Overview

The Geomatics Division develops what is understood as the “Geomatics discipline”, that is to say, a variety of techniques that integrate sensors that capture data and images (basically cameras and other remote sensors) with methods for the treatment, analysis, interpretation, diffusion and storage of geographic information. It connects various traditional disciplines, like geodesy or cartography with more recently developed fields like remote sensing, satellite navigation and latest information and communication technologies. As a result, geomatics allows us today to obtain information about the Earth and her atmosphere globally and within very short time.

The Geomatics Division centres its activities in two main areas: the area of positioning and navigation, focused on techniques that allow the improvement of precision, and the area of remote sensing, which means Earth observation through images and data collected by sensors onboard of satellites and aircrafts, and ground-based sensors.

Recently started projects include the research of applications of the European satellite positioning system Galileo for patients affected with the Alzheimer’s disease, and for transport management systems that help reduce pollution. From the remote sensing point of view we develop knowledge for the acquisition of precise geoinformation from Unmaned Airborne Vehicles (UAVs) to support the management of infrastructures and study land deformation and subsidence risks in urban and tunnel construction from satellite sensors.

The research activities in the Geomatics Division are structured in two Departments: