Some Of The Future Is Now!

Geospatial Technologies have developed much beyond what they were as little as 3 years ago, there is still so much to improve upon. We have begun to see shifts in the technology that will certainly take a foothold in the near future, such as:

• Improvements to user interfaces
• Differences in data types (Raster vs. Vector) will begin to disappear as GIS becomes more flexible and adaptable
• Object-oriented and database programming will improve data management
• Increased distribution over local and wide area networks
• Increased web-based data delivery
• Improved GPS/GIS integration, such as live tracking systems

Geospatial Technology: Future Immersion

As computer systems technologies and human interfacing devices advance, they will have a drastic effect on how Geospatial Information is manipulated, analyzed and interpreted. The following theoretical technologies will further increase the immersion of a geospatial mapping:

• Automated vision tools
• Hyperinteractivity
  • Multi-sensory input
    • Gloves
    • Movement / Gesture sensors
    • Vision tracking
  • Multi-sensory output
    • 3D Projection
  • Augmented reality
• Spatial analysis tools
• Implementation of a " Fourth Dimension "
• Full, photo-realistic 3D modeling of all vector data sets
• Animated / Interactive maps

Potential Future Issues

As GIS and Geospatial Technology becomes easier to use, widely-available, and data becomes more enhanced, the industry will many issues and challengdes about the uses of Geospatial Information. Privacy will become a critical issue as GIS expands into legal applications. Data ownership, too, will become a constant battle for Geospatial Technology, with a very delicate balance between public and private GIS data. Currently, Geospatial Technology research is threatened by lack of funding and support; this trend will continue (and worsen) through the future if the GIS community does not protect it.

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