What Lies Beneath with Nick Hearn - The pressing issue of accurately documenting underground infrastructure
Dive deep into the unseen world beneath our feet in the latest episode of Sight Scene! We're joined by Nick Hearn, Managing Director of Reveal, a global technology company that's revolutionizing how we understand and manage underground infrastructure data.
Key takeaways from this insightful conversation:
The Hidden Risks: Discover the immense financial and human costs associated with unknown or inaccurately mapped underground utilities. Did you know a utility is struck every 60 seconds in the US during projects?
Innovation from Isolation: Learn how New Zealand's unique geography and culture of innovation have made it a hub for geospatial technology, leading to solutions for critical infrastructure challenges.
The Problem with "As-Builts": We discuss why traditional "as-built" drawings are often unreliable (sometimes only 25% geospatially accurate!) and the critical need for better data capture.
Reveal's Game-Changing Approach: Nick explains how Reveal is transforming underground mapping by combining various data sources like lidar, photogrammetry, and ground-penetrating radar with AI to create a "unified utility model" – a 3D digital twin of what lies beneath.
Future of Infrastructure: The conversation highlights the shift towards proactive risk management in pre-design phases, exemplified by partnerships like Reveal's work with "Before You Dig Australia," which achieved a 10x improvement in digitizing existing records.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in construction, engineering, urban planning, or interested in how technology is making our cities safer and more resilient!
Tune in now and enjoy the episode!
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Democratizing Geospatial Data for Environmental Impact With Paul Mead of GeoNadir
Prepare to dive deep into the evolving world of geospatial technology with Paul Mead of GeoNadir. Paul offers a unique perspective on geospatial innovation, particularly from an environmental standpoint, shaped by Australia's expansive and diverse geography.
In this episode, we delve into:
* **GeoNadir's Approach:** Discover how GeoNadir is simplifying access to drone and satellite data, streamlining the process of data management, analysis, and sharing for improved decision-making. Paul highlights that the environment is not merely a sector but the "stage on which everything else happens," emphasizing the crucial interaction between developed and natural landscapes.
* **Collaborative Mapping:** Learn about GeoNadir's strength in "collaborative mapping," enabling effortless sharing and real-time teamwork on large datasets in the cloud – as simple as sharing a Google Doc.
* **The Evolution of GIS (GeoAI):** Paul discusses the promising future of conversational AI for geospatial data, where users can interact with models for faster insights, integrate drone and satellite data for enhanced accuracy, and even receive suggestions on where to acquire new data.
* **Fostering Future Talent:** Explore the impactful "She Maps" program, co-founded by Dr. Karen Joyce, which utilizes micro-drones to engage thousands of students globally in geospatial science, building confidence and connecting them with industry professionals.
This insightful discussion offers a deeper understanding of geospatial technology and its expanding role in environmental stewardship and education.
#Geospatial #GIS #Drones #SatelliteData #EnvironmentalScience #Innovation #GeoNadir #SheMaps #AI #TechPodcast #SiteAndScene #RemoteSensing #STEMEducation #PropTech #ConstructionTech
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S1E11 - Pioneering 3D Design and Geospatial Visualization with Arash Keissami
In this episode, we dive deep with Arash Keissami, co-founder of Nira, tracing his journey from an 8-year-old programming enthusiast to a pioneer in 3D geospatial visualization.
Arash’s story is a journey through the evolution of 3D technology itself — from his early days in video game development (hello, PlanetSide! 👋) to tackling the massive challenges of 3D data in AEC and GIS. He shares how Nira emerged from these experiences, evolving from game engines to cutting-edge visualization tools.
We explore how Nira's breakthrough technology transforms massive 3D datasets from a frustrating "spinning wheel of death" into fast, secure, and scalable visualization.
But it’s not just about the tech. Arash reveals how Nira’s focus shifted to AEC and GIS, guided by direct feedback from users, and a commitment to reliability over feature bloat. We also discuss the future, with emerging tech like Gaussian splats and their potential impact on point clouds and mesh models.
Arash's journey is a masterclass in turning passion into innovation, overcoming technical barriers, and building a user-focused platform.
Don’t miss this episode — a must-listen for anyone interested in the past, present, and future of 3D technology.
🎧 Listen now!
#GIS #AEC #RealityCapture #3DModeling #Innovation #Podcast #SightAndScene #TechLeadership #GeospatialData #3DVisualization
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S1E10 - Joe Heaney on Environmental Engineering, GIS, and Mentorship
On the latest episode of Sight and Scene, we sat down with Joe Heaney, PE and Principal at Walden Environmental Engineering. Joe’s path through the engineering disciplines to founding Walden in 1995 is a case study in integrity-driven innovation and adaptability.
We explore:
The evolution of environmental engineering—spanning water, wastewater, hazardous waste, and permitting—and the regulatory frameworks shaping the industry.
How Walden, a New York based firm, was ahead of its time in adopting GIS and 3D data integration to improve environmental data management, asset tracking, and infrastructure planning.
The overlooked potential of reality capture for underground utilities, and how shrinking costs may soon make 3D as-builts an industry standard.
The vital role of mentorship, practical experience, and ethics in shaping the next generation of engineers.
Why Joe believes stewardship, not short-term gains, should drive infrastructure investment.
Joe’s insights underscore the power of curiosity, leadership, and long-term thinking in solving today’s environmental challenges. This is particularly impactful to younger listeners who are considering an engineering path for their career.
🎧 Listen now and get inspired to rethink the role of technology, education, and ethics in shaping a more resilient built world.
#EnvironmentalEngineering #GIS #RealityCapture #Infrastructure #Mentorship #EngineeringLeadership #Sustainability #AEC #SightAndScene
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S1E9 - Precision + Perspective: Russ Hall on Reality Capture Done Right
Join us and Russ Hall of Langan Engineering—licensed surveyor, reality capture expert, and regular on The Geoholics podcast.
We go deep into the evolving landscape of reality capture in AEC and surveying. Russ shares practical insights from 20+ years in the field, including:
🚧 How Langan uses multi-sensor fusion on their projects
📐 Why licensed surveyors are critical for capture workflows—control, error management, and liability
💻 Game-changing tools like TopoDOT and Leica 3DR
📊 The rise of point cloud viewers and improved data accessibility
🤖 The future of AI in automated feature extraction
📉 Workforce shortages and ideas like tiered licensing and early education
📜 Regulatory shifts, ASPRS involvement, and raising the bar for geospatial services
We cover lots of ground in this episode so tune in and take notes.
🎧 Listen now
#RealityCapture #LaserScanning #Geospatial #AEC #Surveying #ConstructionTech #GIS #LanganEngineering #Geoholics #TopoDOT #Leica3DR #AI #ASPRS #WorkforceDevelopment #ProfessionalPractice
At Site and Scene, co-hosts Mike Liggett and Scott Harrigan feature the innovators, disruptors, and changemakers using reality capture technology to drive real impact. These are the people who saw a problem, challenged the status quo, and took action—whether restoring ecosystems, improving resilience, or transforming infrastructure. They bring a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship to their work, leveraging technologies like drones, laser scanning, GIS, and mapping to create meaningful change. More than just experts, they are storytellers—sharing their journeys and the “why” behind their work. Our mission is to amplify their voices, educate, and inspire others to push boundaries and take action.
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