Sightline: A Shodan-Style Search Engine for Physical Infrastructure

A new search tool called Sightline is bringing the discovery methodology of Shodan to the physical world. While Shodan famously indexes exposed internet services, Sightline applies similar principles to real-world infrastructure using OpenStreetMap data.

The tool enables users to search for physical assets like telecom towers, power plants, and data centers across global locations. It represents a novel approach to infrastructure discovery that could benefit researchers, analysts, and curious explorers alike.

The core idea behind Sightline is straightforward: apply internet-style search to physical infrastructure. Just as Shodan makes it easy to explore exposed internet services, Sightline aims to make physical infrastructure discoverable through search.

Users can query for specific infrastructure types using natural language searches like "telecom towers in karnataka" or "power plants near mumbai." The system also supports more precise structured queries for advanced users.

The tool's approach represents a significant shift in how we think about infrastructure discovery. Rather than relying on manual research or specialized databases, it leverages the comprehensive OpenStreetMap dataset.

Shodan makes it easy to explore exposed internet services. Sightline applies the same idea to the real world.

Under the hood, Sightline relies on a robust technical stack designed for geographic data processing. The system uses the Overpass API for querying OpenStreetMap features, providing access to a vast repository of geographic data.

For location resolution, the tool employs Nominatim, which handles the complex task of resolving countries, regions, and cities from search queries. This combination allows for precise geographic filtering without requiring users to know exact coordinates.

Notably, the system avoids hardcoded geography, making it flexible enough to handle queries from anywhere in the world. The parsing mechanism is deterministic and rule-based, operating without AI inference to ensure consistent, predictable results.

• Overpass API for OSM feature queries
• Nominatim for geocoding and location resolution
• Rule-based parsing without AI inference
• No hardcoded geographic boundaries

Sightline offers two primary search modes that cater to different user needs. The natural language interface allows for intuitive queries like "data centers in paris france," making the tool accessible to non-technical users.

For more precise searches, the system supports structured queries with specific parameters. Examples include type:telecom operator:airtel region:karnataka or type:data_center operator:google, enabling targeted infrastructure discovery.

The tool's flexibility allows users to explore infrastructure across different scales—from local searches to global queries. This versatility makes it valuable for various use cases, from academic research to commercial planning.

Key search capabilities include:

• Infrastructure type filtering (telecom, power, data centers)
• Operator-specific searches
• Regional and geographic constraints
• Combined parameter queries

Sightline is available as an open-source project, with the source code hosted on GitHub. This transparency allows users to examine the implementation, contribute improvements, or deploy their own instances.

A live demonstration is accessible through a web interface, providing immediate access to the search functionality. The tool's design prioritizes ease of use while maintaining powerful query capabilities.

The project represents a practical application of open data principles, combining publicly available OpenStreetMap information with specialized search functionality. Its open-source nature encourages community development and adaptation for various use cases.

Sightline demonstrates how existing internet search paradigms can be adapted to physical-world discovery challenges. By leveraging comprehensive geographic datasets, it creates new possibilities for infrastructure analysis and exploration.

The tool's approach—combining natural language search with structured queries—makes complex geographic data accessible to a broader audience. As open data initiatives continue to expand, tools like Sightline may become increasingly valuable for researchers, analysts, and curious individuals seeking to understand our physical infrastructure landscape.