Six leaders driving the future of geospatial solutions
Unique viewpoints from eSurvey GNSS, Feima Robotics, Gexcel, Laser Tech, OXTS and RIEGL
Comparing the core toolset for geospatial professionals
Pioneering efficient and flexible laser scanning
High-precision geo-referencing in GNSS-denied environments
Director Strategy & Business Development
Durk Haarsma
Financial Director Meine van der Bijl
Technical Editor Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk
Head of Content Peter Tapken
Contributing Editor Wim van Wegen
Copy Editor Lynn Radford, Englishproof.nl
Marketing Advisors Myrthe van der Schuit, Sandro Steunebrink
Traffic Manager Linda van der Lans
Design Persmanager, The Hague
Inside the surveyor’s toolkit: Intergeo Product Guide
This Intergeo Product Guide powered by Geo-matching offers a focused overview of the essential toolset for survey and mapping professionals: GNSS receivers, total stations, terrestrial laser scanners and mobile mappers. Featuring 59 products from 36 manufacturers present on the Intergeo exhibition floor, it highlights key specifications, innovations and differences. From integrated IMUs in GNSS to automated scanning in total stations, the guide provides a clear, practical snapshot of the technologies shaping geospatial work today and tomorrow.
OXTS: high-precision georeferencing anywhere
OXTS fuses GNSS, inertial measurement and advanced MEMS technology to deliver precise georeferencing, even where GNSS signals fail. With automated tools and real-time algorithms, it saves time and accelerates decision-making. Paris Austin, head of product for new technology, explains how the new out-of-the-box solution WayFinder streamlines workflows in demanding surveying, mapping and autonomous navigation projects.
Feima Robotics: AI-powered geospatial data fusion
Feima Robotics invests millions of dollars each year in R&D to keep its solutions in step with evolving customer needs. In this interview, Overseas Sales Director Dr. Bin Li shares insights into real-time, AI-enhanced SLAM Lidar scanning and the power of aerial–ground data fusion. Feima Robotics streamlines workflows, automates data integration and boosts accuracy, giving surveyors and geomatics engineers the tools to tackle bigger challenges and make faster, smarter decisions.
Geomares P.O. Box 112, 8530 AC Lemmer, The Netherlands
The front cover of this year’s Intergeo Product Guide powered by Geomatching highlights the vast potential of reality capture – an incredibly wide range of applications. After all, there is no geospatial data without the survey instruments available on the market, and no modern land surveyor can deliver quality work without the right tools. Geo-matching.com provides the world’s most comprehensive overview of equipment, instruments and software for the geomatics profession – and most of these can also be explored on the exhibition floor at Intergeo. (Image courtesy: Geomaat)
Compare specs, understand differences
The geospatial sector has always been a very innovative one and, in my opinion, the pace of new developments and opportunities has further accelerated in recent years. AI and ML are making it much faster and easier to process data and output, while novel technologies from other industries – like Gaussian splatting – are now offering geospatial professionals advanced visualization options. The results are promising, and it’s fascinating to see first-hand at Intergeo precisely how manufacturers and system integrators are using these technologies in practice.
For this Intergeo Product Guide powered by Geo-matching, we have chosen to provide overviews of the following survey and mapping product categories: GNSS receivers, total stations, terrestrial laser scanners and mobile mappers. This is just a small selection of what is presented on Geo-matching today, of course. Likewise, at Intergeo, visitors can find lots of other technologies that can be used for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) applications, such as handheld and portable Lidar scanners. However, we’ve decided to focus on ‘pure’ surveying equipment: the ‘core toolset’ for geospatial professionals. In total, the Geo-matching website currently lists 426 GNSS receivers from 94 manufacturers, 102 total stations from 31 manufacturers, 48 terrestrial laser scanners from 24 manufacturers, and 67 mobile mappers from 18 manufacturers. This product guide features 59 of those surveying products from 36 manufacturers, who are all present on the Intergeo exhibition floor this week.
