Improving Your Geospatial-Intelligence Strategy to Increase Speed and Reliability
Geospatial intelligence agencies have already been investing in digital innovations to increase their speed and reliability. Technologies such as satellite and drone imagery are enabling agencies to make critical decisions in disaster management and mitigate risk. As the geospatial analytics market is set to grow to 119.9 billion USD by 2027, now is the time to capitalise on innovative solutions and advancements.
Uncover the latest in geospatial intelligence by downloading the DGI event agenda.
Discovering Hidden Locations with Drone Technology
Drone technology applications have seen rapid advancements in recent years. Geospatial intelligence agencies can now supplement their strategy and capture previously challenging data. Whilst satellites provide top-level data sets across thousands of kilometres, drones offer an equally accurate alternative for highly localised events. With drone technology becoming more advanced and less expensive, it is increasingly being implemented into geospatial intelligence programs.
As the data that drones collect and analyse is becoming more complex and diverse, suitable software needs to be in place to provide timely and dependable insights. Cloud computing software, such as the ArcGIS Site Scan, can plan detailed flight paths and manage fleets of drones. This cloud technology is enhancing drones to complete tasks with great sophistication, all taking place on one SaaS.
The small-scale and agile nature of drone technology means that they can be sent into specific and potentially hazardous areas to collect highly localised, real-time data. Whilst drones are not alternatives to satellites, when combined, the two can optimise the accuracy and reliability of the geospatial data that is collected.
Mapping the World with AI: Digital Twin Applications
Digital twin technology is mapping recreations of real-world environments, from volcano eruptions to military operations planning. Analysing enhanced real-time geospatial intelligence data provides a better understanding of how to predict and respond to events as they unfold.
Using AI, in combination with digital twin technology, is enabling better mapping of how objects travel, interact, and change over time. This data is providing military agencies with a method to better predict the trajectories of potential missiles posing a national security threat.
The exponential increase in quantum computing data processing has far-reaching applications. From pattern matching to sampling complex data sets, quantum computers are better equipped at providing consistent solutions compared to traditional computers.
Edge computing is also providing an alternative to cloud computing by performing data analysis and deriving insights at the data source. A key benefit of edge computing is that insights can be provided quicker, by reducing processing time and possible failure points.
Combining edge computing with servers closer to satellites means processing geospatial data is becoming more streamlined and reliable. This results in time-sensitive insights being derived sooner, which aids in decision-making.
Recent developments in AI technology have increased efficiency and reliability in geospatial intelligence. For example, AI-specific GPUs (General Processing Units) are saving valuable time by increasing efficiencies in data management and analysis, thereby removing manual processes.
Over the next two to five years, geospatial intelligence agencies will be able to implement more sophisticated deep learning techniques through advancements in General Purpose GPUs (GPGPU).
Collaboration: Innovations Through Partnerships
Geospatial intelligence agencies are also collaborating with each other to improve the reliability and accuracy of their technology. The Blue Waters project takes advantage of the different strengths that the collaborators possess in geospatial intelligence. This has resulted in the most advanced non-classified geospatial system in the world. Without this multi-organisational approach, developing this system in the timeframe would have been unrealistic.
Partnerships between geospatial intelligence agencies and external organisations from foreign militaries to aid agencies, and NATO are helping to share knowledge and streamline processes. This results in developing quicker and more reliable solutions for the geospatial intelligence providers based on real-life examples.
An online platform by The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (GEOWorks) allows collaborators to develop geospatial solutions using unclassified data. Opening this US organisation's research up to other geospatial intelligence agencies promotes innovation. Similarly, the UK government’s Geospatial Commission, aims to make high-quality geospatial data accessible to more organisations, in the hope that it will encourage more sophisticated technologies.
The Future Geospatial Intelligence
It is an exciting time in the Geo-Spatial Intelligence industry, with agencies working on methods of improving the reliability and speed of the associated technologies. Providing more in-depth data which, when combined with advanced AI and ML, is enabling geospatial intelligence organisations to access greater insights to make decisions.
Collaboration, potentially understated in the past, is now vital in the geospatial intelligence sector. Partnerships between geospatial intelligence agencies are providing the platform for more sophisticated solutions to be created sooner. With data becoming increasingly shared, greater innovations are being discovered as a result of collaboration.
The work that is being put in now to innovate geospatial intelligence technology will be realised through more accurate and reliable solutions that are produced.
Want to discover the latest advancements in GEO-INT technologies? Download the DGI event agenda.