Event Round-up: Digital Twins and Geospatial Data
In this session, techUK explored how digital twins can leverage geospatial data to create emerging opportunities to visualise and bring to life geospatial data in new, eye-opening ways.
There is real opportunity that the integration of geospatial data within digital twins could enhance our understanding of the built environment, drive forward progress on national-level sustainability objectives, accelerate and de-risk innovation, and present the need for horizontal collaboration across market domains.
In recent years, prospects for building extensible, scalable and interoperable digital twins have improved dramatically as our ability to use models and data-centric techniques to tackle complex problems has progressed.
Speakers include:
- Seb Lessware, Chief Technology Officer, 1Spatial
- Matthew Wood, Principal Consultant, Fraser-Nash
- Dr. Chandra Taposeea-Fisher, Consultant - Earth Observation, Space, Defence and Intelligence, CGI
- Krupa Nanda Kumar, Geo information Marketing and Sales Manager, Telespazio
Presentations start 06:00
This session had five key objectives:
- How do we build a digital twin that is geospatially aware?
- What industries will benefit the most from geospatially aware digital twins?
- From sensors, IoT, LiDAR and satellite data, what technology is needed to bring together a geospatially designed digital twin?
- How can location-enabled ‘digital twins’ using sensor technology and advanced data analysis improve the resilience of our infrastructure?
- How can decision-makers use geospatial data to ensure that sustainability is at the core of both physical infrastructure and digital twins?
Seb Lessware kicked-off the session by defining what data and assets are needed for a digital twins, including sensor data and reference data, and underlying that automation in key. Seb shared examples of digital twins and geospatial data converging, such as the use of 3D mapping for buildings (to assess environmental impact). Here, 1Spatial highlighted why clarity in data infrastructure is important, and showed how they have worked to bring 2D and 3D data sets together to be appropriate for effective, cross-functional digital twinning.
Next up, Matthew Wood from Frazer-Nash presented his thoughts on ontologies and graph technologies for digital twins. Matthew defined digital twins as a computer-based model that reflects reality and can be used for strategy and planning, managing assets, or assurance. It ultimately is a decision-making tool that will enhance the ability of humans to engage with the real world.
Throughout Matthew’s talk, he demonstrated that the use of ontologies can help organisations to describe data, creating a functional independence of information. Ontologies help to harmonise different data sources by showing properties and the relations between them. Frazer- Nash highlights best practice on ‘Ontology Standards’ (which can be found on slide 35.)
Following Seb, Dr. Chandra Taposeea-Fisher from CGI Ltd (UK) brought us an interesting use case from the European Space Agency project on digital twins, specifically regarding the European Comission’s Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative. Through this use case, Dr. Taposeea-Fisher showcased the challenges of model integration and driving innovation through digital twins, by both geospatial data and other emerging technologies such as AI. The challenges cited included scalability, quality and validation of data, and rate of progress. We look forward to learning more about CGI’s work with ESA over the next 12 months.
Kupra Kumar from Telespazio delivered the final presentation of the webinar, who discussed the diversity and versatility of earth observation technologies for digital twins. Krupa emphasised that the nine threat areas identified in the Geospatial Commission’s 2020-2025 Strategy all benefit from Earth observation, alluding to eye-catching examples such as predictive digital twins in infrastructure and mobility. Through diving into different use cases, Krupa emphasised the breadth to opportunities for geospatial data and digital twins over the coming years.
Thank you to all of our speakers who participated in this webinar. We will be continuing with techUK’s Geospatial Data campaign in 2021. If you would like to learn more, please do reach out to Laura Foster or Tom Henderson below!
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
Laura advocates for better emerging technology policy in the UK, including quantum, future of compute technologies, semiconductors, digital ID and more. Working alongside techUK members and UK Government she champions long-term, cohesive, and sustainable investment that will ensure the UK can commercialise future science and technology research. Laura leads a high-performing team at techUK, as well as publishing several reports on these topics herself, and being a regular speaker at events.
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer exploring adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University and is a Cambridge Policy Fellow. Outside of work she loves reading, writing and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's Emerging Technology and Innovation activity, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene key stakeholders, work through key challenges and opportunities for industry, showcase best practice, and shape Government's thinking around future technologies, sectors and industries.
Focus areas include Robotics, Immersive, Web3, Metaverse, Photonics, Space, Gaming, Creative, Innovation policy, university spin-outs, and Futures & Horizon Scanning.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Ella Shuter
Ella Shuter
Ella joined techUK in July 2025 as Junior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies.
In her role, Ella supports the design and delivery of four to six-month sprint campaigns. These identify emerging technologies of interest to members and Government, share industry best practice, champion relevant sectors and industries across the UK, and work through key challenges and opportunities to drive the development, application and commercialisation of these technologies.
Before joining techUK, Ella completed an internship at Digital Catapult, supporting across public affairs, policy and the organisation's programmes. She also has experience working in an MP's Parliamentary and Constituency Office.
Ella holds a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bristol.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-shuter-264158244/
Elis Thomas
Elis Thomas
Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on Semiconductors and Digital ID.
He previously worked at an advocacy group for tech startups, with a regional focus on Wales. This involved policy research on innovation, skills and access to finance.
Elis has a Degree in History, and a Masters in Politics and International Relations from the University of Winchester, with a focus on the digitalisation and gamification of armed conflicts.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/elis-thomas-49a1aa1a1/