built environments feature multi-level structures, from underground parking to elevated walkways. As emerging megacities become more vertical, there’s an increasing demand for 3D cadastres to more accurately represent urban spaces.

Some countries and cities – for example, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Singapore  – have begun pilot projects or partial implementations to incorporate 3D data into their cadastral systems. These countries have developed prototypes and are experimenting with how to manage complex, multi-layered urban spaces, such as buildings that extend vertically or underground spaces used for utilities or transportation.

Capturing these 3D models has become easier with a wider array of 3D technologies available – such as mobile mapping and hybrid aerial scanners. For indoor environments where extremely high accuracy is required, total stations are still unmatched in their ability to capture precise measurements.

This is just one example of the shift from 2D to 3D. Increasingly, all types of surveyors need to think beyond 2D maps and start looking at 3D objects to meet client’s demands.

In your opinion, how is the surveying profession transforming to address skills gaps and attract new talent?

Younger generations are technology-driven. Technical sophistication attracts talent because they see it as an exciting challenge. At exhibitions, everyone is drawn to the robots and cutting-edge technologies, but especially the younger people.

This means that companies with state-of-the-art technology find it easier to engage new talent. One of our customers was one of the first adopters of mobile mapping technologies in the UK. Besides the efficiency gain, they tell us how much easier it has been for them to recruit and retain talent since adopting and deploying the technology.

Where do you see the industry heading?

There’s an obvious trend towards automation and remote sensing that will continue to expand in the coming years. We’re seeing a shift from traditional surveying to remote sensing surveys using laser scanners and mobile mapping technologies that are fast in the field and can process large amounts of data.

Not long ago, we were capturing a few points using a total station. Now, we’re capturing millions of points per second. This data collection is becoming less manual, and that trend will continue as new technologies evolve.

Also, cloud computing has arrived and is here to stay. The geospatial sector needs to adopt cloud computing platforms for storage, sharing, and processing data. These platforms enable real-time analysis, global collaboration, and efficient data storage. We’re increasingly accustomed to consuming information instantly, not waiting a week for data to be ready.

About Amanda Iglesias

With close to 10 years of experience in the geospatial industry and a bachelor’s degree in Geomatic Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Amanda Iglesias serves as Hexagon’s Geosytems Product Manager Mobile Mapping Software and Team Leader within the reality capture division. She drives and develops practical, easy-to-use field and office solutions to meet the needs of an ever-expanding customer base.

Iglesias joined Leica Geosystems in 2016 as an application engineer in the GeoMax product management team, dedicated to enhancing the GNSS product portfolio and customer experience. In 2020, she transitioned to the newly formed reality capture division within the mobile mapping systems business area, successfully contributing to the Leica Pegasus TRK market launch.

Iglesias combines a solid technical background with a can-do attitude. She simplifies complex situations simple and puts herself at the forefront of exploring new ways of working. Her academic and professional expertise positions her as an effective leader in shaping the future of reality capture technology and how we map the world.

Tags: 2025 innovations, 3D scanning, geospatial technology, GIS trends, industry predictions, Leica Geosystems

Categories: Industry Predictions, Leica Geosystems

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