Here in Tokyo, as the wave of Digital Transformation (DX) sweeps across every sector of society, the fusion of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become commonplace.
SuperMap, a global GIS vendor, was an early pioneer in recognizing the potential of this "Geospatial AI" (commonly known as GeoAI) and has been consistently investing in its research and development for over a decade.
In this article, we will explore the Geospatial AI technology framework that SuperMap has built and how it contributes to solving the societal challenges we face.
ⅠA Decade of SuperMap: A Consistent Path to Geospatial Intelligence
SuperMap's commitment to AI GIS is not a recent response to the AI boom; it is rooted in a long-term vision.
① 2014: The Conceptualization Phase
Even before "AI" became a household term, SuperMap proposed the concept of "Geospatial Intelligence" (GI) and began exploring the technology. This marked the origin of its current philosophy: to not merely display information on a map, but to extract "geospatial intelligence" from geospatial data.
② 2018–2019: The Implementation Phase
AI technology was fully integrated into the core of GIS products. SuperMap began offering intelligent solutions by introducing AI into fields such as spatial and image analysis.
③ 2024: The Foundation Building Phase
All previously developed AI-related functions were consolidated into a technology foundation called "SuperMap AIF (AI Foundation)." This allows all SuperMap products to share a common, powerful set of AI capabilities.
④ 2025: A Leap into a New Era
This year, SuperMap released "SuperMap AgentX Server," introducing a completely new paradigm: the "Spatial Agent," which allows users to operate GIS with natural language. This has opened the door to an era where anyone, not just experts, can unlock the power of geospatial intelligence.
This consistent journey demonstrates SuperMap's unwavering, long-term investment driven by the firm belief that the fusion of geospatial information and AI is the future of GIS.
Ⅱ Geospatial AI: Contributing to Solutions for Japan's Challenges
The Geospatial AI technology that SuperMap has refined serves as a powerful tool for solving the complex societal challenges we face in Japan, such as disaster prevention, aging infrastructure, and labor shortages.
1. Disaster Prevention and National Resilience
In the face of increasingly severe natural disasters, AI serves as the "eyes" and "brain" for minimizing damage.
Risk Prediction: By learning from historical disaster data, topography, and meteorological data, AI can predict areas at high risk of landslides and flooding with greater accuracy.
Real-time Damage Assessment: After a disaster strikes, AI automatically analyzes images captured by drones and satellites to identify building damage and the extent of inundated areas. This supports the rapid formulation of rescue operations and recovery plans.
2. Social Infrastructure and Construction DX
The deterioration of infrastructure built during Japan's period of high economic growth is a pressing issue that cannot be ignored.
Automation of Inspection and Maintenance: AI dramatically improves the efficiency of inspection work by automatically detecting minute cracks in bridges and tunnels from images or by identifying deteriorated sections of roads.
High-Precision Predictive Modeling: Similar to the ground assessment prediction model by Japan Home Shield Inc., AI can be trained on vast amounts of nationwide ground survey data to accurately predict ground conditions at unknown locations. This promotes Construction DX and contributes to building safer homes.
3. Area Marketing and Real Estate
In a rapidly changing market, GeoAI supports data-driven decision-making.
High-Precision Trade Area Analysis: AI comprehensively analyzes human mobility data, demographics, and competitor information to predict sales for new store openings, thereby increasing the probability of business success.
Ⅲ Conclusion
The Geospatial AI technology that SuperMap has built over the past decade is more than just an addition of features. It is the embodiment of a philosophy to evolve GIS from a tool exclusive to experts into a "Geospatial Intelligence Platform" from which everyone in society can benefit.
Disaster prevention, infrastructure, business—many of the various challenges facing Japanese society are deeply connected to "place." Geospatial AI will be our most powerful partner in solving these complex challenges and building a safer, more sustainable future.
Source:
SuperMap Japan: https://www.supermap.jp/
SuperMap Japan Blog: https://supermap-japan.blogspot.com/
