Long before the term “geospatial” was introduced, distinct disciplines for field capture of spatial data were recognized – land surveying, topographic mapping, aerial surveying and mapping, bathymetry, to name a few. In reality (no pun intended), any of these field data acquisition disciplines, with the tools and methods employed, were capturing reality. Even early explorers using a variety of natural navigation techniques were mapping and capturing the reality of new lands. So, what is all the more recent buzz about the term reality capture (RC)? Is it an informal catch-all term for anything new and shiny, or a marketing term? No, it is a perfectly legit term that has been widely accepted by the global geospatial community, related industries, and professions.
From an article in Geo Week News by Gavin Schrock.
But it wasn’t always that way.
The term was used infrequently prior to the most recent decade. Presently, you hear it used often as a generic term for any form of mass spatial data capture, in contrast to the observation of discrete individual “points” that characterize more traditional forms of field surveying and mapping. There are many specific applications where conventional methods are absolutely essential. However, the advent of laser scanning, digital photogrammetry, and the ability to process and classify (increasingly with AI assistance) massive datasets brings a proximal richness that conventional methods could never deliver at scale.
RC encompasses any and all of the mass spatial data technologies and methods. The fruits thereof have enabled a flood of new, updated, and accelerated end-use applications—some that were impractical with legacy methods. It has even spawned a new type of practitioner, or at least a new moniker. Increasingly, we hear the term “reality capture specialist”, characterizing a broader group of practitioners. RC has opened access to the technology, methods, and automation to a much broader range of users. RC does not detract from or make moot the essential work of established disciplines; it has also added production-boosting capabilities to the toolboxes of skilled geomatics and geospatial practitioners.
One firm completely embraced the term and found that it fit a new and rapidly expanding operational and functional business unit. About five years ago, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, established a Reality Capture division. Recently, we sat down for a conversation with Juergen Mayer, president of this division.
★★★
Ed. Note: This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
For the complete interview CLICK HERE.
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