Nearmap: Transforming Location Intelligence from Imagery to Insights

In the rapidly evolving field of location intelligence, Nearmap stands out as a pioneering force, reshaping how aerial imagery is captured, processed, and delivered to its diverse clientele. At the recent 2024 Esri User Conference in San Diego, I had the opportunity to sit down with Steve Santovasi, Director of Product ; Dan Maurer, EVP of Strategy & Operations; and Scott Townsend, SVP of Global Marketing at Nearmap. Our conversation illuminated Nearmap’s innovative journey, its strategic goals, and the remarkable technological advancements they have achieved.

The Nearmap Journey

Nearmap, founded 17 years ago, has revolutionized the aerial imagery sector. From its inception, the company has focused on bridging the gap between image capture and delivery, employing proprietary camera systems to collect high-resolution imagery across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. These camera systems, now in their fourth iteration, are installed on aircraft such as the Cessna 310, Piper Navajo, and Chieftain, and are managed by a survey operations team. 

Dan Maurer explains, “We started by re-engineering the link between the capture of imagery and its delivery to customers. Our end-to-end process ensures that imagery is processed and delivered efficiently, whether through our web-based interface, MapBrowser, or via APIs.”

Initially focused on orthogonal 2D imagery, Nearmap has since expanded its offerings to include oblique 3D images and AI-driven insights, providing users with comprehensive tools to solve their specific challenges. Maurer adds, “We’ve moved from just delivering imagery to providing insights and answers, integrating this data directly into the workflows of GIS users across various industries.”

Expanding Capabilities and Humanitarian Efforts

Nearmap’s advanced imaging capabilities include near-infrared captures through their latest HyperCamera 3 systems, adding a valuable layer of data for environmental and urban analysis. “We are rolling out the HyperCamera 3, which captures four-band imagery, enhancing our ability to provide detailed and nuanced insights,” says Santovasi.

In addition to their regular data collection, Nearmap plays a crucial role in disaster response. They conduct post-disaster capture flights known as their ImpactResponse imagery, which provides critical data to aid recovery efforts for those that need it most. “Our humanitarian flights after disasters are part of our commitment to supporting communities in need,” notes Townsend.

Strategic Goals and Industry Applications

Nearmap’s strategic vision is underpinned by its recent rebranding, which emphasizes a shift from imagery to actionable insights. This rebranding aligns with their ambition to be the primary source of truth shaping our livable world. Townsend articulates, “Our goal is to provide customers, who we see as change-makers, with the insights they need to drive impactful decisions. We want to move from the ‘what’ to the ‘why’ for our customers.”

Key industry applications for Nearmap services include local government, architecture, engineering, construction, solar energy, and insurance. Their high-resolution imagery supports urban planning, infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, and more. Maurer highlights, “We support various stakeholders through the entire infrastructure lifecycle, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.”

Technological Innovations and Product Offerings

Nearmap’s relentless drive for innovation has led to the development of cutting-edge technologies and products that cater to the evolving needs of their diverse clientele. Central to their innovation strategy is the seamless integration of advanced imaging techniques, AI-driven insights, and user-friendly platforms that enhance the accessibility and usability of their data.

Nearmap Sync: Bridging Data and Workflows

One of the most significant technological advancements is Nearmap Sync, an integration strategy designed to streamline the access and use of Nearmap’s vast data library. Nearmap Sync ties their extensive repository of aerial imagery, AI data, and 3D models directly into Esri’s web map environments, specifically within the Experience Builder platform. This integration allows users to access petabytes of location insight data without the need for extensive hosting or post-processing.

“Nearmap Sync gives our customers the ability to leverage every historic date we’ve captured for all of our imagery products, AI products, and 3D products without having to download them,” says Steve Santovasi. “It’s a really incredible way for them to tie everything that Nearmap has directly inside of the Esri environment.”

AI Feature Extraction: From Imagery to Insights

AI-Powered Change Detection

A cornerstone of Nearmap’s technological innovation is their AI feature extraction capabilities. Nearmap is now releasing their sixth generation of deep learning models, which are capable of identifying and classifying up to 180 different features and attributes. These features include building footprints, roadways, vegetation types, impermeable and permeable surfaces, and more.

Scott Townsend elaborates, “We are enhancing our AI to not only identify common features but also to provide critical information for disaster response, such as detecting houses with tarps, debris, or dead trees. This capability is particularly useful for our impact response flights following disasters.”

The AI models are constantly being refined and expanded, particularly following Nearmap’s acquisition of Betterview, an InsurTech company specializing in risk scores for underwriting workflows. This acquisition has allowed Nearmap to integrate AI-driven risk scores directly into insurers’ workflows, facilitating seamless decision-making processes.

HyperCamera 3: Enhanced Imaging Capabilities

Nearmap’s proprietary HyperCamera 3 system represents a leap forward in aerial imaging technology. This advanced camera system captures four-band imagery, including near-infrared, which provides additional data layers for more comprehensive analysis. The HyperCamera 3 system not only improves the resolution and clarity of images but also enhances the ability to capture data in various environmental conditions.

“We are starting to roll out the HyperCamera 3, which adds an extra layer of detail through near-infrared capture. This allows us to provide even more precise and valuable insights to our customers,” explains Santovasi.

3D and AI-Driven Insights

AI layers: buildings & vegetation, pole detection, pavement damage, hard surfaces, pavement damage

Moving beyond traditional 2D imagery, Nearmap has developed capabilities for creating detailed 3D models and AI-driven insights. Their technology can generate city-wide or state-wide 3D meshes, providing users with comprehensive three-dimensional views of entire jurisdictions. These 3D models are invaluable for urban planning, infrastructure management, and environmental monitoring.

“We’re focused on going beyond just capturing images. By creating densified point clouds and digital surface models, we offer our customers the tools to analyze topography, differentiate between surface types, and even determine the height of objects,” says Townsend. “This is particularly beneficial for sectors like construction and urban planning, where detailed spatial information is critical.”

AI-Powered Change Detection

Nearmap’s AI-powered change detection capabilities allow users to compare multiple iterations of imagery to identify changes over time. This functionality is crucial for city planners, real estate developers, and environmental scientists who need to monitor urban development, vegetation growth, and other dynamic factors.

“By comparing different sets of building footprints, we can provide insights into which buildings have been added or removed over time. This data is incredibly valuable for building inspection, code enforcement, and property assessment,” Townsend notes. “It enables our users to make informed decisions based on the most up-to-date information.”

Simplified API and SDK Integrations

To further enhance the usability of their data, Nearmap has focused on simplifying their APIs and SDKs. These tools allow developers to integrate Nearmap data seamlessly into various platforms and applications, providing users with flexible and customizable solutions that fit their specific needs.

“The better we make our APIs and SDKs, the easier it is for our customers to consume and utilize our data in whatever platform they’re using,” says Santovasi. “This flexibility is a key part of our strategy to deliver maximum value to our clients.”

Global Reach and Future Expansion

Nearmap’s coverage includes 87% of the U.S. population, with similar extensive coverage in Australia (95%), New Zealand (95%), and Canada. While there are no immediate plans for expansion into new countries, the company remains open to future opportunities. Maurer remarks, “Our focus is on deepening our presence in our core geographies, but we are always considering where we can provide additional value.”

Through these technological innovations and product offerings, Nearmap continues to set the standard in location intelligence and aerial imagery.. Their commitment to providing high-quality, actionable insights empowers customers across various sectors to make informed decisions and drive meaningful change in their communities.

For more information on Nearmap and its offerings, visit Nearmap’s website and their recent announcement on GISCafe.

Tags: Aerial Imaging

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