By Keven Gambold , Co-founder and CEO, Unmanned Experts 

Keven Gambold

Let me start with a reality that impacts us far more than it should: 2024 is an Election Year. In the current hyperpolarization of U.S. politics, this mere fact should weigh significantly in any U.S. forecasts for the coming 12 months, and not positively so, I am afraid. With that said, here is an attempt to at least find the cloud linings, be they silver or not:

The small UAS market has been buoyed by Federal-level efforts to rebuild the Military-Industrial manufacturing base, with exciting programs such as the DoD’s Replicator and DARPA’s REMA. Although details are sparse to date, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some contracts awarded by the end of the year, and a significant capability available in 2025. However, if only the Prime’s win, and these go the ‘exclusive’ (read ‘rare and expensive’) route of the Blue UAS program, then how useful this might be is up for debate. The rapid growth of ‘last-mile’ delivery live operations, such as Wing and Drone-Up, is extremely inspiring, however, a lack of any true ‘Part 108-type’ BVLOS rule is a major sticking point for uptake and scaling for these services.
(more…)

By Mark Zeman, Marketing Manager,  Surdex Corporation

Mark Zeman

Surdex has seen a moderate yet notable shift in market demand that indicates a trend in future buying of geospatial products. It is clear that the overall drive for efficiency in data collection and processing is driving more refined products.

• Growth in Elevation-Derived Hydrography (EDH). Fueled by the USGS 3D National Hydrography Program (3DHP), EDH has seen a significant increase in volume as part of the USGS Geospatial Products and Services Contracts (GPSC4). The implementation of 3DHP marks the start of a new era of water data – the first systematic remapping of the nation’s hydrography.  We anticipate significant demand and growth in production through 2024 and beyond.
• Increase in image resolution. The history of aerial photography has been one of progressive demand for increased resolution. Over the past decade, the base product, in general, has been 12” GSD for rural areas and 6” GSD for urban areas, and 3” GSD was generally only considered for small important areas of interest such as airports. As competition has driven the industry to develop increasingly more cost-efficient acquisition processes, Surdex has seen a gradual yet progressive interest, a shift from 12” to 6” GSD for more rural areas and from 6” to 3” GSD for urban areas, particularly in larger cities. We envision this trend will continue and become the new standard.

(more…)

By John L. Kelley, President and Co-founder, GeoSapient, Inc.

John L. Kelley

Top GeoSapient, Inc. 2024 Predictions for GISCafé

GeoSapient looks beyond the growing space- and aerial-borne assets into the deeper aspects of geocomputing data, workflows, and use cases.

Theme: Responsible GHG Emissions for GIS

1. The New National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Strategy Provides Unique Opportunities for Satellite Remote Sensing Systems

Before COP28, the administration announced a new GHG emissions strategy this past November.

The strategy commits the US to ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets as part of the Nation’s agenda to tackle the climate crisis. Enhancing GHG measurement and monitoring capabilities is foundational to achieving these ambitious goals. Doing so will improve the Nation’s ability to track progress toward GHG emissions targets and assess the effectiveness of climate policies and actions. Numerous GHG measurement, monitoring, and data capabilities exist but are spread across various federal and non-federal entities. The Nation can enhance the coordination and integration of these capabilities, make more efficient use of resources, and leverage recent scientific and technological advances to provide more comprehensive, granular, and timely data to support climate action.
(more…)

By  Jeffrey Martin, CEO, Mosaic

Jeffrey Martin

Throughout 2023, we have had the opportunity to speak with our (prospective) customers, partners, and even competitors, and it has given us highly valuable insights into what the industry needs and where trends are going. Looking at the industry as a whole, we predict a surge in the demand for clearer, more detailed imagery. This demand drives the development of innovative tools that enable efficient mapping in various environments, from bustling city streets to remote landscapes. The integration of diverse technologies, especially artificial intelligence, is expected to streamline the mapping process significantly. AI’s ability to swiftly process vast amounts of data is not just a boon for efficiency but also enhances the accuracy and usability of the mapping outputs.

Mobile scanning technologies are emerging as key players, particularly in urban settings where traditional mapping approaches struggle. These technologies are becoming more agile and cost-effective, allowing for rapid data collection that is both accurate and scalable. This evolution is crucial for sectors such as Digital Twinning, Smart Cities, and AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction), where up-to-date and detailed environmental data are invaluable.

Furthermore, the industry is moving towards more user-friendly platforms, enabling a broader range of applications and users to engage with mobile mapping technologies. From entertainment industries like TV/film production and video games to more technical fields such as surveying, BIM, and infrastructure inspection, the accessibility of high-quality mapping data is transforming workflows and creative processes.

