For decades, the world beneath our feet has been a complex, often invisible, web of critical infrastructure. For surveyors, engineers, and construction crews, identifying the precise location of underground utilities has been a painstaking process, fraught with challenges and risks. Traditional Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology, while powerful, often produces complex data that requires hours of expert analysis. But what if that entire process could be automated, enhanced, and simplified? That's the promise of AiMaps 2.0, the groundbreaking new software from IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon.

AiMaps 2.0 isn't just an update; it's a paradigm shift. By pioneering the use of Artificial Intelligence in underground utility detection, this cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution is setting a new standard for productivity, accuracy, and cost-efficiency in the industry. AiMaps transforms raw data into actionable insights. Source: IDS GeoRadar.

The Core Problem: The Complexity of GPR Data

Ground Penetrating Radar is an indispensable tool for non-intrusive subsurface investigation. It sends radar pulses into the ground and records the reflections to create a picture of what lies beneath. However, interpreting these reflections—known as radargrams—is as much an art as it is a science. An experienced analyst must distinguish between pipes, cables, rocks, soil layers, and other anomalies. This process is:

·          Time-Consuming: Post-processing GPR data can take hours, creating a significant bottleneck in project timelines.

·          Expert-Dependent: It requires highly trained professionals, whose expertise is a scarce and valuable resource.

·          Prone to Interpretation Errors: The complexity of the data can lead to subjective interpretations, potentially resulting in costly mistakes during excavation.

This is precisely where AiMaps 2.0 steps in, leveraging cutting-edge technology to automate and elevate this critical task.

Enter AiMaps 2.0: AI-Powered Clarity and Speed

At its heart, AiMaps 2.0 is a deep learning solution designed to process GPR data with unprecedented efficiency. According to information from IDS GeoRadar's official product page, the software uses sophisticated AI algorithms to automatically analyze radar data, identify patterns indicative of utilities, and present a clean, uncluttered view of the subsurface network.

In a video introducing the software, Davide Morandi, Director of GPR Product Management at IDS GeoRadar, explains that the goal is to "improve data quality and productivity in data analysis." The software achieves this by turning raw, noisy data into a clear, enhanced tomography of the utility network.

"The underground utility analysis and extraction process can be optimized with up to 70% cost savings."

– IDS GeoRadar

This isn't just a marginal improvement. A potential 70% reduction in analysis and extraction costs represents a monumental leap forward, freeing up resources and accelerating project delivery from planning to execution.

From Raw Data to Actionable Map: The AiMaps Process

The magic of AiMaps is best understood visually. The software takes the dense, parallel lines of a GPR survey and, through its AI engine, highlights the linear features that represent pipes and cables. The process, as demonstrated in IDS GeoRadar's materials, shows a transformation from a confusing collection of anomalies to a clear, intuitive map of the underground infrastructure.

This automated interpretation not only saves time but also enhances detection capabilities. The AI can identify subtle patterns that a human eye might miss, "maximizing underground utility detection capability" and ensuring a more comprehensive survey.

Key Features and Benefits: A Four-Pillar Advantage

The power of AiMaps 2.0 is built on four key pillars, as outlined in the official product documentation.

The Four Pillars of AiMaps 2.0

·          Raising Productivity: By automating the most labor-intensive parts of data analysis, AiMaps drastically reduces the time and workload for professionals. This can lead to overall productivity gains of up to 50%, according to anews release from April 2025.

·          Advanced Cloud Solution: AiMaps is a fully cloud-based SaaS platform. It leverages Hexagon’s powerfulHxDR platformfor reality capture, which provides the immense computational power needed for deep learning algorithms to run quickly and efficiently. This means users can process vast datasets without needing high-end local hardware.

·          Overcoming Complexity: Perhaps one of its most significant benefits is democratization. With its intuitive interface and automated processing, AiMaps makes advanced GPR technology "approachable for non-experienced users." This lowers the barrier to entry, allowing more team members to perform high-level data interpretation.

·          Full Integration: AiMaps 2.0 is not a standalone island. It is fully integrated withIQMaps, IDS GeoRadar's established post-processing software. This ensures a seamless workflow for users already within the Hexagon and IDS GeoRadar ecosystem, allowing them to combine the power of AI with advanced manual analysis tools when needed.

An Expanding Ecosystem: Hardware and Software Synergy

The launch of AiMaps 2.0 also brings an expanded range of supported GPR systems. While initially focused on specific models, the platform now supports data from a wider array of IDS GeoRadar's industry-leading hardware, including:

·          Stream DP

·          Stream UP

·          Stream C

This expanded compatibility, particularly with the revolutionary multi-channelStream DP, creates a "power duo" for utility detection. As noted in aLeica Geosystems post, the combination of Stream DP's deep, precise radar data acquisition with AiMaps 2.0's AI-powered cloud processing delivers unmatched clarity and efficiency.

The Broader Impact: Shaping the Future of Construction and Surveying

The introduction of AI-driven tools like AiMaps 2.0 is more than just a technological advancement; it's a catalyst for change across the entire construction and utility management landscape. By providing faster, more reliable, and more accessible subsurface data, AiMaps helps to:

·          Reduce Excavation Risks: Accurate mapping prevents accidental utility strikes, which are dangerous, costly, and cause significant service disruptions.

·          Improve Project Planning: With a clear digital twin of underground infrastructure, planners can design projects more effectively and make cost-effective decisions before breaking ground.

·          Enhance Asset Management: Utility companies can maintain a more accurate and up-to-date digital record of their assets, improving maintenance and long-term planning.

As the global Ground Penetrating Radar market continues to grow, driven by infrastructure development and the need for safer construction practices, AI-enabled technologies are becoming a key driver of market growth. AiMaps 2.0 places IDS GeoRadar and Hexagon at the forefront of this evolution.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to See the Unseen

AiMaps 2.0 is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence. By tackling the most challenging aspect of GPR analysis—data interpretation—IDS GeoRadar has created a tool that not only boosts productivity and cuts costs but also makes a complex technology accessible to a wider audience. It represents a significant step towards a future where the invisible world beneath our cities is mapped with clarity and precision, enabling safer, smarter, and more efficient development for everyone.

For any organization involved in subsurface investigation, AiMaps 2.0 is not just a tool to consider; it's a glimpse into the future of the industry.

© 2025 Bigman Geophysical. All rights reserved.

Information sourced from IDS GeoRadar, Hexagon, and publicly available materials. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

References

[1]IDS GeoRadar launches AiMaps 2.0 - next-gen SaaS solution ... https://idsgeoradar.com/about-us/news-overview/2025/04/ids-georadar-launches-aimaps-2-0

[2]AiMaps 2.0 - IDS GeoRadar https://idsgeoradar.com/products/software/aimaps

[3]Ai.Maps 2.0 + Stream DP: The Power Duo for Utility Detection https://www.linkedin.com/posts/leica-geosystems_utilitydetection-aimaps-streamdp-activity-7344002253990572032-5HIo

[4]HxDR - Manage Digital Twins https://hxdr.com/

[5]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49L70j3fxl4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49L70j3fxl4

[6]IDS GeoRadar: Products and solutions for Geophysical, Mining, Civil ... https://idsgeoradar.com/