By: Joshua Finley

Our mobile phones have become an integral part of our everyday lives, but when it comes to surveying, they’re not just for calls and texts. Mobile mapping technologies have emerged as a key component of modern surveying operations, with Braden Corfield of Sonto leading the charge.

Mobile Mapping Technologies

Mobile mapping technologies enable enhanced data collection, significantly speeding up the process. However, that’s not where the benefits end. Corfield explains the technology’s potential to secure a more efficient, accurate, and technologically advanced future. Outlining mobile mapping’s significance, he says:

“Mobile mapping solutions have supercharged our industry. We can now capture detailed 3D data of our environment while in motion, which is particularly valuable in infrastructure projects, urban planning, and asset management. The ability to survey entire road networks or urban areas in a matter of days rather than weeks is not just improving efficiency. It’s changing the economics of large-scale mapping projects.”

The Australian Construction Industry

Mobile mapping triggered a seismic shift across the Australian construction industry. A 2012 report by Independent Economics revealed that the construction industry’s multifactor productivity accelerated, rising by 14.5% in the nine years to 2010-2011, with most of these productivity gains attributed to the adoption of geospatial and augmented positioning technologies. Corfield believes this trend has only accelerated since then.

“At Sonto, we’ve seen firsthand how mobile mapping technology can redefine project timelines and decision-making processes,” Corfield states. “The ability to capture high-resolution imagery and precise topographic data in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods is invaluable. Moreover, we can conduct these surveys with minimal disruption to ongoing site activities, enhancing safety and reducing downtime.”

Moving Beyond Data Collection

The applications of mobile mapping technology extend far beyond traditional surveying. Corfield and his team at Sonto are exploring exciting applications in areas such as infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. “We’re seeing a convergence of technologies that are opening up new possibilities,” Corfield explains. “The integration of mobile mapping data with other surveying technologies and GIS systems is creating a more comprehensive and dynamic understanding of our built and natural environments.”

The Data Challenge

One of the primary challenges Sonto faces is developing sophisticated data processing algorithms that can handle the massive datasets generated by their mobile mapping systems. Corfield elaborates: “The sheer volume of data we’re collecting is staggering. Our focus now is on extracting meaningful information and insights in near real-time. This requires technological innovation and a significant shift in how we think about and process spatial data.”

Overcoming Key Challenges

In response to the critical data challenge, Sonto invests heavily in research and development, collaborating with software developers and data scientists to create custom solutions.

“We’re not just users of technology,” Corfield states proudly. “We’re active participants in its evolution. Our goal is to develop tools that can process and analyze mobile mapping data with the same speed and efficiency with which we collect it. It’s not enough to just have the technology. We need to ensure that we can use the technology to its full potential while maintaining the high standards of accuracy and reliability that our clients expect. This requires a holistic approach to our operations, from training our staff to redesigning our project management processes.”

Looking Ahead

Corfield is optimistic about the future of mobile mapping technology and its potential to support the continued growth of the surveying industry. “We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” he says. “As we continue to refine these technologies and develop new applications, I believe we’ll see a fundamental shift in how we approach spatial data collection and analysis. The surveyor of the future will be as comfortable with data analytics and machine learning as they are with traditional surveying techniques.”

Summary

As the surveying industry continues to evolve, companies like Sonto, under the visionary leadership of professionals like Braden Corfield, are not just keeping pace with change—they’re driving it. The landscape of surveying will continue to evolve, with mobile mapping technology playing a central role in shaping a more efficient, accurate, and sustainable industry.

For more insights, you can follow Braden Corfield on LinkedIn or reach out to him at Sonto.

Published by Mark V.