Did you know maps could do this? How mobile mapping impacts your life

The average person interacts with maps such as Google Maps (including Google Street View), or similar platforms, which provide driving directions and 360º imagery of points of interest (POI). This is primarily used for planning leisure activities, getting to a place of business, or the best route for avoiding daily traffic.

The most advanced and common way to capture such street view data is with mobile mapping systems. Yet, street view imagery, maps, and geospatial data at large are critical across a wide berth of organisations, with far-reaching results that touch more parts of our lives than we could possibly understand.

The hidden uses & Power of street view mobile mapping

“Mobile mapping” refers to the process of using mobile devices or vehicles equipped with advanced sensors and technology to capture geospatial data of the surrounding environment while in motion. These systems typically include:

• GPS receivers
• LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanners
• (360º) Cameras
• Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs)

As the vehicle moves, these sensors collect data to create detailed and accurate 3D maps, which can include information about roads, buildings, vegetation, and other features.

Mobile mapping has numerous applications, including navigation and routing, urban planning, infrastructure maintenance, and disaster response. It can also be used for asset management, surveying, and creating immersive experiences in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Mobile mapping technology has advanced significantly in recent years, making it a valuable tool for industries ranging from transportation and construction to archaeology and environmental monitoring.

Towns and cities looking to expand cannot plan for new utility infrastructure without knowing what they have now. Engineering firms need to return the roads to the same state that they were in before the start of massive projects which entail ripping up pavement, sidewalks, and Right-of-Way.

Governmental agencies (tax authority and appraiser's office) and private companies (insurance and real estate firms) need to know how individual properties change over time in order to maintain accurate valuations. Such valuations enable proper taxation and insurance coverage to keep municipalities funded and to keep citizens protected.

Let’s dive in a bit deeper.

Mapping data isn’t all about private profits! How it brings relief

While many surveying and mapping companies are for-profit companies, there are many that provide vital services in emergency situations, including post-disaster data capture. Real-time street view collected in the aftermath of a large storm or other natural disaster can provide emergency response teams with the on-the-ground data they need to react appropriately. This can mean knowing where to send debris removal trucks to communities who are blocked off or provide food and water to those who might not have access to such necessities. Being able to collect, process and visualise the data quickly is of the utmost importance: How this can be done? Find more information here.