When Geo-matching was created 11 years ago, our aim was to enable survey and mapping professionals to not only gain an overview of the available products, but also to compare their specifications. This is an
important aspect of each buyer journey and is still very relevant today. Therefore, for this Intergeo Product Guide, we have also asked our premium members to share the key technical specs and features so that you can assess the major differences between their products. In GNSS receivers, for instance, there are incremental differences in form factor, integrated IMUs or laser scanners, enabling better performance and ease of use in hard-to-reach or obstructed areas. Meanwhile, in total stations, we see significant improvements in form factor, automatic scanning and distance measurement.
However, no equipment purchase should be based on comparing product specifications alone. With so many options to choose from, it is vital to understand how the various products and solutions are designed and how they align with your specific situation. To help you, six leading geospatial companies – Laser Tech, eSurvey, RIEGL, OXTS, Gexcel and Feima Robotics – share their views in this edition on what makes their products unique and how they help survey and mapping professionals to do a better job.
Needless to say, there are so many diverse needs in the geospatial sector that it’s impossible for a single manufacturer to provide a one-size-fits-all solution. With all key manufacturers present here at Intergeo this week, this is an ideal opportunity to find out which solution will work best for you. We encourage you to hit the exhibition floor and talk to as many fellow professionals as possible at Intergeo – and while you’re out and about, don’t forget to visit Geomatching.com, and our partner publication GIM International, for updates on the latest trends, developments, product innovations and user stories!
Peter Tapken head of content, Geo-matching.com
Leveraging automation to improve the efficiency and safety of geospatial field workflows
At Laser Technology, Inc (LTI), they realize that professionals’ equipment choices are often driven by profitability. That’s why the focus is on providing cost-effective tools that drastically improve field worker efficiency. Here, indispensable Laser Tech team member Steve Colburn discusses the importance of automation, partnerships and connectivity to achieve transformative advantages for surveyors and improve the bottom line of projects, no matter the terrain.
How is your company contributing to providing the right equipment for a surveyor’s and geomatics engineer’s toolkit?
We realize that profitability often drives the choices professionals make when adding equipment to their inventory. Efficiency in the workflows they use to collect data in the field is one critical area for savings. Laser Tech provides costeffective tools that will drastically improve field worker efficiency in many scenarios. Allowing the location of a feature to be captured without physically occupying it is the main benefit our products provide, boosting productivity while improving worker safety. Laser Tech products can also measure the height and width of a feature from a remote location – values that are often difficult to collect accurately without visiting the feature and making physical measurements.
Which aspect of your company’s contribution to the geospatial sector –and adjacent fields – are you most proud of?
The ability to position a feature on your map without physically occupying it with a GNSS antenna or prism pole is the aspect of our contribution to the geospatial industry that we are most proud of at Laser Tech. The combined advantage of not taking the time to occupy the point and the increased safety of keeping field workers out of dangerous areas has proven to be a gamechanger for the companies who have adopted our technology. They can be more competitive in the marketplace and experience much
and
environments.
less downtime from their workforce due to injury. We are proud to provide accurate and reliable products that solve real-world problems for our customers.
How is your company leveraging AI and automation to transform geospatial data collection and analysis?
Laser Tech is leveraging automation in both our manufacturing processes and in the geospatial data collection applications we author. Streamlining our procedures as our products take shape ensures that the best performing sensors are being used and the most cost-efficient design is implemented. In this way, our customers can rely on an accurate, cost-effective product. The key focus of the geospatial data collection applications that Laser Tech writes is to automate several common workflows. Our goal is to provide transformative improvements in efficiency to the field workforce, improving the bottom line of any project they are used on.
How are you addressing the increasing demand for real-time or near-real-time data in geospatial applications?
