Visual Intelligence
Maximizing Returns with Flexible Digital Sensor Solutions

Today, a profound challenge that encumbers GIS technology leaders is delivering quality geospatial products while saving money. “Traditionally, image collection has been done by single-purpose sensors that are built for individual applications. We recognize that it is a problem for GIS companies to make large investments in order to collect data for each project type,” informs Dr. Armando Guevara, CEO, Visual Intelligence. This is where Visual Intelligence outshines others by providing technology that gives aerial imaging companies a flexible sensor system that can be expanded or changed to meet specific project needs. In other words, Visual Intelligence delivers geoimaging systems and technologies that are used for airborne imaging applications as well as image and data collection. Interestingly, the name— Visual Intelligence—reinforces the company's technology offering which opens up a wide realm of intelligent data along with a multipurpose approach to imaging.

The company’s patented iOne Sensor solution uses an adaptable and scalable architecture and underlying software foundation that expands the image collection footprint by adding additional cameras. This hardware/software solution allows the sensor to be reconfigured in the field into a different format, different type of sensor, or oblique/3D mapping sensor device. Because of this, image providers save money by using multiple sensors or camera modules in the same system, and expanding the system using multiple arrays. Low sensor costs also allow typically cash poor industries such as forestry and agriculture to take full advantage of the benefits of aerial imagery. “There are unlimited uses for our technology in geospatial applications. For example, by creating 3D images, users can extract measurements and other valuable information that isn’t available in a 2D image,” states Guevara.

In order to create such sophisticated yet simple sensor systems, Visual Intelligence uses commercial off the shelf (COTS) components. Advanced software algorithms use these COTS components for high-quality metric systems. “By expanding beyond a single camera, image providers can fuse image and data to produce information-rich images and create technically advanced image products that include infrared imagery, thermal vision capabilities, and ultra-high resolution imagery,” remarks Guevara.

Lower sensor costs allow typically cash poor industries such as forestry and agriculture to take full advantage of the benefits of aerial imagery

Investing heavily in the quality and creativity of their team, Visual Intelligence has helped several customers with innovative sensor technology. In one instance, McKim and Creed, a geomatics and Planning Services Company, combined aerial imagery collected using Visual Intelligence’s sensor system with mobile LiDAR datasets and oblique imagery. As a result, McKim and Creed uses the unique information that is specific to each technology to create a next-generation geospatial data product. “Users now have a spectacular 3D view with another level of contextual data to meet their specific needs, and can easily get information such as the distance between transmission wires and obstructions, or the slope of a specific area for drainage and run-off analysis,” says Guevara.

Visual Intelligence is currently developing an array-based high resolution imaging system for use in unmanned aerial vehicles. The company also has initiatives in place to use Visual Intelligence array technology in smartphone and tablet applications. The technology expands imaging capabilities and users can collect more types of imagery and data, which means it can replace a variety of expensive and unwieldy equipment for workers in the field. In addition, when miniaturized, Visual Intelligence’s iOne array technology has application in vehicles and wearable cameras to provide smarter and more sophisticated displays, giving the user access to measurable data and video with a wider field of view.