From time to time I like to stop and think about the mission of Pangaea and explain that mission to you. My task is exposing you to new, emerging geospatial technologies. But why bother? Here’s a little analogy I thought of to help explain why keeping abreast of new geospatial tech is critical. Imagine emerging geospatial technology as a big truck speeding towards you. Here are your options: 1) get onboard and drive the truck, 2) get onboard as a passenger, 3) get out the way, or 4) ignore it.

Let’s explore these options.

1. Become the driver. Sitting in the driver’s seat of technology puts you at the front end of the design process, providing valuable industry insight at this critical stage of development. Plus, this puts you in an enviable position as a market leader. Two great examples of geospatial professionals who are driving UAS development are John Perry of Altavian and Andrea Halter of senseFly, both featured in the May issue of xyHt focused on UAS tech. Downside: many geospatial firms are not really capitalized or oriented towards this option; just running a geospatial business can be a struggle, let alone being a visionary entrepreneur.
2. Get onboard. Basically, this means adopting the technology if for no other reason than being competitive. While you may not become a driving force in the development, you do maintain an edge in the marketplace. Plus you don’t have to invest time and money as a developer/entrepreneur.
3. Get out of the way. Upside: you avoid investing in new technology and save some money. You take a wait-and-see attitude and adopt new tech when the business and legal environment, as well as cost-factors, allow. Downside: your competitors take the initiative, adopt new tech, and eat your lunch.
4. Ignore it. The problem with this approach is self-evident: you get run over.

Becoming roadkill doesn’t seem like a desirable market position, nor does having the other guys eat your lunch. So, if you have some great ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit, go for option one. If that’s not your cup of tea, look hard at option two. If you need more information, well, just keep reading Pangaea and xyHt; we are honored to be your guides to emerging geospatial technology.

“I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.” —George Burns