Geomatics is an evolving field directly impacted by advances in information and communication technologies. In 40 years, domain's practices have radically changed (from optical devices and paper layout to sophisticated digital sensors and digitalization of information). This article sketches the evolution of the discipline through the analysis of 4 decades of research within the Geomatics Unit of the University of Liège. This analysis is based on one hand on a historical study of permanent positions in the field of geomatics within the Department of Geography. Then, the research trajectories of the Unit are presented starting from a situation established in 2003. An evaluation of this research is finally carried out through several criteria which are publications, projects, impacts on teaching and impacts on the industry. Although this analysis has a methodological bias since it only concerns a single teaching and research unit, general observations can still be made. It turns out that geomatics is evolving at such a rate that it extends well beyond the geographical sciences while firmly rooted in them. Geomatics' teaching and research require resources that are most of the time difficult to obtain. Therefore, Geomatics is often reduced to technological support for other disciplines. This contribution serves also as an inventory for the Geomatics Unit at a key moment in its life.