Geospatial Innovation — which consists of exploiting and analysing imagery and other geospatial data, typically captured by satellites — may have its roots in military and defence initiatives, but its use has broadened greatly in recent years as Earth Observation capabilities have expanded.
It is now seemingly everywhere, including in telecommunications, transportation, agriculture, public health and safety, where it can be used to improve the quality of everyday life in addition to spurring economic growth. These are the kinds of initiatives the Satellite Applications Catapult is focusing on.
“The Satellite Applications Catapult is in a unique position at the intersection of business, government and academia to help to ensure that UK businesses can maximise the benefits that geospatial technologies can offer,” writes Peter Beaumont, the Catapult’s Director of Geospatial Intelligence.
The Geospatial Innovation in 2020 report, brought to you by the Satellite Applications Catapult and Springwise, provides a comprehensive overview of geospatial technology — how it’s used, important challenges and opportunities, and the innovations driving key trends.
The Satellite Applications Catapult is one of a network of UK technology and innovation companies which aim to drive economic growth through the commercialisation of research. Its aim is to support UK industry by accelerating the growth of satellite applications and to contribute to capturing a 10 per cent share of the global space market predicted by 2030.
It is achieving this by exploiting the innovation potential in the UK industrial and academic communities, by being a focal point where small and medium enterprises, large industry and end-users can work together with researchers to challenge barriers, explore and develop new ideas, and bring these to commercial reality.
Sustainability
Nvidia has announced it is building a supercomputer which will be capable of modelling the entire planet at metre-scale resolution – allowing development of much more accurate climate models.
Mobility & Transport
A logistics startup is using AI-powered predictive analysis to save shippers and customers money by shortening trip and reducing emissions.
Agriculture & Energy
The community solar project will power 3,000 homes this summer with clean energy, lowering greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing about 5,400 cars per year.
Computing & Tech
A Japanese supercomputer is being used to model potential flooding caused by tsunamis, in an attempt to improve safety.
Science
Engineers have developed a wooden satellite that burns up on re-entry – eliminating the possibility of creating more space debris.
Computing & Tech
A data analytics company has developed a tool to help epidemiologists predict outbreaks of the coronavirus.
