Mobile mapping is evolving quickly, and this roundtable focuses on the specific changes reshaping how these systems are designed, deployed, and used today. Participants will discuss how mobile mapping systems are becoming smaller, more flexible, and easier to deploy across different platforms while still delivering survey-grade accuracy and high-quality point clouds. At the same time, advances in laser scanner performance are increasing point density, accuracy, and capture speed, which is expanding what mobile mapping can be used for beyond traditional corridor mapping.
The discussion will center on how these technical shifts are changing real-world workflows: what new applications are now feasible, where compact systems are outperforming larger setups, and where high-end systems still provide clear advantages. Attendees will compare different mobile mapping approaches to understand how system design choices impact point cloud characteristics, accuracy, efficiency, and downstream use in GIS, design, and digital twin environments.
This roundtable is intended for surveyors, geospatial data producers, infrastructure and DOT professionals, AEC and engineering teams, and technical decision-makers who want a clearer picture of where mobile mapping is headed, what tradeoffs exist between different system types, and how to choose the right solution for specific applications. The session is designed as a practitioner-driven conversation about what’s working, what’s changing, and what to watch next in mobile mapping.
