Geo Week 2026 To Explore the Intersection of Uncrewed and Geospatial Technology

Across many industries, geospatial technology and uncrewed systems go hand in hand. Mappers use lidar sensors mounted on drones to improve accuracy and efficiency on large-scale projects. AEC professionals deploy a suite of digital tools tied to a fleet of drones to oversee progress on construction sites. Environmental scientists use drones to facilitate the collection of detailed data to monitor animal populations, assist in disaster mitigation, and assess levels of pollution. 

Because there are so many geospatial operations that rely on UAVs, the upcoming Geo Week event will present sessions showcasing innovative approaches to using drones in geospatial work. Scheduled for February 16-18, 2026, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO, the event will give geospatial professionals insights into finding the right drones, sensors, cameras, and software to best perform their missions. Moreover, Geo Week sessions will show how drones and related systems are helping professionals in fields ranging from environmental management to energy to transportation better understand the world around us and find solutions to complex problems.

Here’s a look at a few Geo Week sessions that showcase the intersection of geospatial and uncrewed technologies:

Executing Wide-Area Airborne Mapping Projects: A Practical Guide: For this session, a panel of experienced executives from various mapping companies will explore the intricacies of executing large aerial survey projects, many of which are conducted using crewed aircraft equipped with lidar systems and large-format multi-camera systems. Drawing on experiences working in fields such as infrastructure, construction, urban planning, agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, and mining, the panelist will look at both the scientific and artistic aspects of aerial surveying, highlighting best practices, technological advancements, and the challenges faced in different regions.

Imaging Resolution in Ground Sample Distance: Fact or Fiction: A panel of experts from the satellite, airborne, and UAS sectors will discuss the definition of Ground Sample Distance (GSD) and how it is applied across different modalities. They will explore whether Ground Sample Distance really defines the spatial details of imagery—and if it is even the right measure of resolution. They will also discuss issues around GSD calculations, how GSD is tested to assure that spatial detail and resolution align to specific projects, and if is there a better way to describe the true spatial detail and image content of remote sensed imagery.

Exploring UAS, Helicopter, and Ground Survey Tradeoffs: Presenting lessons learned from projects using drones, helicopters, and traditional surveying methods, this session will compare cost, accuracy, efficiency, and operational considerations for geospatial data collection. With the goal of helping attendees identify approaches that deliver the greatest value for their specific operations, panelists will review the range of options available for geospatial data collection and help surveyors and mapping professionals decide which platforms best suit their needs and goals.

Latest Breakthroughs in How We Capture, Process, and Visualize the Built World: Presented in two parts, this session will highlight the latest breakthroughs in how we capture, process, and visualize the built world—from field data collection to high-fidelity digital twins. First, “Leveraging Reality Capture Workflows Across Diverse Transportation Projects” will showcase how modern workflows combining terrestrial, UAV, mobile, and wearable lidar with SLAM mapping are improving efficiency and accuracy in transportation design and assessment. Next, “Elevating Digital Twins: High-Fidelity Reality Capture with Gaussian Splatting and Enhanced Photogrammetry” will show how Gaussian Splatting and advanced photogrammetry are redefining 3D visualization and digital twin creation.