Geomob

In this week's episode of the Geomob Podcast, host Ed Freyfogle meets with Harald Rieber, Co-Founder and CTO at Atlas. Atlas.co is a web-based full-stack mapping company that provides an all-in-one solution that enables map data storage, collaboration and visualisation, focusing on making map-making simple for non-technical people. They focus on the product before moving onto the recent $2m funding round which the Norway-based company successfully closed, and project forward to see what's in store for the company. 

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Alastair and András Zlinszky delve into the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, exploring its significance as the official data access portal for Sentinel data. András shares insights into the unique features of the platform, including its cloud computing capabilities, tools for data analysis, and the integration of OpenEO for enhanced data processing. The conversation also highlights the importance of machine learning applications, specialized products like cloud-free mosaics, and the ongoing efforts to keep algorithms and tools up to date. The discussion concludes with a focus on the diverse user base, including government agencies, startups, and the general public, emphasizing the platform's accessibility and potential for community engagement.

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, host Steven speaks with Darius Darek Wojcik, a professor of financial geography and author of the Atlas of Finance. They explore the intersection of finance and geography, discussing how historical events, geographical factors, and institutional behaviors shape financial systems. The conversation delves into the significance of financial crises, the evolution of financial centers, the impact of digital technology on finance, and the pressing issue of gender inequality in the financial sector.

In this episode, Ed and Steven discuss their recent travels, focusing on the Geomob event in the Netherlands. Topics of focus include the recent growth of Geomob events across Europe, upcoming events, and speaker lineups. The conversation turns to the ways OpenStreetMap has contributed to humanitarian efforts and corporate involvement in mapping. Finally, they explore the future of mapping technology, competition in the GIS space, and make predictions for 2025.

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, host Steven welcomes Tom Armitage, a geospatial professional with over 20 years of experience who currently works as a technical writer for MapTiler. The conversation covers Tom's journey in the geospatial field, his passion for cartography, and the innovative services offered by MapTiler, including its mapping API and augmented reality capabilities. Tom discusses the importance of user experience and customization in mapping technologies and reveals some future developments at MapTiler.  Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.    

Sean Gorman returns to the podcast to discuss his new startup Zephr, which enhances GPS accuracy using a software-based solution that networks multiple devices. He shares insights on the challenges of GPS in urban environments, the potential applications of Zephr's technology, and the company's collaboration with the Ukrainian military to address GPS jamming issues. Sean also highlights emerging technologies in the geospatial field, including smart glasses and cloud-native solutions. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Alastair speaks with Neil Sims, an Earth Observation Scientist at CSIRO (Australia's national sciene agency), about his journey in the field of geospatial science and the importance of Earth observation in managing land degradation. They discuss the complexities of measuring land degradation, the significance of land degradation neutrality, and the role of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. Neil shares insights on the evolution of Earth observation technologies and their impact on sustainable land management practices, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration and innovation in the field. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This episode is sponsored by Bee Maps. Ed and Steven reconvene to discuss recent Geomob events in Berlin and Barcelona, highlighting various talks on AI, geospatial technologies, and community engagement. They also touch on the challenges of event attendance, upcoming events, and the monetization of their podcast. Ed shares a fun new feature from OpenCage: Shipping Forecast sea areas. He also calls for beta testers of a upcoming new service. Meanwhile Steven is about to head off leaf-peeping in New England, helped of course by thematic maps. Finally the topic turns to Foursquare, who recently announced the closure of their City Guides. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This episode is sponsored by Bee Maps. Doug Specht, a cultural geographer, joins Steven to discuss the power and limitations of maps in representing complex human experiences, particularly in times of conflict. He highlights the decisions that cartographers make about what to include and what to leave out, and how these choices can shape our understanding of a place or situation. Doug emphasizes the importance of recognizing that maps are not neutral or objective, but rather laden with power and subjectivity. He also explores the role of technology in mapping and the need for readers to critically engage with maps and understand their purpose. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This episode is sponsored by Bee Maps. Dr. Robin Cole joins Alastair to discuss the application of deep learning to satellite imagery and the growing community in this field. Robin shares his background in optical physics and how he transitioned into remote sensing and deep learning. Deep learning, a specific part of the AI family, uses neural networks to process satellite imagery and has seen significant advancements since 2012. The volume of satellite imagery requires automated means of analysis and indexing, and deep learning models have made this possible. There are standardized methods and libraries, such as PyTorch and TorchGeo, that facilitate deep learning in the geospatial domain. The community Robin has built focuses on sharing resources, knowledge, and expertise in deep learning and Earth observation. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.