Geospatial data is information that describes objects, events or other features that have a physical position on or near the earth's surface.

Geospatial data typically combines location information and attribute information with temporal information.

In the short term, the location provided may be static, for example the location of a piece of equipment, an earthquake event, children living in poverty and dynamic location such as a moving vehicle or pedestrian, the spread of an infectious disease.

 What is Geospatial Technology?

Geographic information is collected, analysed, and stored using geospatial technologies. It uses software to map geographic locations while analyzing the impact of human activity.

The Geographic Information System (GIS) combines maps and datasets concerning environmental occurrences and socioeconomic trends using digital software. To properly examine complex data, GIS builds layered maps.

Because each data point is linked to a specific location on Earth, layering is feasible.

 Some of the most common geospatial technologies include the following:

 a. Remote Sensing

Space or airborne camera and sensor platforms provide imagery and data at great detail. Images that can zoom into less than one meter are available on some commercial satellites.

b. Geographic Information System (GIS)

Offers software that can map a specific geographic location anywhere on Earth and analyze geospatial data. GIS geospatial can also detect patterns in the data.

c. Global Positioning System (GPS)

Provides coordinate locations for military and civilian use through a network of U.S. Department of Defense satellites. A European version is called Galileo.

d. Internet Mapping Technologies

Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth are examples of geospatial software and geospatial mapping tools that makes it easier for people to view and share geospatial data.

History of Geospatial

The debut of Google Maps in 2005 was one of the most significant events in geospatial history. It made mapping technology accessible to the general public. However, the seeds of what we now know as geospatial technology were planted in 1832.

During a cholera outbreak in Paris that year, French geographer Charles Picquet drew one of the first heat maps to illustrate where illness was most prevalent. When cholera invaded London in 1854, physician John Snow followed in the footsteps of his Parisian counterpart.

He employed spatial analysis of the data to show the link between contaminated water sources and cholera, in addition to creating a map depicting the location of cholera deaths.

Roger Tomlinson, who pioneered the notion of a Geographic Information System (GIS) in the 1960s, elevated classical cartography to a new level.

For the first time, photographs of the Earth's surface and human activities were delivered by satellites focused on national security, science, and commercial operations, offering up more methods to visualise data.

A geographic information system (GIS) combines a base map with data acquisition, modification, and management. A GIS map can hold an infinite amount of information. Users can utilise this geospatial data to not only view and analyse data, but also to better understand trends, correlations, and patterns.

GIS was enhanced further until 2005, when Google Maps released a user-friendly version for the general public. Geospatial technology has progressed from a desktop to a cloud-based solution since then. Geospatial databases used to be proprietary, but open source software has altered that, allowing more people to access this type of data.

Future of Geospatial Technology

a. Geospatial AI

Places a geographic component on machine learning. App users can provide real-time information about traffic or other conditions in their surroundings. Myriads of contributors improve the accuracy of geospatial data, allowing for better predictions when managing things like traffic flow.

b. Autonomous Vehicles

The eye of an autonomous vehicle is LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which is a sensing method that uses pulsed laser light to measure variable distances. Geospatial technology make LiDAR possible and mapping companies will take it to the next level to make autonomous driving safer and more accessible.

c. Mapping as a Service

Not every map found online is high-resolution. But geospatial mapping technology can make on-demand maps of any location desired. The maps can be created based on customer needs and used for any number of industries, including construction. Geospatial imagery and the Mapping as a Service market could reach $8 billion by 2025.

d. Drones

Drones used for aerial mapping will become more common. Combined with GIS and high precision sensors, the drone-capture images can fly over acres of land to gather data to influence everything from farming to urban planning.