INTERGEO 2017 – “We are bringing worlds together”

“We are going to ride this wave. Stopping it is not an option.” That was the declaration made by Prof. Hansjörg Kutterer, President of INTERGEO’s host the DVW, when he spoke about the mammoth challenge that digitalisation poses for the entire geo-IT sector. He went on to emphasise that digitalisation has seen geodesists and geo-IT experts from a whole range of specialist backgrounds take on a very special role. Kutterer pointed out that geodata has long since moved from the fringes to the very heart of digital processes across all applications. A whole spread of new technologies, processes and approaches have emerged alongside “Geodesy 4.0”, which represents a forward-looking IT sector in the digitalisation age. He believes that “we are shaping digitalisation and bringing together different worlds in doing so.” In fact, that is becoming more important than ever, as digitalisation is no end in its own right. Solutions need to be found for social questions relating to mobility, energy, the environment, security and health and these issues cannot be tackled without digitalisation.

The momentum that is driving digitalisation forward is constantly growing and INTERGEO reflects the current market dynamic, thus sending out a clear signal in this environment. After three days of showcasing products and solutions, disseminating information and promoting lively interaction at the conference and in forums, the event has drawn to a close with top marks. Some 580 exhibitors from 37 countries and more than 1,400 conference delegates can attest to the outstanding success, which has seen INTERGEO reaffirm its position as the leading international trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. Berlin also provided the bonus it promised as a major capital city – for the first time, the trade fair and conference attracted more than 18,000 visitors from over 100 countries.

Innovation brought to life at the trade fair and conference
The product and solutions portfolios of the exhibitors at INTERGEO covered the entire process chain from data capture and analysis through to the presentation and visualisation of results. The range on offer from manufacturers and service providers this year stretched further than ever. Just about everything was covered, from products and solutions relating to GNSS surveying, 3D modelling, GIS and Europe’s COPERNICUS Earth observation program to the practical presentation of information based on virtual and augmented reality technologies. Ron Bisio, Vice President Geospatial at Trimble, neatly summed up the feelings of many other exhibitors: “That was possibly the most vibrant INTERGEO we have ever exhibited at. It went like a dream for us. We met partners and customers from all other the world.” Dr. Jürgen Dold, President of Hexagon Geosystems, was similarly positive: “From my point of view, the event was extremely successful, and not just because we were able to exhibit a whole host of innovations to our customers and friends, but because of all the inspirational discussions we had about digitalisation with other companies and public sector bodies.”

Digitalisation was also a recurrent theme at the conference and in the trade fair forums, too. Focal points of the wide-ranging programme of presentations and numerous interactive discussion formats included the digital city, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Geospatial 4.0 and Open Government.

All change – occupations, BIM and smart cities
The three days at INTERGEO highlighted the breakneck pace of the digital transformation. Occupations themselves are changing, as the geodesists of yesterday become the geodata managers of tomorrow. There is an ever-increasing demand for “all-rounders” who can bring geodetic expertise, IT know-how and management skills to the table. This varied skill set will be essential for Building Information Modelling (BIM), the digital process applied to the planning, construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure. This particular hot topic played an even bigger role in INTERGEO, particularly because geodata lies at the very heart of this still relatively new method, which is designed to boost efficiency in the construction sector.

The digitalisation of entire cities and the creation of digital twins for urban areas are two other areas where geoinformation takes centre stage. In his keynote speech on “Digital Networking – the Basis for the City of the Future”, Prof. Manfred Hauswirth, Director of Fraunhofer FOKUS, claimed that geodata is some of the most important data worldwide. At SMART CITY SOLUTIONS, INTERGEO showcased an extended range of solutions for the intelligent city of tomorrow. Representing her young company LocLab Consulting at the “Innovations Made in Germany” joint stand was BIM expert Dr. Ilka May. She spoke about the next stage in innovation, which was in evidence at this year’s INTERGEO. “Besides increasingly high-tech data capture solutions, we are witnessing the emergence of interactive solutions that take planning and building to the next level.”

INTERAERIAL SOLUTIONS – Europe’s biggest civil drone show
A total of 158 exhibitors, 84 presentations in two forums and more than 30 take-offs and landings in Europe’s largest flight zone made interaerial SOLUTIONS at INTERGEO the meeting point for the international UAV sector. The enormous range on show underscored the event’s importance as Europe’s leading commercial and civil drone show. Presented for the first time this year, the DRONE PIONEER AWARD, which recognises sustainable solutions using drones, went to the ECOSwat project. This project documents climate change to provide conclusive evidence. A special prize sponsored by the Joschka Fischer Company was also presented to the ELEPHANT SURVIVAL ORGANISATION. Winner of the startup sessions was Project Airteam from Berlin, which offers drone services for a range of applications, including infrastructure inspection.

Digitalisation – the headline topic is here to stay. And that goes for 2018 in Frankfurt, too
As DVW President Professor Kutterer pointed out, it is still not possible to say how far digitalisation will take us. However, he stressed the importance of finding the right direction to ensure everyone is prepared for when the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence methodologies bring added dimensions of digitalisation to the fore. “The overwhelmingly positive response from visitors to the trade fair and conference shows that we picked the right issues to focus on. We are evidently headed in the right direction,” said Kutterer.

INTERGEO 2018 will explore that same direction in even greater depth and breadth. Digitalisation and the innovations it brings in terms of BIM, virtual and augmented reality, UAVs and smart cities will be at the top of the agenda from 16 to 18 October in Frankfurt.

About INTERGEO

INTERGEO, which consists of a conference and a trade fair, is the world’s largest event for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. It is held every year at different venues in Germany. The conference focuses on current issues arising in politics, administration, science and industry. INTERGEO’s continuing aim is to facilitate process optimisation in numerous target markets with the geo-IT potential it showcases. Its forthcoming venues are the internationally renowned exhibition cities of Frankfurt in 2018, Stuttgart in 2019 an Berlin in 2020.

INTERGEO is hosted by DVW – the German Society for Geodesy, Geoinformation and Land Management.

Further information is available at www.intergeo.de.
Relevant interviews and video clips can be found at www.intergeo-tv.com

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