Written by Taylor Welsh
Before delving into the future of geospatial technology, we should first define it and gain an understanding of why it is so important.
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, geospatial technology is defined as, "a term used to describe the range of modern tools contributing to the geographic mapping and analysis of the Earth and human societies." What began with maps and cartography has evolved into advanced technology that allows satellites to use digital software to take pictures of the earth and combine this imagery with other data, such as socioeconomic and environmental factors that when combined tell the story of a specific area, country, or the planet.
We often interact with geospatial technology in some form or another every day, whether it’s using GPS to find our destination, tracking a package through UPS, or checking in to a location on social media. Geospatial technology is already used in lots of businesses and industries, including urban and environmental planning, security and intelligence, risk assessment, utility administration, and logistics industries.