Geospatial Insights with Wim van Wegen:
An Interview on Industry Trends, Updates and What´s Next
Wim van Wegen, Head of Content at GIM International
About Wim van Wegen
Wim van Wegen is the Head of Content at GIM International, where he oversees both print and online publications. He joined the geospatial industry 15 years ago, almost by chance, after studying European Studies and seeking an exciting job close to home. What started as a "lucky shot" has turned into a long-term career in a field that fascinated him even as a child, thanks to his love of maps. In his role, Wim contributes columns, feature articles, and conducts interviews with renowned experts in the geospatial industry. Today, he is a seasoned expert in the geospatial world, which he finds incredibly inspiring. INTERGEO TV met him for an interview on industry trends, updates and what´s next.
Trend #1
Democratization of Geoinformation: Spatial Data becomes Universal and Visible
Wim observes that the industry has expanded beyond its traditional focus on surveyors and technical experts, becoming more accessible and visible to a broader audience. This democratization of geoinformation means that geospatial data is now everywhere, influencing various sectors and aspects of daily life: “Geoinformation is everywhere nowadays, and it also has become very visible to everyone.”
Trend #2
Drones 2.0 in the Geospatial Industry
One of the key trends van Wegen identifies is the evolution of drones within the industry. When he first entered the field, drones were virtually nonexistent. Over the years, however, the industry has seen a surge in drone technology, with many manufacturers entering the market and companies developing their own drones. What began as a hype around drones has now matured into a diverse and sophisticated ecosystem, which van Wegen refers to as "Drones 2.0." This new phase includes a wide range of sensors and tools that have significantly enhanced the capabilities of drones in geospatial applications.
Trend #3
Miniaturization of Sensors
Another critical trend is the miniaturization of sensors, particularly LiDAR technology. These smaller, more portable sensors can now be easily mounted on drones, allowing for highly efficient and versatile drone surveys. Van Wegen notes that this development has been a game-changer for the industry, enabling more detailed and accurate data collection in a variety of settings.
Update on Artificial Intelligence: GeoAI
Talking with Wim van Wegen about the progress of AI involved in geospatial work he emphasizes the growing influence of artificial intelligence within the geospatial industry. Van Wegen notes that AI can perform tasks much faster than before, opening up opportunities that were unimaginable just a decade ago: "AI can do much more work in an incredibly short amount of time. So, imagine what new opportunities are on the horizon—things we couldn't have imagined ten or fifteen years ago will be possible now.”
Van Wegen points out that AI's true strength lies in making sense of the vast amounts of big data that the human brain alone cannot fully process. A particularly promising development in this field is "GeoAI," which combines big data with AI to tackle complex tasks: For instance, AI is being used for cadastral mapping, where it can quickly and accurately identify property boundaries using aerial and satellite images—a task that would be extremely labor-intensive without AI. Another compelling application is in environmental monitoring, such as the tree crown mapping project in Warsaw, Poland. In this project, advanced computer algorithms were utilized to successfully identify and reconstruct a diverse range of tree species from hyperspectral images. The integration of Lidar technology further expanded the scope, enabling precise measurement and visualization of crown height, as well as comprehensive biomass mapping. These examples illustrate how AI is not just changing the industry but is also improving our world by enabling projects that would otherwise be impossible.
Evolving with AI: Digital Twins and 3D-Models
Wim van Wegen notes that digital twins play an important role in the geospatial industry for almost a decade, with continuous improvements and innovations. He highlights inspiring examples from cities like Singapore and Rotterdam, where the use of digital twins is advancing rapidly, and adds that cities using or planning to implement digital twins can significantly benefit from sharing insights and experiences.
Driving progress in 3D modeling and unlocking new possibilities. He notes that the integration of artificial intelligence into digital twin technology is adding a new dimension to its development. This integration is expanding the potential and applications of digital twins in the geospatial sector, making it a dynamic area of development: “With the new 3D modeling methods, new possibilities are coming up. It's one of my favorite topics, and in our magazine, we publish quite a lot about the digital twin topic. It's becoming even more exciting, especially now that AI is also making its entrance into this part of the geospatial world.”
Current challenge: Tackling the skills shortage and attracting the next generation of geospatial professionals
Wim van Wegen highlights a pressing issue in the geospatial industry: the growing skills shortage. He emphasizes the urgent need for more graduates with the right education to meet the industry's demands: "We still need skilled people, and we need more graduates with the right education. I think that's something we as an industry need to come up with a strategy to fix - to create awareness of how cool our industry is and how it impacts everyday life."
Despite advancements in technology, skilled professionals are essential to handle and interpret geospatial data effectively. Van Wegen advocates for industry-wide efforts to raise awareness about the exciting opportunities in geospatial careers, suggesting initiatives like outreach programs in schools to inspire the next generation of geospatial professionals: "There are small companies, they go to schools once or twice a year to teach children about land surveying and geospatial technology. The kids find it very exciting. It's a great way to inspire people and to inspire the new generation of geospatial professionals. And we need them."
What´s next:
INTERGEO: Ultimate Meeting Place of the Year
“INTERGEO is the premier event for the global geospatial community”, emphasizes van Wegen and adds: “INTERGEO is more than just a trade fair; it's a dynamic hub where professionals from around the world come together to exchange ideas, forge new connections, and find inspiration.” He underlines the unique blend of formal and informal interactions that make INTERGEO special: “You get a lot of new energy and ideas by meeting people and fellow experts from all parts of the world. After three days at INTERGEO, you always travel home with a rucksack full of inspiration. That's probably the most valuable thing for me when it comes to INTERGEO.”
You want to learn more? Get your ticket now for INTERGEO 2024 in Stuttgart!