Besides developing several geospatial applications ourselves, we also partner with other companies who do so. In all cases, we address the
Urban mapping made simple: the TruPulse 360i delivers precise measurements
seamless integration with GNSS, even in complex
Field-tested precision: the TruPulse 200i delivers reliable measurements with ease, keeping professionals accurate, efficient and focused, no matter the terrain.
increasing demand for real-time data in two critical ways. First, we accommodate real-time positioning data from the GNSS receivers that connect to the apps, ensuring the user has accurate and timely data to view. In addition, we provide full connectivity to mobile communication networks so current data can be uploaded to the field for review, and any edits made to the data in the field can be quickly sent back to the central processing centre for assimilation and analysis.
About the author
Steve Colburn is a pioneer in product development, marketing, sales, service and support at Laser Technology, Inc (LTI). Holding a BSc in Geophysics and with over 25 years of expertise, including experience in the oil & gas industry where he mastered surveying, he brings unmatched knowledge and value to the team.
Looking ahead, which emerging technologies do you believe will change the geospatial industry most significantly?
The increasing availability of real-time geospatial data from sensors, IoT devices and 5G networks is revolutionizing various applications. For example, traffic-flow monitoring and optimizing the use of resources in precision agriculture are beneficiaries of instantaneous feedback. Providing critical disaster response by assessing damage in real time and coordinating relief efforts is another key area where meaningful improvements can be made. And we can all see that our climate is becoming more unpredictable, so there will be increased demand for real-time data from environmental monitoring sensors tracking parameters such as air quality, water levels and soil conditions.
1.Network Protocals:Ntrip Client, Ntrip Server,TCP,one key CORS,Tersus Caster Service(TCS) 2.Radio Communication Protocol: Support TRIMATLK.TRIMMARK 3, PCCEOT and so on.
RTCM, CRM, CRM+ RTCM3.X (input) NMEA (output) Raw Data in RINEX (for PPK y PPP-Static)
Firmware options for the OEM7700 include TerraStar Correction Services with RTK for centimetre-level real-time positioning. ALIGN for precise heading and relative positioning. GLIDE for decimetre-level pass-to-pass accuracy. and SPAN for continuous 3D position. velocity. and attitude.
Continuous iteration and innovation to develop innovative, customerfocused and cost-effective solutions
At eSurvey, they draw on over 20 years of experience in infrastructure construction, cadastral surveying, 3D digital China and BeiDou technology to add value by solving customer problems. Here, Max Ma explains how the company’s commitment to testing, innovation and iteration enables clients around the world to work worry-free. One example is the recent introduction of four real-time features in eSurvey’s SLAM products to make 3D surveying more accessible, reliable and efficient, while accelerating the adoption of point cloud technology in practice.
How is your company contributing to providing the right equipment for a surveyor’s and geomatics engineer’s toolkit?
Our company has over 20 years of history. Capitalizing on China’s rapid development, we have accumulated extensive product experience in areas like the construction of urban and transportation infrastructure, cadastral surveying and rural land registration, 3D digital China, and the application of BeiDou technology. Leveraging our global partner network in over 100 countries, along with overseas subsidiaries and on-site demand exchanges, we have gained deep insights into local geospatial needs around the world. Through continuous iteration and innovation, we now offer a full array of products and solutions that meet international standards and are suitable for diverse applications, including infrastructure construction, geospatial
information, agriculture and marine applications. We keep in mind application scenarios, efficiency, data results and lifecycle costeffectiveness to provide users with stable, reliable and efficient product portfolios.
Which aspect of your company’s contribution to the geospatial sector – and adjacent fields – are you most proud of?
We are most proud of our commitment to innovation and customerfocused solutions. We understand that solving customer problems creates value, so we invest significant time in testing, innovation and iteration to ensure product stability. This dedication has earned recognition in many countries, and the majority of our clients have worked with us for many years. They consistently praise our high product quality, reliability and exceptionally low repair rates, which allows them to work worry-free. Equally important is our responsive customer service. We respect our customers’ requests. We take client requests seriously, even when they relate to new environments or unexpected applications outside our existing product scope. Our teams often travel to customer sites to understand the situation, resolve issues quickly or propose new usage methods. From the customer’s perspective, we provide assurance, support and deadline guarantees.
