World's most precise digital 3D map of the entire planet

NTT DATA Corporation and the Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC) have jointly begun a "Distribution Service for a Digital 3D Map of the Entire World" that utilizes satellite images. This service uses approximately 3 million satellite images captured by the Advanced Land Observing Satellite "DAICHI" (ALOS)*1 of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and distributes the world's most precise digital 3D map*2, covering the land of the entire world. The merit of this digital 3D map that has begun distribution is that since it expresses the undulations of the land over the entire world using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM)*3 with 5-meter resolution in a world first, it can be utilized for a wide variety of purposes, such as the development of maps for emerging nations, the prediction of damage from natural disasters, surveys for water resources, and more. Starting in March of 2014, this will be distributed sequentially starting in areas that have been developed, and by March of 2016, the map of the entire world is scheduled to be completed. Through this project, both companies will work toward the increased usage of geospatial information, the creation of markets, and the promotion of related industries.

Background

The demand for geospatial information is rising around the world for purposes such as the rapidly progressing development of infrastructure in emerging nations in areas such as Asia and Africa, as well as countermeasures for frequently occurring natural disasters. 3D maps are the contents that serve as the foundation for geospatial information development, but until now, surveys using aircrafts and manpower have been necessary for the development of 3D maps, and constraints on cost and time have limited the areas in which they were developed.

NTT DATA has been contracted by JAXA for a project in which they will conduct the development of a 3D map of the entire world that utilizes satellite images from the Advanced Land Observing Satellite "DAICHI" (ALOS) and does not use resources such as aircrafts or manpower. They have been conducting development of the 3D map since 2014. Regarding the 3D map that NTT DATA has been contracted to develop, as NTT DATA will receive a sales license from JAXA, it has been decided that it will conduct a "Distribution Service for a Digital 3D Map of the Entire World."

NTT DATA will leverage its rich track record of processing large quantities of satellite images and conducting geospatial information services and be in charge of creating the 3D map and providing the service. RESTEC will leverage the advanced satellite image analysis technology and usage spreading experience that it possesses, and will be in charge of 3D map creation support, as well as promoting the spread of usage.

The World's Most Precise 3D Map

In a world first, this map can express the undulations of land around the world with 5-meter resolution and a height accuracy of 5 meters. It can be applied for solutions in a broad range of fields, including the development of infrastructure in emerging nations, countermeasures for natural disasters that frequently occur in the world (such as floods), surveys of resource areas, and responses to issues such as water resource problems.

Through this project, a 3D map of the entire world will be developed by utilizing Japan's satellite images, and the service will be provided extensively both inside and outside of Japan.

Usage Purposes

The broad range of usage purposes below are envisaged for the high-precision 3D map.

Development of Infrastructure

• The purpose of developing base map in areas such as emerging nations
• Construction planning for infrastructure facilities
• Plan development for agricultural irrigation

Disaster Prevention

• The identifying areas at risk of disasters such as flooding, landslides, tsunamis, lava flows and pyroclastic flows
• The evaluation of risks regarding such events as rises in sea levels and ice glacier retreats due to changes in climate

Resource Surveys

• The identification of promising areas for natural resource investigations
• Water resource and underground water surveys

Traffic

• Simulations for aircraft operations
• Route selection for navigation

Radio Communication

• Plan development for such purposes as the grasping of areas that present an impediment to radio communication
• Location correction through remote sensing data

Other Purposes

• Computer graphics and video production
• The production of educational teaching materials for subjects such as science, geography, and disaster prevention

Future Plans

NTT DATA and RESTEC will work toward the increased usage of geospatial information, the creation of markets, and the promotion of related industries. Through coordination including other geospatial information content and systems, they will aim for the creation of new markets and new services through the provision of the 3D map as a service with even more added value.

Provided by NTT Data