Native Mobile App Development Using AR Technology

Augmented Reality Fieldwork by GIS Cloud

About GIS Cloud

GIS Cloud is the world’s first geographic information system in the cloud, a mapping platform consisting of multiple web and mobile apps.

Our solution is being used by more than 100.000 users across the globe, having a huge impact on communities, cities, and organizations. There are many stories we are proud to be a part of, like helping to increase the availability of clean water for citizens in remote areas, monitoring and managing water or electricity networks and road infrastructure, dealing with large fire events and workforce management, to name a few. Recently, adventurer Davor Rostuhar became the first Croat to conquer the South Pole on foot, and you could have followed his expedition on a map created in GIS Cloud.

Our customers use GIS Cloud to create maps by uploading their own spatial data into Map Editor web application (data like points – addresses, polygons – buildings or parcels, lines – streets, power lines, etc.). Users can also enter data into GIS Cloud by collecting data in the field with Mobile Data Collection app, which allows completing surveys and questionnaires linked to specific map features, storing this data in GIS Cloud, and shown on a map as points, lines or polygons. All data is synced automatically and all updates are visible in real time.

After uploading (or collecting) their data, which can consist of multiple map layers, users can add basemaps (OSM, Mapbox, Bing maps…), style their data to easily make analysis, draw conclusions from data and make complex decisions for their businesses (for example where to build the next power grid, or repair the existing one).

The most important part of GIS Cloud system is that customers can share maps and layers with their coworkers, assign tasks and manage big projects related to spatial data. This allows for a wide scale collaboration throughout teams in real-time.

We work with companies, NGOs and individuals from all around the world, across multiple industries like utilities, local governments, natural resources and energy, firefighters, police, real estate, and others.

Augmented Reality Fieldwork App

Through this project, we want to develop the Augmented Reality Fieldwork mobile app on top of the GIS Cloud platform, to power fieldwork of our customers by providing them an immersive way of interacting with their spatial data in the field.

We envisioned this product as a native mobile app built using React Native technology combined with Mapbox augmented reality component (https://www.mapbox.com/augmented-reality/) or ViroReact component (https://viromedia.com/viroreact/).

AR Fieldwork app will be integrated with the GIS Cloud platform and able to pull all the data our users store in GIS Cloud (maps and data collection projects). After logging into the app, customers will choose one of their maps or projects.

They will be asked to grant access to the phone camera, after which the app will open an AR camera view showing real-time surroundings of the customer’s location (city streets, open field, etc).

If the project opened in the AR view has some data in this exact location (which are usually shown as point features on a map) by focusing camera on a certain object (like manhole, hydrant, electric pole etc.), the app will recognize these objects as map features stored in GIS Cloud, and show its relevant information in a pop-up. This will help fieldworkers to identify features they need to work on even in low visibility conditions, or to locate underground features.

Customers will also be able to open a Map view in the app, showing all features on a map, helping them to navigate to the next item they need to inspect. This is the first phase of development of this application and the visuals of mobile screens produced for this purpose are just the first draft of this solution.

In the next phase, we plan to introduce a “Navigate to feature” option into the Map view of this app, which is already integrated into other GIS Cloud apps. We also plan to connect AR Fieldwork app with our Mobile Data Collection (MDC) app, by linking to MDC from the INSPECT button in the AR Fieldwork app. This link would only work if the project is a collection project, and it would open a survey in MDC app related to this project and feature. Fieldworkers would easily discover a specific manhole they need to inspect in the field having no doubt about the manhole ID and enter data about repairs.

With the AR Fieldwork app, we aim to introduce a new dimension into data collection and inspection fieldwork for our customers, enabling field workers to intuitively get information about data around them. It will also boost data and project management, collaboration and data sharing.

The Augmented Reality Fieldwork app integrated with GIS Cloud platform will simplify fieldwork, reduce errors and increase productivity by enabling workers in the field to map and inspect objects in conditions which reduce access to utilities like potholes, manholes, and other assets covered in snow, or detect objects in remote areas. It will open immense possibilities like discovering underground sewer infrastructure to repair leaks and control water consumption, at the same time increasing safety and optimizing decision-making.

We aim to transform fieldwork across industries by providing real-time information about the world’s most valuable assets, accessible through the phone camera.

We expect the development of the mobile app according to our specifications and design.