The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 16th the 'Second Long-Term Roadmap for Spatial Information Technology Development (R&D) 2025-2034' for future industries utilizing spatial information.

2025–2034 spatial information research and development (R&D) roadmap. /Courtesy of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

This roadmap aims for spatial information technology development that is 'faster and more accurate,' 'accessible to everyone,' and 'connected to various industries.' It presents future industries such as autonomous driving, urban air mobility (UAM), and smart cities.

The government plans to invest 360 billion won through the spatial information research and development roadmap over the next 10 years, starting next year and continuing until 2034.

First, the goal is to develop world-class indoor and outdoor positioning technologies. By developing technology that reduces GPS errors from meter-level to centimeter-level in spaces like subway stations, large shopping malls, and tunnels, navigation will be supported without interruption, providing accurate directions both indoors and outdoors.

In the future, autonomous vehicles will enable uninterrupted route searching at tunnel forks and underground passages. Logistics robots will also be able to identify precise locations indoors and operate efficiently, leading to faster logistics and delivery.

3D automatic production technology will also be developed. This technology will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically create and manage three-dimensional data of spatial information, which was previously managed manually for several months to over a year, from building exteriors to interior spaces.

Development will also begin on AI-based encryption technology. This encryption technology will alleviate concerns regarding personal information and data leakage when utilizing digital twin technology. Through this, precise spatial information can be used safely.

By combining public and private data, improved analysis and simulation services will be designed. The plan is to develop technology that allows anyone to easily access and share spatial information, regardless of whether it is public or private.

Previously, only fixed information could be verified. However, following technology development, a next-generation interactive platform that analyzes real-time data desired by users will be implemented to provide tailored results. This will enable practical use of useful information in real life, such as analyzing housing locations needed by new users in urban areas or predicting traffic congestion in desired regions.

The spatial range will expand to a three-dimensional system that encompasses not only ground and underground but also indoor and aerial settings, moving beyond the existing two-dimensional location-based system. It is expected to establish the foundation for advanced technologies, including urban air mobility (UAM), drones, and robots, to operate reliably. Experiences such as receiving deliveries by drone in urban airspace or smart factories operated by robots performing precise actions are expected to become a reality.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport noted that it has adjusted and reflected the status of domestic and international technologies in the research and development plans every year as part of the roadmap, aiming to respond flexibly to rapidly changing technological trends and industry demands.

The policy aims to allow private proposal-based participation beyond the existing methods of researchers participating in technology development. Plans are in place to assist in immediate commercialization or securing global competitiveness following technology development.

Participation and cooperation in technological development in various land and transportation fields, including autonomous driving, logistics robotics, UAM, drones, smart buildings, construction safety, and smart cities, will be promoted. Efforts will also be made to share outcomes from joint technology development across different departments by developing various equipment and components like satellites, identifying applications for technology, and establishing bases for technology advancement and commercialization.

Park Geon-su, head of the National Land Information Policy Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, 'Spatial information innovative technology will be used in various fields such as efficient land management, disaster response, and environmental protection,' and added, 'We will do our best to contribute to the advancement of the spatial information industry and the enhancement of national competitiveness.'