NTT DATA and RESTEC Launch AW3D Full Global 3D Map with 2.5-meter Definition

Tokyo, July 1, 2019 – NTT DATA, a leading IT services provider, and Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC), the heart of the remote sensing industry, announced today that they have begun selling AW3D Standard (2.5m resolution), a highly precise, pre-produced digital-elevation-model 3D map of the world. AW3D Standard, which first launched with five-meter resolution in 2014, is currently used in more than 115 countries.

This latest version of AW3D Standard, which offers 2.5-meter resolution for extra-detailed expression of cities and terrain, will be utilized for a wide variety of global applications. NTT DATA and RESTEC will use AW3D Standard (2.5m resolution) to provide clients with value-added information for urban planning, disaster-damage forecasting, and much more, including customized maps for specific locations and purposes.

Going forward, AW3D will continue to be upgraded and integrated with geospatial-information systems of other partners. The AW3D lineup also includes AW3D Enhanced, AW3D Ortho Imagery, AW3D Building, AW3D Telecom and AW3D Airport, in addition to AW3D Standard. NTT DATA and RESTEC are targeting total AW3D sales of 5 billion yen (USD 46.2 million) in fiscal 2022.

About AW3D Standard (2.5m resolution)

This latest version of AW3D Standard digital 3D maps offers 2.5m resolution. The mapping process uses a floating-point format for height values to achieve highly accurate representations of terrain, including smooth expressions of topography. Compared to 5m resolution, 2.5m resolution offers:

• Fine expression of terrain undulations
• Expression of coastal landfills, narrow rivers and waterways
• Urban structures such as buildings and overpasses
• Flat structures such as roads

Katsuichi Sonoda, Senior Vice President and Head of NTT DATA’s Social Infrastructure Solution Sector, said: “3D maps are a foundation in many different fields. This latest version of AW3D Standard, which is believed to be the world’s highest-definition digital map covering the entire globe, presents views of the world with unprecedented clarity. We have been working to apply its datasets in broader fields, so we are confident that this latest version will find broad applications in diverse industries and government-level projects.”

Kaname Ikeda, President of RESTEC said: “AW3D Standard (2.5m resolution) represents a significant step forward in the innovative use of Japan's cutting-edge space technology. This latest version will enable companies, organizations and governments to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for industry, innovation and infrastructure (Goal 9), sustainable cities (Goal 11), climate action (Goal 13) and goal partnership (Goal 17).”

Usage examples

AW3D Standard (2.5m resolution) supports very accurate simulations and analyses for urban planning and natural-disaster prediction. Offering accuracy equivalent to a map scale of 1/25,000, AW3D Standard (2.5m resolution) is suitable for use as core map information by national governments. Other usage examples include:

Climate change
Flood and storm surge damage analysis & creation of hazard maps
Investigations of impact of sea level rise
Creation of landslide disaster hazard maps

Urban planning
Creation of topographic maps on a national scale
Development of urban planning master plans
Planning construction sites for large-scale infrastructure and routes

Health, water and sanitation
Watershed analysis
Ground water research by topographical analysis and well-drilling site selection
Identification of virus-infection routes through water-flow analysis

Innovation
Planning flight plans for aircraft, helicopters and drones
Enhancement of car navigation
Wireless network design simulations for 5G
Space registration and improvement of positional accuracy for other satellite imaginary

Marine and land resources
Selection of promising areas for mine development
Geothermal energy research

Energy
Simulation of suitable sites for wind and solar power generation

Education
Production of videos using computer graphics
Production of education materials for geography and disaster prevention

About AW3D

NTT DATA and RESTEC Japan introduced the world’s first digital-elevation-model (DEM) 3D maps with five-meter resolution in February 2014. Created from some three million satellite images taken with the DAICHI Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS)* of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the digital 3D maps express the topography of the entire world.

Current AW3D developmental efforts include extracting information with artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to enable customers to shorten work schedules and lower costs.

AW3D has been used in over 900 projects in more than 115 nations, mainly emerging countries, helping to meet needs related to infrastructure, disaster prevention, etc. for economic development and societal progress. Visit our website for more information.

About Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC)

RESTEC has been providing services on reception, processing, and analyzing of satellite earth observation for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and domestic and internal users for more than 40 years. We continue to develop and disseminate remote sensing technology to contribute to economic growth and social development. For more information, visit our website.

*Launched from Japan in 2006 and operational for five years, the satellite was used for high-definition global observations, supporting the creation and updating of maps, analysis of disaster scenarios, regional environmental observation and more. A panchromatic remote-sensing instrument for stereo mapping (PRISM) took some 6.5 million images, of which about three million could be used due to minimal cloud coverage.

AW3D is a registered trademark of NTT DATA and RESTEC in Japan, and a registered trademark of NTT DATA in Europe (EUTM) and the United States. Other product names, company names and corporate names are their trademarks or registered trademarks.