The Mobile Mapping Revolution with AI

Mobile mapping has evolved over the years, becoming an essential tool for collecting geospatial data. But what exactly is mobile mapping? In simple terms, it’s a technology that uses sensors mounted on vehicles that drive around capturing 360-degree images, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data, and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) information. These vehicles can collect data about the surrounding environment, such as city infrastructure, including roads, buildings, traffic signs, and even trees, creating a digital representation of the real world.

What sets mobile mapping apart is its ability to collect vast amounts of data efficiently and continuously. AI-InfraSolutions, for example, collects data across the entire Netherlands, covering about 150,000 kilometers of streets, and updates this collection annually. This geographic coverage clearly demonstrates the scalability of the solution and the success of the AI-based technology. The consistency of the data over time is crucial to transforming this immense amount of information into something useful and valuable, showing potential partners how the technology can be effectively applied in different contexts and regions.

Once collected, the data needs to be processed and converted into actionable information. This is where artificial intelligence comes in. AI-InfraSolutions aims to create a platform that allows users to ask and answer questions about the data collected over time, using AI to generate insights from this vast amount of information.

“We want to be the search engine for objects in the outside world,” says Jeroen Zanen, one of the founders of AI-InfraSolutions. The company’s goal is to transform data into information that can be used by a variety of industries, including governments, insurance companies, banks, telecommunications, and more. These data not only include physical street mapping but also cover information about real estate, underground infrastructure, and even fiber-optic networks and transportation. AI-InfraSolutions aims to offer its AI-based technology to global partners, enabling them to build their own search engines using this technology. They are currently testing and refining its solutions in the Netherlands, with the goal of supporting its scalable technology to partners worldwide.

Breaking Barriers: From Data Capture to Actionable insights

AI-InfraSolutions was created to overcome the barriers to high-quality data collection and processing. By partnering with Bentley, the team integrated Bentley’s Orbit 3DM solution, which provided seamless data viewing and integration, allowing AI to classify and process outdoor assets in real-time. The project’s goal was to make advanced mobile mapping technology more accessible without significant upfront investment or specialized knowledge, allowing companies worldwide to leverage the solution quickly. 

The integration of Bentley’s Orbit 3DM technology significantly improved operational efficiency, enabling data to be processed within 24 hours. The solution’s quick turnaround and high-quality output allowed companies to make timely decisions and take advantage of new opportunities faster. The leasing model introduced also reduced capital investment requirements, making it easier for companies to adopt the technology and scale their operations. 

For AI-InfraSolutions, the integration of Bentley’s tools reduced development time, allowed faster deployment, and enhanced product competitiveness. Partners in mobile mapping benefited from lower entry barriers, enabling them to adopt an all-in-one solution without needing technical expertise. End users, including construction companies and government agencies, gained immediate access to high-quality data, leading to improved efficiency, cost savings, and better project outcomes. 

In summary, Bentley’s technology empowered AI-InfraSolutions to deliver a scalable, efficient, and profitable solution, transforming the way companies capture, process, and utilize mapping data. 

So, as data accumulates, the next step is to turn it into an accurate digital model of the physical world. This is done through the creation of Digital Twins, virtual representations of real-world objects or systems. AI-InfraSolutions aims to create Digital Twins of the entire urban environment, enabling real-time visualization and analysis of infrastructure assets. 

These Digital Twins are particularly useful for infrastructure planning and maintenance. For example, local authorities can use these models to simulate traffic scenarios, predict the need for road and bridge maintenance, or even plan urban expansion more efficiently. Additionally, Digital Twins can be enriched with additional layers of internal data, such as traffic conditions, performance of telecommunications networks, or public resource usage. 

The future of AI in the infrastructure sector promises to be even more transformative. In five to six years, AI-InfraSolutions anticipates that it will be possible to directly ask questions to datasets and get real-time answers, something that will significantly speed up the decision-making process. 

The key to this is the creation of consistent, long-term datasets, updated annually, which provide a solid foundation for AI technologies. The integration of data with visualization platforms like Cesium, for example, opens a world of possibilities, making 3D visualization and spatial analysis more accessible and accurate. 

The Contribution of the Ecosystem and Strategic Partnerships

AI-InfraSolutions understands that advancing technology requires collaboration. To expand the impact of its solutions, the company is actively seeking local partners globally who are eager to adopt its AI-based Mobile Mapping technology. This comprehensive solution covers everything from the mobile mapping vehicle setup to the local implementation of processing software and AI-guided workflows. The company’s vision is for this AI-driven technology to achieve widespread adoption in every country, helping to transform how infrastructure is managed worldwide.  

These strategic partnerships are essential for building a global network of data and solutions that can benefit companies in different regions. By leveraging the power of mobile mapping and AI, AI-InfraSolutions aims to revolutionize how we approach infrastructure management, making it more efficient and scalable. 

The role of companies like Bentley, which provide software solutions for designing, operating, and maintaining infrastructure, is crucial in accelerating the development of new AI applications and data integration. The merging of technologies like mobile mapping, AI, and digital twins will allow industry professionals to access advanced tools for managing and optimizing their infrastructure assets. 

Benefits for Partners: 

1. Access to Cutting-Edge Technology: Partners will be at the forefront of AI-based Mobile Mapping innovations.
2. Enhanced Operational Efficiency: AI-guided workflows streamline processes, reducing time and effort.
3. Competitive Advantage: Adopting this advanced technology without significant pre-investment gives partners an edge in their local markets.
4. Comprehensive Support: Partners receive full support, backed by extensive experience in large-scale mapping, from vehicle setup to software implementation.
5. Growth Opportunities: Being part of a global network opens up new business opportunities and markets. 

Together with Bentley, we deliver digital geospatial insights for a safer and sustainable world

• Large-scale mobile mapping
• High quality process in 24 hours
• GeoAI with our proven models