The geospatial profession is finding unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology has the potential to revolutionize data collection and lower operating costs. 

The geospatial profession is finding unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology has the potential to revolutionize data collection and lower operating costs. In an effort to continue to educate members and to fully embrace the conference theme "Ground to Cloud (R)Evolution - Emerging Technologies Supporting Geospatial Applications”,  MAPPS and ASPRS announced a UAV showcase will be added to its joint conference, Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 in Tampa, Fla. to highlight and explore the emerging technology.

Manufacturers of UAV/UAS platforms, sensors and packages are encouraged to participate in the showcase to display the technology. The showcase will allow geospatial practitioners and data collectors to have an opportunity to engage with the developers. UAV/UAS manufactures can sign-up for the showcase by contacting Kelley Kennedy-Lapping at asprs@townsend-group.com.

In addition to the showcase, on Nov. 1, a special session will focus on UAV/UAS's and the geospatial market. Mike Tully, Aerial Services (Cedar  Falls, Iowa), will review the results of an extensive market survey of commercial  unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the U.S., focusing on systems in the "under 55  lbs." class. In addition, George Southard, Trimble Navigation Limited (Westminster, Colo.) will discuss what Trimble's recent acquisition of Gatewing NV and the introduction of UAV/UAS means to different markets.

The session will also review the legal and operational hurdles that must be overcome for commercial unmanned systems to function in U.S. airspace.

Early registration for the conference ends Sep. 28. To view the preliminary program and to register, visit the conference website.

This conference is the seventh in a series that originated in 1994 as the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and the Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS) began jointly hosting education conferences on emerging mapping and geospatial technologies and applications that have now become an integral part of our everyday lives.