Abstract

The geospatial industry, like all other industries, is witnessing a rapidly changing market forces due to the continuous advancements in the acquisitions sensors and platform technologies. Among such advancements are Laser-based imaging sensor or Lidar, Large format digital camera, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The presentation will review current status of aerial mapping capabilities and the forthcoming capabilities. Different large format metric aerial cameras will be discussed together with samples from each of them. Latest wave of new technologies of Lidar such as Geiger mode and photon counting lidar will be discussed together with their impact on the mapping industry. The presentation will also discuss the role of the UAS in providing aerial data for the geospatial community in places and situations that is not possible with conventional aerial mapping.

© 2015 Optical Society of America