How is your company leveraging AI and automation to transform geospatial data collection and analysis?
We have been persistently pursuing the research and development of core technologies, including algorithms, chip design, hardware innovation and software solutions. For AI and automation, we focus on applying these fundamentals to real-world geospatial challenges. For example, we integrate image recognition, combined inertial navigation, radar-visual fusion, vehicle-mounted/airborne hardware reliability and edge computing into our products, providing greater convenience for our users. A recent innovation is our compact handheld SLAM Lidar scanner, the eScan M1, which incorporates optimized edge-computing algorithms, integrating traditional point cloud and colour post-processing into the device. This allows users to view their colour point cloud immediately after scanning, allowing
them to immediately re-measure any areas where colour was missed or failed to be detected. This significantly improves the success rate of field data acquisition and boosts operational efficiency.
How are you addressing the increasing demand for real-time or near-real-time data in geospatial applications?
We recognized the need for real-time mapping early on, and have already developed new products to address it. In the past, surveying advanced from optical instruments to satellite positioning, from static solutions to RTK. Today, more and more 2D surveying and mapping is being converted to 3D, from points, lines and surfaces to point clouds. Traditional data processing has been cumbersome and error-prone, but advances in computing power and algorithms now make real-time processing possible. By continuously refining our algorithms, we’ve introduced four real-time features in our eScan series of SLAM products: Real-Time Coloured Point Cloud, Real-Time High-Density Point Cloud, Real-Time Data Validation, and Real-Time Survey-Ready Output. These breakthroughs make 3D surveying more accessible, reliable and efficient, while accelerating the adoption of point cloud technology in practical applications.
Looking ahead, which emerging technologies do you believe will change the geospatial industry most significantly?
We believe that two types of technology will drive the growth of the geospatial industry. One is real-time technology, particularly related to big data and AI. We have years of experience in geospatial technology and know-how across a wide range of use cases. We can
About the author
Max Ma is general manager at eSurvey. He graduated with an MSc in Engineering Surveying and Geodesy from the University of Nottingham, UK, in 2011. Since entering the geospatial industry, he has gained rich product management experience and has been directly engaged in multiple product portfolios, such as surveying and mapping, precision agriculture, UAV, Lidar and more.
accelerate the adoption of specialized applications by leveraging AI’s massive learning and real-time interactive capabilities. This can significantly improve the efficiency of traditional surveying and mapping, shorten project timelines for clients, and even expand the boundaries of geospatial operations, making previously impossible things possible. The other type is cross-domain fusion technology, where geospatial applications merge with new scenarios and industries. This requires a thorough awareness of user scenarios and a keen understanding of the integration of new technologies. We are committed to this endeavour, and are looking forward to exploring this path together with participants at Intergeo!
Laser scanning pioneer drives efficiency and flexibility with precision
Having been with RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems since 2005, Martin Pfennigbauer knows a lot about designing and developing Lidar instruments for surveying. Here, from his current perspective as co-CTO and chief research officer, he reflects on the company’s contribution to the surveyor’s toolkit, including in terms of AI and real-time data, and looks ahead to the future.
How is your company contributing to providing the right equipment for the surveyor’s and geomatics engineer’s toolkit?
Our aim is to respond to individual needs by developing solutions that optimally support the respective application area. The goal is to provide each customer with tools for capturing and processing 3D data in the best quality and with the highest precision. Two examples are the RIEGL VZ-600i, which meets the high-capacity requirements of surveying large construction sites, and the RIEGL VUX-120 UAV sensor with integrated RiLOC IMU/GNSS system as a user-friendly tool for efficient periodic monitoring of power lines.
We set ourselves apart through innovation and the willingness to work with our customers to solve the trickiest of tasks. And our high quality standards don’t only apply to our products; RIEGL customers also receive the best possible support from us in their day-to-day operations.
Which aspect of your company’s contribution to the geospatial sector –and adjacent fields – are you most proud of?
We are proud of our pioneering role in the field of airborne laser scanning. RIEGL systems are used for a great variety of mapping projects worldwide. Our scanners and systems are also making an impact in increasingly important fields like avalanche and landslide protection, CO2 mapping and flood prevention.
What makes us particularly proud is our extremely broad product portfolio: static and
Mobile laser scanning enables the capture of urban areas at an exceptional level of detail with automated, AI-based classification, and offers the possibility to exclude distracting data.
kinematic, terrestrial and airborne, industrial and bathymetric laser scanning. This allows us to support customers with solid knowledge, especially when it comes to the necessity of combining data from differently executed scanning missions, e.g. terrestrial and UAVbased, or static and kinematic. Today, with the increasing demands of digitalization, service providers must fully exploit all the available sources.
How is your company leveraging AI and automation to transform geospatial data collection and analysis?
Deterministic algorithms are still the preferred development approach in applications that focus on predictability of system states. However, AI enables the realization of features that have not been possible in the past. One well-known AI application is the fully automated anonymization of licence plates and faces.
The latest advancement in RIEGL processing software offers AIbased point cloud classification. The point clouds are automatically segmented into classes such as pavements, vegetation, houses, road signs, pedestrians, parked cars, moving cars and so on. This considerably improves usability and performance by facilitating easy extraction of relevant features of interest, and also by eliminating distractions – such as road traffic and pedestrians – from the point cloud.
How are you addressing the increasing demand for real-time or near-real-time data in geospatial applications?
A key milestone in reducing processing times was the shift of fullwaveform analysis from post-processing into the laser scanner itself. This is also known as online waveform processing, which is the
basis of highly accurate and attribute-rich measurements.
Our focus on modular software architectures also enables real-time georeferencing. Its applicability, however, depends on the specific use case, as the resulting accuracy primarily relies on the quality of the real-time trajectory. Ideal applications include airborne corridor mapping of power lines, or rapid assessment after natural disasters such as storms, floods or landslides.
Real-time processing is not limited to kinematic laser scanning. In terrestrial laser scanning, we offer automatic registration,
About the author
Martin Pfennigbauer holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Vienna University of Technology, Austria. He has been with RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems since 2005, involved in designing and developing Lidar instruments for surveying applications. Presently, he assumes the position of co-CTO and chief research officer.
which enables individual scan positions to be registered onboard and ‘on the fly’. This results in a consistent point cloud created during the measurement process itself, significantly reducing processing time.
Looking ahead, which emerging technologies do you believe will change the geospatial industry most significantly?
A key development for laser scanning systems is the tighter integration of different sensors and data sources in navigation processing and georeferencing. This enhances the accuracy and reliability of the acquired geospatial data, i.e. point clouds,
by compensating for individual sensor limitations through synergistic data fusion.
Specifically, the tight coupling of inertial sensors and laser scanning implemented in the RIEGL RiLOC systems and processing workflows utilizes the high precision of RIEGL’s laser scanners in order to compensate for navigation sensor errors such as inertial sensor drift. Together with advances in size and performance of the underlying sensor technology (laser scanning, inertial navigation and satellite navigation), this improves the precision of mapping products and allows for more efficient and flexible data acquisition.
The segmented point cloud data allows each single tree to be displayed.
Mobile Mappers
Positioning
GNSS receiver: Brand and model Septentrio Mosaïc X5 Septentrio AsteRx-m3 Pro+
Making high-precision, real-time georeferencing accessible to all, wherever they are
OXTS combines integrated GNSS data and inertial measurement information with advanced MEMS technology to make accurate georeferencing of survey data accessible to all, even when no GNSS is available. Additionally, its automated tools and real-time algorithms save valuable time and enable quicker decision-making. Here, Paris Austin, head of product for new technology, explains how the company’s newest out-of-the-box product, WayFinder, supports critical applications and streamlines workflows in challenging surveying, mapping and autonomous navigation environments.
How is your company contributing to providing the right equipment for a surveyor’s and geomatics engineer’s toolkit?
OXTS supports surveyors and geomatics engineers by delivering reliable position, orientation and navigation data, even in GNSS-denied environments. Like any inertial measurement system (INS) manufacturer, we integrate GNSS data with inertial measurement information to deliver accurate position data. Unlike other manufacturers, we have increased the accuracy of our micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to a level comparable with far more expensive and bulky fibre-optic gyroscope (FOG) INS devices, making accurate georeferencing of survey data accessible to all. We offer a range of compact, robust and fieldready devices, as well as board set models designed for systems integrators. Our hardware is supported by advanced software, offering capabilities including boresight calibration, post-processing and point cloud georeferencing, to maximize data quality and reduce errors. Our
newest product, WayFinder, offers real-time position data even in environments with no GNSS at all, with seamless transitions in and out of GNSS cover.
Which aspect of your company’s contribution to the geospatial sector – and adjacent fields – are you most proud of?
I think it’s the progress we’ve made enabling GNSS-denied positioning. GNSS-denied localization is hugely important for surveying and autonomous navigation, but still a challenge for many engineers – as is the transition between open sky and GNSS-denied positioning. WayFinder augments our INS data with data from integrated sensors such as Lidar and cameras. It leverages the strengths of each sensor to compensate for limitations of others and create a truly robust localization product. In open-sky environments, WayFinder uses GNSS to work out its position. But when GNSS is unavailable, it switches seamlessly to localizing using its integrated Lidar sensor. Crucially, WayFinder works out of the box. You don’t have to build a real-time sensor fusion engine from scratch. It enables industries to navigate reliably in challenging environments, supporting critical applications in surveying, mapping and autonomy, while minimizing engineering complexity.
How is your company leveraging AI and automation to transform geospatial data collection and analysis?
We essentially leverage automation to make geospatial data collection faster, smarter and more reliable. Automated calibration of sensors and automated post-processing tools reduce the need for manual
intervention, saving surveyors and engineers valuable time in the field. Algorithms delivered in real time also detect and correct anomalies in data, ensuring consistently high-quality output that subsequently enables centimetre-level navigation, which is ideal for the rising tide of autonomous vehicles. This streamlines workflows from data capture through to analysis, enabling quicker decision-making and more accurate mapping outputs. In doing this, we’re transforming traditional geospatial practices into efficient, technology-driven processes that meet the growing demand for precise, scalable and resilient data solutions.
About the author
Paris Austin is a seasoned product leader with a passion for pioneering innovative technologies that drive business transformation. As head of product – new technology at OXTS, he leads cross-functional teams in exploring emerging technology trends, identifying opportunities for innovation, and delivering products that meet evolving customer needs. His strategic insight has earned him a reputation as a thought leader in the positioning technology industry.
wherever they are. As for handling the rise in demand, I’m proud that we make centimetrelevel precision available, in real time, at a far
I expect some may use it to improve data accuracy, although the effectiveness of that will need close scrutiny. Beyond that, we’re
Streamlining the transition from reality to digital with versatile, accurate and workflow-ready solutions
With its range of powerful tools to enhance 3D reality capture and data management, Gexcel makes an important contribution to the surveyor’s and geomatics engineer’s toolkit. Here, Giorgia Rossi discusses how the company is embedding AI into its solutions to progressively reduce the manual workload for surveyors and engineers, while delivering faster and more reliable results. She also talks about real-time and in-motion 3D mapping, and the rise of digital twins.
How is your company contributing to providing the right equipment for a surveyor’s and geomatics engineer’s toolkit?
Gexcel provides surveyors and geomatics engineers with powerful tools to enhance 3D reality capture and data management. Our RECONSTRUCTOR software seamlessly integrates data from multiple 3D laser scanners into a single project, processes point clouds, generates meshes and enables straightforward online sharing through leading 3D platforms. On the hardware side, Gexcel’s HERON SLAM systems set the benchmark in reality capture, while our 3DSMS and OPMMS solutions ensure real-time intelligent monitoring of quarry fronts and precise stockpile measurement in warehouses. Together, these technologies deliver versatile, accurate and workflow-ready solutions that streamline the transition from reality to digital.
