Category: Urban Planning

Namaste Yogis.   Welcome to the Blockchain & AI Forum, where your technology questions are answered!   Here no question is mundane.  As a bonus, a proverb is also included.  Today’s question was submitted by Cristina from Bucharest.  Cristina asks if are there artificial intelligence (AI) 3D global mapping companies in Romania?

Cristina, you came to the right place. The answer is yes, Romania does have such a company—it’s called Neotech.  https://www.neotechai.com/  I’ll share their fascinating story beginning with the Neotech team, use case examples, and a word about the tech in Neotech. During my research I discovered Neotech provides city planners an immensely valuable service; I was a city planner for numerous years and that made the question particularly intriguing. 

Team Neotech.  Although Neotech consists of only 13 staff members and 4 advisors, don’t underestimate this powerhouse team.  Let’s start with Neotech founder, Mr. Doru Borsan and the co-founder Christian Meier.  Doru’s 3,000 followers on LinkedIn understand Mr. Borsan is an accomplished thought leader in his field.  And, Christian Meier is equally recognized among his peers for technological expertise.  But resumes only account for a fraction of the Neotech difference. 

City Planning Family Neotech is Calling:  What truly matters is what Neotech produces, especially to city planners, but also public works departments, and architectural review boards, city councils, etc.   With Neotech Smart City technologies, physical structures and assets can be scanned and converted into detailed 3D point-cloud models.  Of what value is this you ask?  As a former city planner, I say plenty.  Let’s take a very common situation where this service would be welcomed. 

Suppose a real estate developer proposed to demolish several small existing structures in a highly urbanized neighborhood and replace them with multiple residential towers.  Numerous interested parties will want to comprehend the implications on the urban form.  For example, neighbors at a city council meeting may ask how the buildings affect shade, wind, vistas, etc.  With Neotech city planners could create a digital twin of the project.  And, with the immersive technology available with Neotech, neighbors, architectural review boards, city councils, etc. would get a realistic experience of walking the project, and viewing it from every angle, of “being in the project”, rather than static drawings or pictures. 

The Tech in Neotech.  Neotech is high tech.  It’s unfortunate Neotech wasn’t available when I was a practicing city planner.  I sure could have used their data capturing tech, including advanced scanning, high resolution cameras, drones and scanner, some of which are AI aided to generate ultra-high-quality imagines.  At HUD we said, Leave No Neighborhood behind. At Neotech they say leave no detail behind! 

With the data firmly in hand, Neotech magic goes into second gear.  Their advanced system converts the data into detailed point cloud models.  The models are literally made of millions and millions of data points producing precise three-dimensional renditions.  Planners can display these incredibly accurate models, during public hearings for example as part of the citizen participation process.  By the way, the models have utility beyond public hearings.  For instance, users can integrate the 3D models in video games, or music videos, virtual reality settings, etc.

Last, and as expected, Neotech fully integrates artificial intelligence.  No surprise.  One example is the use of AI to detect and correct imperfections.  Another is to enhance the accuracy of the point clouds.  And, Neotech uses AI to manage the mountain of data it produces when creating models. 

Time for a proverb from Romania: “water passes but the stone remains.”

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson