GIS, maps and GeoAI
Semantic segmentation and land cover
Pixel-level classes such as water, built-up, crops and burn scars from imagery.
We design, integrate and operate.
ISO 19144-2 (Land Cover Meta Language) · OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1
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Earth observation & GeoAI/
GeoAIModels trained and checked against field truth.
GeoAI, inside Earth observation & GeoAI: semantic segmentation and land cover, change detection, object detection and counting, training data and labels and more. Every item is traced to its specification, from ISO 19144-2 (Land Cover Meta Language) to OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1, and runs on the open Observatory Protocol.
Plan with usArchitectureThe protocol- Technologies
- 9
- At the frontier
- 2
- Protocol functions
- 3 of 8
- Industries served
- 16
Real elevation · Bow Valley, Alberta · from the Earth explainers
01What it is
GeoAI.
The reference frames, formats, services, analysis methods, machine learning and 3D models that turn observations into located, queryable and decision-ready geographic information. Each technology below carries what it is, what we do with it, and the standard it is drawn against.
GIS, maps and GeoAI
Change detection
Finding what changed between dates, from new structures to landslides and flood extent.
We design, integrate and operate.
CEOS ARD (consistent inputs) · ISO 19157-1
GIS, maps and GeoAI
Object detection and counting
Locating assets, vehicles, vessels and damage in imagery and video.
We design, integrate and operate.
STAC Label extension · OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1
GIS, maps and GeoAI
Training data and labels
Curated, versioned, licensed training sets with provenance and class definitions.
We design and operate.
OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1 · STAC Label extension
GIS, maps and GeoAI
Model metadata and model cards
Recording inputs, bands, resolution, training data and limits with every model.
We design and operate.
STAC Machine Learning Model (MLM) extension
GIS, maps and GeoAI
Accuracy assessment
Sampling design and area-adjusted accuracy so map errors are reported honestly.
We design and operate.
ISO 19157-1:2023 · Olofsson et al. (2014) good practices for accuracy assessment
GIS, maps and GeoAI
Edge inference on imagery
Running models beside cameras and drones so alerts arrive without moving raw video.
We design, integrate, deploy and operate.
OGC API – Processes
Frontier · GIS, maps and GeoAI
Geospatial foundation models
Large pretrained models for imagery and maps fine-tuned with few labels.
We design and integrate.
OGC TrainingDML-AI Part 1
Frontier · GIS, maps and GeoAI
Super-resolution and multi-sensor fusion
Learning to combine sensors and resolutions into sharper or gap-free products, with uncertainty flagged.
We integrate.
ISO 19157-1:2023
02Architecture
Where it sits, and what it speaks.
GeoAI draws on 2 domains and 16 layers of the spectrum; the highlighted layers carry this area. It speaks 3 of the protocol’s 8 core functions.
Platforms and orbits
8
Optical, spectral and thermal sensors
8
Radar, lidar and microwave sensors
10
Processing levels and analysis-ready data
9
Calibration and validation
8
Tasking, ground segment and access
9
Data cubes, analysis and archives
7
Frontier and research
8
Reference systems and geodesy
7
Vector, raster and array formats
10
Tiling, maps and visual services
7
APIs, catalogues and discrete global grids
8
Spatial analysis and siting
10
GeoAI
10
3D, BIM and digital twins
8
Metadata, quality and publication
5
01JoinIdentity, attestation quote, signed policy.
02AdmitAdmitted for a stated scope, nothing wider.
03DescribeWhat, where, how and by whom, with calibration.
04TimeOne clock across the grid, with its error bound.
05ObserveEvery value with quality and provenance.
06QualifyTested against the specification, state on record.
07FederateSigned exchange across grids and trust domains.
08OrchestrateSoftware and configuration by signed plan.
03On the grid
The ground, measured before it is modelled.
Real elevation, line of sight, an orbit swath and a GeoAI pass, each an interactive explainer on open terrain data with its source shown.
Satellite pass
One orbit, one swath, line by line.GeoAI
A detection method on real slopes, simulated outputs.Relief
Terrarium-encoded DEM, contours by marching squares.Layer stack
Every layer registered to one grid.04In the field
Where this runs, sector by sector.
5 deployment scenarios from the sector research that rely on geoai.
Government and public safetyDeployable communications and sensing for incident command
A cell on wheels with satellite backhaul, mesh telemetry and environment nodes at the incident base.Development and humanitarianSchool connectivity with a school observatory
Satellite or fixed wireless, school Wi-Fi, an open connectivity probe and an optional station.Development and humanitarianDisplacement-site connectivity and sensing
Point-to-multipoint wireless, satellite backhaul, solar and water-point sensors with protection safeguards.ScientificOcean and coastal low-cost buoy arrays
Satellite-backhauled wave buoys accepted in a national programme trial.TransportHighway corridor mobile coverage for safety
Small cells and satellite backhaul along unserved roads.05Open and enterprise
Open by default. Enterprise by contract.
The open counterpart lives on the main site for anyone to read and run. The enterprise service is designed, deployed and operated with you, under contract.
Open, on the main site
- Observatories atlas
- World grid
- Map sources with licences
Enterprise, on this site
- Capture campaigns
- Site twins
06The rest of the line
Earth observation & GeoAI, area by area.
Earth observation & GeoAIGround segment
Downlink and process at the edge.Earth observation & GeoAIDrones and imagery
Campaigns planned to the ground sample distance.Earth observation & GeoAISite twins
The site, measured in 3D, to scale.Bring us the site.
Survey, design, deployment and operation for geoai. The form names who receives your details.
Talk to uscontact@observatory.global