Which aspect of your company’s contribution to the geospatial sector –and adjacent fields – are you most proud of?
We take pride in consistently delivering highly innovative solutions that represent the state of the art in the reality capture field. RECONSTRUCTOR sets the benchmark in 3D point cloud processing, while the HERON system – enhanced with the MG1 high-resolution camera – enables advanced SLAM-based surveys and digital twin creation,
powered by our patented SLAM algorithm. A recent milestone was the survey of the Doge’s Palace in Venice, where 101 trajectories covering 17km of paths were managed within a single project: an unprecedented achievement. Our clients recognize us as the ideal partner to overcome their most demanding challenges.
How is your company leveraging AI and automation to transform geospatial data collection and analysis?
On the AI side, we have already begun exploring and testing integrations to enhance the interpretation and optimization of geospatial data. In parallel, we are actively developing automation to simplify and accelerate workflows – by automating data optimization in OPMMS, or streamlining point cloud processing in HERON, for example. Our goal is to progressively reduce the manual workload for surveyors and engineers, while delivering faster and more reliable results. For us, AI and automation are not abstract concepts, but concrete directions already embedded in our solutions.
How are you addressing the increasing demand for real-time or near-real-time data in geospatial applications?
We have been addressing the demand for real-time data from the
A single, monumental project at Doge’s Palace in Venice: 101 trajectories and 17km of full-colour SLAM 3D mapping with HERON.
very beginning. Gexcel was the first to provide a real-time view during scanning with HERON, giving professionals immediate feedback on what they’re capturing rather than having to wait hours to see results. Building on that, we developed a real-time change detection tool, which allows surveyors to spot deviations and updates directly on site. This means our users don’t just collect data faster, they also make better decisions immediately, saving both time and costs.
About the author
Giorgia Rossi has been working at Gexcel as manager of worldwide sales since 2008, developing and strengthening the client and reseller network while gaining extensive experience in international markets. Her role also entails meeting people, attending conferences, organizing sales/technical training and interacting with professionals.
Looking ahead, which emerging technologies do you believe will change the geospatial industry most significantly?
We see three main forces reshaping the geospatial industry. First, the integration of AI will radically speed up data interpretation, from automatic feature extraction to predictive analysis. Second, the growth of real-time and in-motion 3D mapping will make it possible to capture and use spatial data immediately, even in complex environments. And third, the rise of digital twins – connected, navigable and shareable –will transform how industries manage assets, monitor changes and make decisions. At Gexcel, we’re committed to leading in these areas by making our solutions increasingly adaptive, automated and ready for integration with the wider digital ecosystem.
The HERON 3D mapping system, now empowered by GNSS integration.
Terrestrial Laser Scanners
Laser Ranger
Scanning Characteristics
Software Functionality
Peripherals
Geospatial
Positioning
Teledyne
Zoller + Fröhlich
GreenValley International
TLS-M3 CR-P1
Z+F IMAGER 5024-series
LiPod P1
Empowering professionals with AI-enhanced SLAM Lidar scanning and aerial-ground data fusion
Feima Robotics annually invests millions of dollars into R&D to ensure its solutions remain aligned with the latest customer needs. Here, Overseas Sales Director Dr. Bin Li provides insights into real-time AI-enhanced SLAM Lidar scanning and aerial-ground data fusion. By creating seamless workflows, automating fusion and enhancing accuracy, Feima Robotics is empowering surveyors and geomatics engineers to undertake more ambitious projects and make faster, more informed decisions.
How is your company contributing to providing the right equipment for a surveyor’s and geomatics engineer’s toolkit?
