Concept Note

The Geospatial World Forum 2025 will feature a 90-minute technology program on UAVs, highlighting its transformative impact across industries.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have transformed the landscape of geospatial data collection. Equipped with advanced sensors, high-resolution cameras, and LiDAR technology, UAVs provide timely, precise, and cost-effective spatial data across diverse terrains and conditions. Their ability to access remote or hazardous locations makes them indispensable in mapping, environmental monitoring, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, disaster response, and urban planning.

UAVs enable the rapid acquisition of high-frequency, high-resolution imagery that feeds into multiple processing methodologies—from photogrammetry and 3D modelling to machine learning-based feature extraction and change detection. These workflows enhance decision-making in sectors like mining, construction, energy, and conservation, offering granular insights in real time. As data demands evolve, so do UAV capabilities. The integration of AI, cloud-based processing, and edge computing continues to improve data accuracy, classification, and turnaround times. The growing maturity of UAV technology ensures its place at the core of geospatial strategies.

This summit will explore UAV applications, innovation trajectories, and emerging use cases, highlighting how UAVs are shaping the future of geospatial intelligence.