Intelligent images

In an exclusive interview with MENA Infrastructure, David Critchley, CEO and Managing Director of Vision ME, explains the many applications of spatial information and its place in the infrastructure industry.

“Police, fire and rescue agencies are finding tremendous value in being able to map ingress and egress routes for vehicles and personnel in urban settings where 36-degree visualisation of every window, back door and alley eliminates the element of surprise”
-David Critchley

INFRA. How is technology development changing the face of the spatial information world?
David Critchley. Rapidly changing technologies are impacting every aspect of the spatial information industry, most notably in data acquisition, processing and data delivery. Vision ME has focused on maintaining state-of-the-art capabilities in these three critical areas. Specifically, Vision ME sees new sensors and cameras, some designed for niche applications, as the key to acquiring highly accurate raw imagery and elevation data. But accurate data is of little value without an efficient string of processing software operated by experienced technicians to generate quality end products. This is why Vision ME has put extensive resources into its production facility, which is operated locally in Dubai. And finally, clients want their products delivered quickly, which has prompted Vision ME to investigate and deploy a variety of innovative methods for delivering both hardcopy and digital geospatial products in the formats desired by the client, so the products are ready for immediate use.

INFRA. What are the advantages of using oblique images as opposed to nadir images?
DC. Both types of images have numerous applications, and oblique imagery is showing exceptional advantages in any situation where the end user must look at a ground feature or building structure from varying deflection angles and from different sides. Real estate, property assessment and insurance are just a few of the applications where being able to see the front of a building is as important as seeing the back. But those advantages can be life-saving in some public safety applications. Police, fire and rescue agencies are finding tremendous value in being able to map ingress and egress routes for vehicles and personnel, in urban settings where 360-degree visualisation of every window, back door and alley eliminates the element of surprise for emergency responders.

INFRA. How do you see the infrastructure industry fully utilising Vision ME’s visualisation tools? 
DC. Vision ME envisions itself as the long-term partner to the infrastructure industry through all phases of planning, engineering, construction and beyond. The advantages of highly accurate and up-to-date geospatial data sets are well documented during the planning and engineering of mega-development projects. But the value of imagery and other spatial products continues long after the structure or facility is built. Whether the infrastructure is a new hydrocarbon pipeline or a new business park, modern airborne imagery that can be captured and processed quickly is an extremely cost-effective means of managing and monitoring operational pipelines, pump stations, roadways, office buildings and utility equipment to ensure they are properly maintained and serviced throughout their life-cycle.

INFRA. In your opinion, what is the future direction of imagery technology in the infrastructure industry?
DC. Imagery technology is heading in two directions. First, the spatial resolution and accuracy of imaging cameras and sensors is constantly improving. And for this reason, Vision ME has arranged leases for many of our systems so we retain the flexibility to continually replace and upgrade imaging capabilities as new technologies are introduced. Secondly, the integration of multiple geospatial data sets to derive enhanced spatial information is an emerging technology direction that Vision ME already is exploiting. Among the best examples is the use of LiDAR elevation data to orthorectify aerial photographs with minimal ground surveying. This technique, which Vision ME employs, generates higher quality orthoimages that are often more cost-effective than those produced through traditional means. Thanks to our skilled and experienced staff of geospatial technicians, Vision ME clients can expect us to introduce a variety of similar ‘hybrid’ image products to meet the custom needs of their applications.