Feima Robotics equips surveyors and geomatics engineers with innovative, efficient and accurate tools that bridge cutting-edge technology and field practicality. In the past ten years, Feima Robotics has continuously invested approximately US$8-9 million every year into R&D to develop world-leading technology and the right equipment in line with customers’ needs. Around 200 of our 500 employees are in the R&D team, which supports our leading role in the geospatial industry. Our handheld SLAM Lidar scanning systems and drone systems deliver high-precision data capture for complex environments, significantly reducing field time. We provide complete, integrated solutions – from hardware to
processing software – ensuring seamless workflows from field to final deliverable. By making advanced technology like real-time mapping and 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) more accessible and user-friendly, we empower professionals at all levels to undertake more ambitious projects with greater efficiency and precision.
Which aspect of your company’s contribution to the geospatial sector – and adjacent fields – are you most proud of?
We are most proud of our innovation and leadership in highprecision reality capture and our proprietary software algorithms. Especially, as a game changer, Feima Robotics has developed and released four generations of SLAM Lidar scanners: SLAM100, SLAM2000, SLAM200 and SLAM200E. These make dynamic scanning significantly more affordable, enhancing the working efficiency and expanding various applications. While many suppliers focus solely on hardware, our integrated approach –seamlessly fusing advanced Lidar data with intelligent processing – ensures that surveyors and engineers receive not just raw data, but immediately usable, accurate 3D models. Our algorithms power real-time mapping, robust performance in challenging environments featuring glass or metallic surfaces, and efficient data processing, turning complex scans into actionable insights faster. This synergy between cutting-edge hardware and sophisticated software is what truly sets us apart and drives the geospatial industry forward.
How is your company leveraging AI and automation to transform geospatial data collection and analysis?
At Feima Robotics, we integrate AI and automation to revolutionize geospatial workflows. Our systems use real-time AI-enhanced SLAM for precise data capture even in challenging GPS-denied environments. Automation accelerates processing, enabling rapid point cloud classification, feature extraction and detailed 3D modelling with minimal manual input. This seamless pipeline delivers accurate, actionable insights faster, allowing professionals to focus on analysis and decision-making. We’re proud to make advanced geospatial technology more efficient and accessible for all.
How are you addressing the increasing demand for real-time or near-real-time data in geospatial applications?
We address the demand for real-time geospatial data primarily through our advanced SLAM scanners, which integrate real-time data capture, processing and visualization into a single streamlined workflow. By leveraging on-device AI and optimized sensor fusion, our scanners generate accurate 3D point clouds and models instantaneously – even in dynamic or GPS-denied environments like indoor spaces and tunnels. This eliminates traditional delays between data collection and analysis, empowering professionals such as surveyors, engineers and emergency responders to make critical decisions on-site without relying on post-processing.
Looking ahead, which emerging technologies do you believe will change the geospatial industry most significantly?
AI-driven automation and aerial-ground data fusion are set to redefine the geospatial industry. Feima Robotics is at the forefront
About the author
Dr. Bin Li is overseas sales director at Feima Robotics, responsible for leading global market expansion. With a PhD in Geospatial Studies from Peking University and extensive experience at multinational firms including NTT DATA, Leica Geosystems and Trimble, he specializes in Lidar, remote sensing and drone applications.
of this shift with our proprietary aerial-ground integrated fusion algorithm, which intelligently merges data from airborne drones and handheld SLAM scanners. This technology seamlessly combines 3D point clouds, imagery and 3DGS data into a unified, high-resolution model, eliminating traditional gaps between aerial and ground perspectives. The result is richer contextual insights, accelerated processing and comprehensive digital twins for applications in urban planning, infrastructure inspection and environmental monitoring. By automating fusion and enhancing accuracy, we empower professionals to make faster, more informed decisions with a holistic view of complex environments.
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AI assistant for all surveying and geospatial questions
What factors matter most when choosing a handheld 3D scanner ?
How do I set up an accurate survey in a GNSS-denied environment ?
Which sensor-drone combination is the best fit for coastal mapping ?
