Driving smart, sustainable infrastructure through cutting-edge geospatial technologies, Matrix Geo Solutions has emerged as a leading consultancy in the field of advanced survey, mapping and data intelligence. From satellite and drone-based solutions to AI-powered analytics, the company supports critical sectors such as transport, mining and urban planning. In conversation with CW, Amit Sharma, Founder & Whole Time Director, reflects on the company’s journey, the evolving role of geospatial intelligence, and the vision shaping its future direction.1. How did Matrix Geo Solutions begin and how is it shaping India’s geospatial landscape?While working with global firms, I saw how geospatial tech was driving infrastructure in the US and Europe. Back in 1997, my cofounder and I realised India lacked this approach. That led to the launch of Matrix Geo in 2008 to bring remote sensing and satellite-based tools into infrastructure planning. Being early movers, we worked with pioneers like TCS and have since delivered solutions across major private and government projects.2. How is your tech company driving change in the traditionally low-tech construction industry?Construction has traditionally used limited technology, mostly in materials and equipment. But over the past decade, tech adoption has grown, helping companies plan, monitor and predict challenges more effectively. This shift is enabling smarter, more sustainable project outcomes – meeting both operational and environmental priorities.3. Did you start with a target industry for your geospatial tech or did your focus expand organically?In 2008, geospatial tech was unfamiliar and hard to sell, especially to large infrastructure firms. We broke through by demonstrating value to leading Indian companies. A key shift came in 2011 with our drone tech development. Before drones, expensive helicopters and planes were used for surveys. By 2014, our affordable drones could collect data in hours instead of weeks, cutting costs and time drastically. This led to widespread adoption across construction sectors like roads, railways, solar and hydro projects.4. Can you name any early projects or companies that supported your technology and helped your growth?In 2014, I met a Northern Railways officer in Uttarakhand and demonstrated our drone with a high-res camera. He agreed to try it for free. I personally collected and analysed data showing how projects in Lucknow could be monitored remotely from Delhi. Impressed by the time saved, he introduced me to senior railway officials. That opportunity proved to be a turning point, leading to stronger traction within the railway sector and helping expand our reach.5. How has your technology evolved and how have the views of government and infrastructure companies on it changed?Drones have improved from 15-20 minutes to nearly 2 hours of flight per battery. Cameras have evolved from basic raw models to advanced multispectral ones for detailed analysis like crop health. High-speed Internet enables near-instant data access and live monitoring. AI now automates data analytics, which was manual before. These developments have broadened use-cases and driven wider acceptance among government bodies and infrastructure developers.6. Have you seen growth in geospatial talent and adoption? How well does academic training match industry needs?Yes, absolutely. When we started this company in 2008, only a few IITs and other institutes were offering remote sensing and geospatial technology courses. Since 2008, more institutes now offer geospatial courses, driven by government focus on this tech for growth. However, academic curricula lag behind industry’s fast pace. To bridge this gap, we run a three to six-month training programme to upskill graduates in the latest technologies and analytics. Hiring remains a challenge but we are actively building an industry-ready talent pool.7. Where is geospatial technology headed in the next five years? Are you following any global trends?Satellite image resolution will improve from 30 cm to 10-20 cm. Drones will fly longer – three to four hours – with better cameras. AI will analyse multi-sensor data to automatically detect issues like bridge or road damage. At Matrix, we use AI for real-time monitoring and reporting. Going forward, the convergence of AI, drones and satellite intelligence will drive more predictive, faster decision-making across infrastructure.8. Can you share a project where your technology significantly reduced construction costs?One key example is the railway electrification project between Mathura and Kanpur. Traditionally, surveys for such projects are done manually, taking four to five months for 200 km and prone to errors that can lead to costly rework. We used drones and laser tech to complete the survey and design in just three months, while also identifying risks early – saving both time and cost.Another example is the Nagpur Metro. We created a 3D digital twin and merged it with the proposed corridor model to identify clashes and resolve planning issues in advance. This approach saved an estimated 10-15 per cent in construction costs. Both cases highlight how tech-led planning helps minimise delays, enhance precision and optimise budgets.9. Was there a particularly difficult or challenging project that you worked on?One of the most challenging projects we undertook was in Leh. As you know, Leh has complex terrain and high-altitude conditions with thin air, which affects drone efficiency and aerodynamics. Most standard equipment does not perform optimally there. So, we had to specially design a new type of drone suited to those conditions. With that custom solution, we successfully mapped around 250 sq km for a solar power project.Another tough project was near Jaisalmer, in the desert. The extreme temperatures and rough terrain make ground access almost impossible in some areas. Planning roads or railways in such environments is very difficult without geospatial technology. We were approached by a company for their solar project in that region and thanks to the increasing trust in our capabilities, we could deliver the needed support. These examples show how location-specific challenges can be overcome through innovation and adaptability.10. How do you balance staying on the cutting edge of the tech while keeping your solutions practical?As I have mentioned, often the conditions on the ground have been very, very challenging. But our clients expect that we can save their time and money, and increase the safety of the manpower there. In other words, it is always expected from us that we can provide a better situational awareness and insight for the decision-makers. So, I would say that we maintain the balance by constantly learning from real-world project challenges. We ask: What problem are we solving? And which technology can help us do it better? Then we invest in R&D to develop a solution that is both cutting-edge and practical, with a clear return on time and cost.11. What’s next for Matrix Geo Solutions?We’re shifting from being a pure service provider to an end-to-end solutions partner, fusing hardware, software and AI to give clients real-time, actionable data. India’s liberalised drone and geospatial policies have already fuelled rapid uptake; now we’re looking abroad. Markets in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East trail India by a decade or more – an adoption gap we intend to close by exporting the integrated geospatial solutions that have proved their worth here.12. Any final thoughts for our readers?We started with a handful of use cases – today, we have over a hundred where drones and modern survey tools are delivering real results. From medical deliveries to even pizza drop-offs, the range of applications shows just how versatile these technologies have become.In construction, they’re no longer optional; they’re strategic. For firms looking to scale efficiently and sustainably, geospatial intelligence is the edge they need. The next wave will come from mid-sized and smaller firms. As the industry sees the value, broader adoption is only a matter of time.