(more…)

By Lisa Stannis, Director of Customer Development at Sharper Shape

Lisa Stannis

2024 and beyond

How accelerating trends in transmission and distribution (T&D) make the case for digital adoption

T&D utilities face a simple proposition: do more, with less, in a harsher operating environment.

Utilities sit at the heart of the decarbonization agenda. They are required to facilitate greater integration of distributed resources, new generation types, and greater electrification in transport, heating, and industrial processes. They must do all this while managing end-of-life infrastructure in a financial climate of tight margins, and an operating environment containing more hazards, threats, and risks than ever before.

(more…)

By  Chris Andrews, COO, Rendered.ai

Chris Andrews

Looking ahead at the 2023 geospatial industry

The past few years moved us into a new phase of society in which change is the only constant. Geopolitical friction, accelerating climate change, population explosion, and pandemic have had severe impacts on people and planet including displacing the highest number of persons since World War II, straining supply lines for critical food and medical goods, and risking future calamity by putting resources and ecosystems at risk.

Geospatial technology and data cannot cure the issues that confront us, but they are critical tools in knowing, deciding, and communicating our status and pathways toward a more sustainable society.

The major trends that are going to shape GIS and geospatial technology in the marketplace in 2023 and beyond sum up as driven by the increasing importance that we establish digital twins of the built and natural environment around us as tools for monitoring the world and making decisions about commerce, governance, and general social welfare. The data, sensors, and analytics that will be used to create these digital twins will not only be used to train people, but also to train the machines that will increasingly provide first line response to change in the world around us.

(more…)

BY John L. Kelley, President and Co-founder, GeoSapient, Inc.

John L. Kelley

GeoSapient looks beyond the growing space- and aerial-borne assets into the deeper aspects of geocomputing data, workflows, and use cases.

Theme: Hungry for Data

1. SmallSat Proliferation

SmallSats are proving to be a cornerstone of the Space Industry. Their low production costs and versatility enable more and more companies and groups to enter and exploit the potential offered by satellites. What are SmallSats? The size and cost of spacecraft vary depending on the application; some you can hold in your hand, while others, like Hubble, are as big as a school bus. Small spacecraft (SmallSats) focus on spacecraft with a mass of less than 180 kilograms and about the size of a large kitchen fridge. Even with small spacecraft, various sizes and masses can be differentiated. CubeSats are a class of nanosatellites (1-10 kilograms) that use a standard size and form factor. The standard CubeSat size uses a “one unit” or “1U” measuring 10x10x10 cms and is extendable to larger sizes; 1.5, 2, 3, 6, and even 12U.

(more…)

By Lisa McCune-Noll, Senior Quality Analyst & Cartographer at – RoadBotics Michelin

Lisa McCune-Noll

RoadBotics by Michelin

When I made my 2022 GIS Industry predictions last year, I had no way to predict what was actually to come for RoadBotics ourselves – we were acquired by Michelin! After a simply amazing acquisition period, we, RoadBotics by Michelin, are hitting the ground running! And looking down the road, I can see these predictions in the future of GIS and geospatial technologies in 2023.

Our Roadway and AgileMapper platforms transforms ground level imagery, spatial data, and your visual infrastructure into meaningful, interactive maps utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). AgileMapper lets you create and store your own new data as well as migrate existing legacy data.

In the post-Covid environment, geospatial technologies enables adapting to new situations and creating new opportunities at digital speed.

(more…)

By Lowell Ballard, Director of Geospatial Solutions, Timmons Group

Lowell Ballard

Each year, geospatial technology’s impact on the structure of our world continues to grow, and 2023 will be no different. We’ll continue to see location information as a critical and integral aspect of our lives.

Geospatial technology is the root of data interactions, and once GIS data is harnessed, its integration becomes key in our ever-evolving society. From natural resources and application development to asset management and transportation services, Timmons Group works across many lines of business to capture, visualize, and integrate data in unique and compelling ways. Some of the key needs for data integration that are emerging in the industry include:

The fusion of demographics, spatial data, and policy — New funding and legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), have provided great opportunities for the geospatial technology industry to flourish. Many parts of this law are heavily reliant on ensuring equitable delivery of services to underserved communities throughout the country, allowing for robust and dedicated focus on infrastructure needs surrounding wildfire, updating lead and copper water pipes, and broadband connectivity.

(more…)

By Brant Scheidecker, GIS Consultant at Cartegraph, an OpenGov company

At Cartegraph (now an OpenGov company), we see several existing trends accelerating in GIS and government technology with the emergence of one new trend that will drive significant investment in 2023 and beyond. In our conversations with our 1600+ customers across OpenGov suites and with the GIS experts we serve, we consistently hear the following:

(more…)