Global Scans · Geospatial · Weekly Summary

• [New] GPS disruption there is near-constant; problems linked to Russian interference have increased since the invasion of Ukraine. Ars Technica
• [New] Field testing of the integrated system is scheduled for early in 2026, addressing vulnerabilities like GPS jamming, spoofing and interference. Location Business News
• [New] Looking ahead, SAG expects HUD (heads-up display) AI smart glasses to outpace and overtake audio-only AI smart glasses from 2028 onward, as visual AI use cases - such as real-time translation, navigation, search, and contextual AI assistance-gain traction and hardware capabilities improve. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Using digital twins and reinforcement learning, Humanoid was able to test locomotion, manipulation, navigation, and even hardware design virtually, reducing risks before physical deployment. eWeek
• [New] The United States identified 37 critical minerals requiring supply chain resilience efforts through Executive Order 14017, while global mapping identified 14 minerals classified as high-risk for supply disruption. Discovery Alert
• By 2026, GPS is rarely expected to operate alone. Space Daily
• Looking ahead to 2030, satellite-based positioning, navigation and timing will be even more essential for aviation, maritime activities, power-grid coordination and financial transactions. Industrial Cyber
• TomTom will present the latest innovations in Automotive Navigation, including its AI Agent, which delivers proactive guidance using real-time traffic, mapping data, and vehicle insights such as EV battery status. SBD Automotive
• TomTom's AI-powered Orbis Maps will be integrated as a core mapping layer within CARIAD's automated driving software stack - supporting Volkswagen Group's next generation of intelligent, safe and scalable driving systems. SBD Automotive
• Pioneer will present its connected motorcycle solutions, including next-generation meter clusters, onboard cameras, and live demonstrations of Pioneer Ride Connect, enabling smarter navigation, improved safety, and intuitive rider experiences through AI and smartphone integration. SBD Automotive
• By 2026, more than a third of global energy and utilities infrastructure will have experienced cyber pre-positioning activity - quiet access, data collection, and operational mapping by both human and AI-assisted adversaries. SC Media
• The geospatial professional of 2030 who thrives will be a highly skilled, AI-literate expert, likely operating in a more specialized niche, focusing on the complex strategic and ethical challenges that AI cannot master. Geospatial Training Services
• As we move into 2026, geospatial data will play an increasingly critical role in AI training, shaping how systems perceive, interpret, and interact with the world around them. Solutions Review Technology News and Vendor Reviews
• In 2026, infrastructure management will be less about chasing scale and more about designing within constraints, mapping dependencies, and governing behaviour across cloud and on-prem infrastructure. EM360Tech
• Quantum-enabled sensing hardware can operate stably in maritime conditions, with the potential to provide resilient positioning without continuous reliance on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS. Yahoo Finance
• Ukraine has achieved the first confirmed underwater drone strike against a Russian submarine in a fortified naval base, demonstrating unprecedented autonomous navigation capabilities and cyber-physical integration that fundamentally expands the threat envelope for naval assets in protected harbours. Drone Warfare
• Remote sensing application is anticipated to hold highest share at CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period 2021-2026, owing to various applications. IndustryARC
• Multi-jurisdictional compliance requires integrated infrastructure: consent management recognizing Global Privacy Control signals, automated cookie scanning, DSAR workflows, vendor risk monitoring, and AI governance documentation. Secure Privacy
• While innovation in LEO satellites has primarily focused on connectivity and Earth observation, there is a generational opportunity to innovate in the position, navigation and timing infrastructure that silently powers modern life. GPS World

Last updated: 25 January 2026