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Mobile GIS Technology Trends

Speaker: Eric Gakstatter Editor of Geospatial Solutions & GPS Worlds Survey Scene Newsletter

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Outline What is Mobile GIS? Software trends Data trends Device trends Other trends Audience Q&A

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What is Mobile GIS?

An extension of GIS technology from the office workstation to the field. Utilizes mobile GIS software app. Utilizes a mobile device such as a handheld PDA, tablet PC, notebook PC, smartphone, etc. Typically uses a sensor (GPS, camera, etc.). Requires GIS data (on-board or via the cloud).
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What is Mobile GIS?

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Source: Mohamed A. Eleiche University of West Hungary

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What is Mobile GIS?

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Mobile GIS Apps

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Source: Mohamed A. Eleiche University of West Hungary

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Mobile GIS Apps

Two primary categories of Mobile GIS Apps: 1. Professional-grade apps that require a certain level of expertise and training in order to become proficient.
Example: Utility pole inspection, bridge inspection.

2. Consumer-grade apps that meet basic Mobile GIS requirements, and are easily learned.
Example: Citizen reporting, crisis mapping.

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Mobile GIS App Trends

Professional apps are trending towards tighter integration between field and office. Lightweight apps on smartphones are trending for consumer use. Cross-platform software development tools are emerging.

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Sensors

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Source: Mohamed A. Eleiche University of West Hungary

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Mobile Device Sensors

GPS Digital camera Laser rangefinder RF ID Lidar scanning Inertial nav, accelerometer

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Mobile Device Sensors - Trends

GPS is trending towards better accuracy as new GPS signals are deployed and different constellations are supported. Digital cameras trending towards embedded metadata such as location, direction and syncing. Laser rangefinders trending towards tighter integration and better resolution.
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Mobile Device Sensors Trends cont.

RF ID adoption is early but certainly has a solid future in Mobile GIS. Asset management. Lidar (terrestrial) scanning trending towards lower cost and more efficient data management. Inertial navigation/accelerometer trending towards integration. 3-axis gyro, 3-axis accelerometer chips. Ped navigation, augmented reality, gesture user interface.
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Geospatial Data

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Source: Mohamed A. Eleiche University of West Hungary

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Geospatial Data
If GIS software is the engine, then geospatial data is the fuel. GIS apps limited by geospatial data. As mobile device and sensor technology advance, geospatial data volume and quality will increase (eg. terrestrial Lidar). Geospatial data has historically been 2D. 3D geospatial data is becoming more commonplace (eg. GPS, lidar, laser rangefinders).

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Geospatial Data - Trends

Trending towards community basemap data. Trending towards crowd-sourced data as mobile devices proliferate. Trending towards 3D data. Trending towards higher accuracy data (GPS, satellite imagery, terrestrial lidar). The value of high-precision GIS data is decreasing as it becomes less expensive to collect.

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Mobile GIS Software

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Source: Mohamed A. Eleiche University of West Hungary

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Mobile GIS Software

Examples, 1. ArcGIS Desktop running on a tablet/notebook PC in the field. 2. Solo3D/iCMTGIS/ArcPad running offline on a PDA/tablet/notebook. 3. Connected apps (ArcGIS for iOS/Android/Windows Phone 7) running on a smartphone.
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Mobile GIS Software - Trends

Connected apps gaining momentum as smartphones proliferate. Offline software w/local data requires native programming environment for performance. Simplicity gaining momentum as crowd-sourced data gains awareness (eg. citizen reporting). GIS and LBS software converging as locationawareness becomes more prevalent in mobile devices.
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Mobile Device Operating Systems

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Source: Mohamed A. Eleiche University of West Hungary

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Mobile Device Operating Systems

Its not just a Microsoft Windows game any more. Smartphones have transformed the Mobile Device Operating System landscape. Where were iOS, Android, and BlackBerry OS before smartphones? Software development environments are substantially different among operating systems, so many developers choose one platform to support.

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Mobile Device Operating Systems - Trends

iOS and Android solidly in the lead. Android is an open system and hardware independent. RIM recently announced a native development kit. Microsoft will stop accepting Windows Mobile 6.x applications on July 15, 2011. Possibly transitioning to Windows Embedded Handheld using 6.x SDK. Windows Phone 7, named the successor to Windows Mobile, is designed for the consumer market, not enterprise.

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Mobile Devices

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Source: Mohamed A. Eleiche University of West Hungary

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Mobile Devices
Smartphones, PDAs, tablets, UMPCs, notebooks. While smartphones seem to have stole the show, enterprise adoption of smartphones isnt mainstream yet. Need offline support. New tablet computer introductions have exploded since the iPad was introduced. Consumer PDAs have dwindled while industrial PDAs have expanded.
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Mobile Devices - Trends

Smartphones continue to gain momentum especially when offline apps are supported. Cost of tablet computers is falling. Cost of new 10.1 screen, Atom 1.5GHz, Windows 7 < $1,000. Industrial PDA market seeing increased competition via new market entrants, benefiting from smartphone explosion. Notebook computer prices are falling substantially.
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Mobile Devices

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Source: Mohamed A. Eleiche University of West Hungary

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Other Technology Trends

Augmented reality.

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Other Technology Trends

Sensor fusion GPS, laser, lidar, inertial nav, accelerometer, RF ID, digital camera,

Reduced size Lower cost More powerful

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Security/Privacy
Data security is a major concern, especially with online apps. Lock your phone Secure the pipeline (eg. https) Secure the server Alternatively, leverage VPN if available.
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Will We Be a Billion Times More Geospatially Intelligent in 30 years?

-Exponential growth vs. Linear growth. -Linear growth is 30 steps in 30 years. -Exponential growth is a billion steps in 30 years.

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Thanks to our sponsor

-Visit Magellan at the Esri User Conference in San Diego, CA (July 12-14). Booth #1507. -Tuesday, July 12, 12p-1p, Room 25C Mobile GIS seminar. Free drawing for Magellans new Pro 10 GPS/GIS Rugged Handheld.
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Questions from Audience

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Are consumer-level GPS devices going to get down to sub-meter accuracy and when?

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What is the viability of heavy apps such as ArcPad moving forward?

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What is the future of phone-based GIS?

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What impact with mobile mapping vehicles from Topcon, Trimble, Riegl and Optech have on professional-grade GIS handset sales?

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OS Standards for mobile devices in the next 3-5 years?

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What needs are not being met yet by Android and iOS devices?

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Is centimeter-level GIS real?

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Technology is changing rapidly, what technology that is being used today will still be here in 10 years?

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What is the progress of the LightSquared issue?

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Where do you see the market heading in the next 24 months with mobile GIS solutions for small businesses?

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iPhone and iPad accuracy seems lacking (about 75 to 150 feet), and Apple site doesn't provide info regarding accuracy. What is accuracy of an iPhone? Does it use WAAS? I suspect not.

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What are the GPS/GNSS precision requirements for most GIS users? Talking about absolute accuracy?

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Software integration is important to our staff. How do you put multi applications in the field and work together to give the staff all the info they need in the field?

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Contact Information: Eric Gakstatter egakstatter@gpsworld.com

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