What is Geospatial AI?

Posted by Eric Lawrence on 10/21/21 12:00 PM

With emerging technologies coming into the geospatial data field, artificial intelligence (AI) will play a larger role in analyzing and interpreting large sets of data for use in various applications. Geospatial data is a collection of information that has a geographical component to it relative to the Earth’s surface. Maps of roads, water bodies, and buildings are all examples of geospatial data. Fields in which these applications play a part include surveying, architecture, engineering, construction, and various others.  

Although the maps and images representing these pieces of information are often relatively simple in their understanding, the process of developing these maps and images is often very time-consuming and labor-intensive. AI is helping speed up the development needed to get these accurate maps and images by cutting down the time it takes to analyze large sets of data while also reducing the potential for human error and increasing accuracy at scale.  

 

Geospatial AI capabilities in the surveying and AEC fields 

Traditional surveying includes gathering data in the field and subsequently converting that data into a readable, 2D, or 3D map, often produced in CAD. In the construction industry, the data the survey provides is used by architects, engineers, and contractors to identify key existing information on a site such as surface grades, underground utility infrastructure locations, and relative distance of the site to existing roads or water bodies. This ground-level information is the critical basis for future planning, design, and decision-making for a project, and it often takes months to gather and analyze the information completely.

This downtime in the project timeline can be very frustrating for key decision-makers because any future planning and actions taken on a project rely on prior accurate and meaningful interpretation of the previously collected data, or new data collection altogether and any error during this process can result in other delays. For example, a slight mistake while identifying an existing sanitary sewer or storm drain location can have a domino effect, potentially leading to an entire project redesign which can cost significant amounts of money for all parties involved. 

AI has the potential to take the data gathered from surveyors in the field and quickly analyze and interpret the information, cutting weeks off the timeline to produce 2D and 3D drawings while reducing the chances of human errors impacting the final product. According to a recent report by RICS, up to 90% of core survey tasks could be affected by AI. These include repetitive, time-consuming processes that don’t require as much critical thinking. By utilizing AI-powered systems and applications to cut these processes out of a traditional workload, turnaround times for projects could be significantly reduced, saving project managers and clients on overall costs.  

Enter AirWorks

AirWorks is an industry leader in the development and implementation of geospatial AI software that autonomously converts remote sensing datasets into usable CAD drawings. The software utilizes patented algorithms to analyze and categorize points in datasets to then produce engineering plans in a matter of hours, thereby reducing manual labor days and saving on overall costs.  

In addition to these time and cost savings, AirWorks also increases accessibility to drafting solutions by being 100% web-based. Instead of having to rely on a central office location to complete projects, users can access the software at any time from any location. With the AirWorks platform, the power to produce engineering plans from aerial data is just a click away.  

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Topics: artificial intelligence, Emerging Technology, GIS

About AirWorks

AirWorks’ builds automated software for civil engineering and land surveying professionals to extract value from UAV and other aerial datasets. Through proprietary machine learning and aerial mapping technology we convert any aerial dataset into site plans in CAD fully autonomously, speeding up the current process by weeks. AirWorks’ platform is the fastest way to convert your aerial data into CAD linework and topography, access existing information in one centralized database, and download CAD drawings or GIS layers.

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