In an exclusive conversation, Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director, Bayanat, shares his views on the evolution of geospatial analytics over the decades, multi-sectoral use cases, criticality of predictive intelligence, and more.
Bayanat has established itself as a key provider of geospatial data analytics across sectors, ranging from smart mobility to logistics and supply chain. How do you see the evolution of geospatial data marketplace over the years, and where is the future headed?
The evolution of technology over the years has been remarkable. It continues to defy what humans once thought was possible. Bayanat started as a mapping and surveying company and has transitioned into an AI-powered geospatial analytics firm. We provide solutions and predictive capabilities to organizations in government, environment, energy and resources, as well as smart cities and transportation. A lot of the work we do now was unimaginable a few years ago.
This underscores the pace of innovation, especially in the past few decades. Currently, geospatial intelligence, AI, and Big Data analytics are becoming increasingly crucial across all industries to provide greater insights that inform important decisions.
As we look at the evolution of the geospatial data marketplace holistically — and as the pace of progress quickens and the world continues to evolve — our reliance upon geospatial data and technological advancements to provide decision-makers with more comprehensive data will surely increase.
One area that will undoubtedly improve in the near future is increased accuracy of data visualization– this includes high-definition maps, 3D models, and digital twins. Bayanat is working to enhance the geographic user interface to bolster simulations and enable users to make predictions with an even greater degree of certainty.
This will simplify the process and make it easier for users to understand, resulting in more accurate, efficient, and faster decision-making times. Looking at where we are now, geospatial mapping is accurate within 20 meters or so. Looking ahead, if an autonomous car needs to switch lanes at a very precise time, the geospatial data needs to be accurate within 50 centimetres.
This level of accuracy is crucial for technological advancements to seamlessly integrate and improve our lives and will benefit all industries, including environment, urban planning, smart mobility, satellite, and sensor capabilities, as well as location-based services.
AI is reshaping multiple sectors and verticals. What do you think would be its impact on on-demand geospatial Data-as-a-Service paradigm?
AI’s impact on geospatial Data-asa- Service (DaaS), like all industries, has been and continues to be profound. When combined, DaaS and AI can significantly impact businesses and organizations — from the way we extract insights from geospatial data, to improving the accuracy of analytics.
AI creates the pathway for more accurate and timely decision-making in a wide range of fields, from agriculture and urban planning to disaster management and environmental conservation. As AI continues to evolve, its impact on geospatial DaaS is likely to become even more significant.
As the geospatial DaaS industry experiences this significant growth, it will offer more cost-efficiency and broader accessibility to geospatial insights — benefiting those who leverage the technology in novel applications driven by wider and more frequent availability of data from multiple sources.
We aim to accelerate the use of AI in geospatial DaaS, ultimately transforming data products into information and providing recurring DaaS to our clients in the fields of critical infrastructure, oil and gas, municipal administration, environment, and security.
Bayanat has industry partners all across, from associations, academia, to satellite imagery providers. What are some of the key areas that you would focus on in the next five years?
At Bayanat, we are always keen to find the right partners that can give us the right momentum. We look at where technology stands today and, with that partner, consider how we can take it to the next level.
Bayanat’s vision for the next five years revolves around leveraging advanced technologies, refining data collection methods, and expanding our services to align both with evolving market demands and to support the UAE’s vision of becoming a global geospatial leader by 2031.
We are focused on growth and innovation in three key areas, including AI/ ML, satellite technology, and location-based services.
- The first is about creating scalable Big Data platforms in order to harness the full potential of AI, which will play a pivotal role in enabling more efficient and effective geospatial data analysis. AI allows organizations to streamline decision-making processes and deliver enhanced solutions across industries faster than ever. In situations where time is of the essence, having AI capabilities that uplevel decision-making capabilities is crucial.
- Second, with the expected launch of new satellites and ongoing improvements in sensor capabilities, Bayanat is poised to collect geospatial data with unprecedented accuracy and detail. Advancements in satellite and sensor capabilities will impact several industries, from security to environment to land-use and urban management.
- Lastly, we expect continued growth in location-based services, particularly in navigation and logistics. I mentioned earlier that increased visual accuracy will be incredibly important in realizing this growth. Bayanat is developing solutions that optimize route planning, resource allocation, and asset tracking, which can be used for advancements in autonomous vehicles and growing smart cities.
What do you think are the defining trends in the space sector, and how do you see Bayanat’s vision with it in a rapidly changing sector?
Space sector is rapidly changing and constantly evolving with the advent of the new space era. We are constantly evolving to keep up with market demands and technological advances.
Towards this, we prioritize strategic partnerships to augment and enhance our existing solutions and ensure that we remain at the cutting edge of innovations as well as set the trends that the industry will follow. An example of a partnership is our work with the UAE Space Agency, which has been a great champion for us, supporting our work to bring these advancements into the UAE.
Another would be our partnership with Yahsat and ICEYE, where we announced a comprehensive Space Program and Earth Observation capabilities aimed at building national satellite remote sensing capabilities within the UAE. One of the ambitions of this partnership is to develop a constellation of at least five Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This constellation will provide a consistent data stream, enabling end-to-end solutions for SAR applications.
The program is a stepping-stone towards realizing a broader space ecosystem in the UAE, including the development of in-country satellite manufacturing capabilities.
We plan to expand on this seed program to develop a state-of-the-art multi-sensor constellation. This comprehensive approach positions us to meet the evolving demands of the space sector effectively and set the trends the industry will then follow.
How crucial can predictive intelligence be to ensure global sustainability goals?
We envision AI and predictive intelligence playing a growing role in global sustainability efforts – which is why we have invested heavily in partnerships and technology that work towards sustainability goals.
Geospatial intelligence and mapping can provide real-time data on traffic patterns, population density, and other factors that are used to optimize existing transportation networks, urban planning expansion, and resource allocation and management.
In fact, even Mira Aerospace’s (JV between Bayanat and UAVOS) High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite, which gathers much of this valuable and actionable geospatial data, harnesses solar power to reduce the need for fuel-powered generators – minimizing carbon emissions compared to traditional satellites.
Our dedication to sustainability extends across the products and services we offer, from mobility solutions to marine and ocean exploration to urban planning.
