Vexcel UltraCam Osprey powers Espoo’s 3D city model

Vexcel Imaging highlights the City of Espoo, Finland, and its continued success in building one of Europe’s most advanced open 3D city models, powered by high-resolution nadir and oblique imagery captured with Vexcel’s UltraCam Osprey systems. Espoo’s long-term imaging strategy – implemented through service providers using UltraCam Osprey cameras since 2017 – has enabled the city to develop a consistent, scalable, highly accurate digital twin that supports planning, visualization, asset management, and broad public use.

Espoo needed a highly accurate, photorealistic 3D model that would integrate smoothly into existing GIS workflows, serve both experts and citizens, and remain maintainable at consistent quality for years. To meet this, the city worked with service providers who, since 2017, captured imagery using UltraCam Osprey sensors. This high-resolution nadir and oblique imagery has been essential for detailed roof geometry, building analysis, and photorealistic texturing.

Espoo’s production cycles reflect continuous improvements while maintaining sensor consistency: the first textured model in 2017 (10 cm GSD), a major update in 2021 (5 cm GSD), and the latest update in 2024 (5 cm GSD). This continuity ensures stable geometry, predictable processing, and reliable year-to-year data quality.

 vexcel-imaging.com