Mapping What’s Next: Amber Standley on the Future of Digital Twins & Spatial Tech
Featured on the Inspiring Design Podcast with Rashan Senanayake
Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer, Amber Standley, recently joined Rashan Senanayake live at the Locate 25 International Conference for an episode of Inspiring Design - a podcast that explores where design, education, and emerging tech collide.
From her early experiments with augmented reality before most had heard the term, to co-founding a platform that’s reshaping the future of maps and digital twins, Amber’s journey is as innovative as it is grounded in empathy and design thinking.
In this episode, Amber and Rashan go deep on what’s shaping the next generation of mapping and why access, usability, and community impact are at the heart of Terria’s vision.
What You’ll Learn
What digital twins really are, and how they’re evolving from static models to real-time simulation engines
The power of visual storytelling in demystifying climate risk, urban development, and sustainability data
Why Terria is committed to code-free, open-source tools that empower everyone from local councils to students
How human-centred design is critical for making emerging technologies work in the real world
What makes 4D mapping possible—and how it’s already being used to plan complex builds and climate-resilient infrastructure
“Big organisations have access to these tools. Our goal is to put that same power in the hands of communities—so they can plan, understand, and respond with confidence”
A Few Standout Moments
Amber breaks down major industry buzzwords like BIM models, reality mesh, and automation in plain English—showing how these technologies are already being used to:
Simulate storm surge flooding for local councils
Empower property managers to automate environmental controls
Help high school students build their own drone-mapped digital twins
“It’s not just about the data. It’s about what you do with it, who you engage, and how you tell the story.”
And with AI, AR, and real-time data integrations all on the table, she paints an exciting (and practical) picture of where we’re headed.
“We’re working toward a future where you can just ask a question—‘Show me the best place to build’—and your digital twin will do the heavy lifting.”
Listen to the Full Episode
Title: Next Generation of Mapping: Harnessing Digital Twins, Augmented Reality, 3D Modelling + More
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | or watch on YouTube
Whether you're a designer, policymaker, educator, or data enthusiast, this conversation will change how you think about maps and what they can do for people and the planet.
“If it’s not intuitive, if it doesn’t fit into someone’s workflow, it won’t be used. That’s where human-centred design is everything.”
About Terria
Terria makes it easy to build advanced maps and digital twins, so you can see the bigger picture. Our digital maps and spatial digital twin technology make it easy for you to unlock the full potential of your data, enabling faster, smarter decision-making. We help you transform complex data into clear, actionable insights, so you can tackle real-world challenges with confidence and precision.
At Terria, we believe that data transparency has the power to transform how businesses operate, make decisions, and engage with stakeholders—ultimately leading to better outcomes for all. Find out more here https://terria.io/about
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