MAANMITTAUSLAITOS

Their core work

MAANMITTAUSLAITOS is Finland's National Land Survey, and its research arm — the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI) — contributes technical expertise in satellite-based positioning, GNSS systems, and geospatial data collection. In H2020, they worked on both the security side of GNSS (testing receiver resilience against threats and jamming) and on applied use of European satellite navigation for smart road infrastructure maintenance and autonomous vehicles. Their practical strength lies in combining mobile mapping hardware, EGNSS positioning, and road condition sensing to produce actionable geospatial intelligence. They operate at the intersection of space technology and ground-level infrastructure, translating satellite data into real-world transport and maintenance applications.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the first phase (STRIKE3, 2016–2019), FGI's focus was on GNSS integrity and resilience — specifically how satellite navigation receivers detect and respond to threats such as jamming and spoofing, and how to standardise reporting internationally. By the second phase (ESRIUM, 2020–2023), their work shifted decisively toward applied geospatial intelligence: using EGNSS to sense road surface damage, support maintenance decisions, and enable automated driving. The evolution follows a clear path from standards and testing infrastructure toward real-world transport and smart mobility applications.

FGI is moving deeper into applied satellite navigation for transport infrastructure and autonomous mobility, making them a relevant partner for projects involving road condition monitoring, connected vehicles, or EGNSS-based services.

How they like to work

FGI has participated in all H2020 projects as a partner rather than a coordinator, suggesting they contribute specialised technical expertise rather than leading consortium administration. With 14 unique partners across only 2 projects, they work within medium-to-large consortia where their geospatial and GNSS capabilities fill a specific technical role. This profile is typical of a public research institute that brings methodological depth and authoritative national datasets, rather than project management capacity.

FGI has collaborated with 14 distinct partners across 9 countries in just two projects, indicating active engagement in genuinely international consortia. Their network spans European GNSS, transport, and geospatial research communities, with a likely concentration in Northern and Central Europe given their space and transport sector focus.

What sets them apart

FGI is Finland's authoritative national geospatial authority with a dedicated research institute, giving them access to national geodetic infrastructure, high-quality mapping datasets, and long-standing expertise in satellite positioning systems that few academic groups can match. Their dual capability — GNSS technical testing on one side and mobile mapping field operations on the other — makes them a bridge between satellite system providers and end-user infrastructure operators. For consortia needing credible, government-backed geospatial and GNSS expertise from a Nordic country, FGI is a rare fit.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ESRIUM
  The largest-funded project and the most applied, directly linking EGNSS satellite positioning to road damage detection and automated driving — a strong demonstration of FGI's ability to translate space technology into transport infrastructure value.
• STRIKE3
  Addressed GNSS security at the system level through international standardisation of threat reporting, showing FGI's role in shaping the regulatory and technical baseline for European satellite navigation resilience.