Geospatial – Civil + Structural Engineer magazine

Trimble Launches New IonoGuard Technology to Mitigate Costly GNSS Signal Interruptions

C+S — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 18:00:00 +0000

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today Trimble IonoGuard, a next-generation technology designed to mitigate ionospheric disruptions in positioning and navigation by minimizing performance impacts caused by scintillation or signal noise.

Referred to as solar activity, ionospheric disturbances peak every 11 years. The next major disruption, Solar Cycle 25, is expected to peak between 2024 and 2026. Ionospheric activity can directly impact the quality of GNSS signals, leading to the degradation of position accuracy. While this type of disturbance has the greatest impact on high precision GNSS users operating around equatorial and high latitude regions, global disruptions are possible during the height of the solar cycle.

Available as a downloadable firmware update on Trimble GNSS receivers utilizing the Trimble ProPoint^® GNSS positioning engine, IonoGuard leverages the latest developments in Trimble’s high-precision receiver hardware design and signal tracking to deliver improved positioning performance in challenging environments. This will minimize the probability of a complete loss of GNSS signals and improve the quality of the signals’ accuracy and integrity.

“IonoGuard is Trimble’s newest innovation on the path to raise the bar on positioning integrity and performance worldwide,” said Stuart Riley, vice president of GNSS technology at Trimble. “It brings our customers closer to uninterrupted and robust positioning data on every project, around the clock. Whether it’s mitigating the impacts of Solar Cycle 25 or another ionospheric event, we’re building advancements into Trimble GNSS technology to deliver accurate and reliable positioning solutions today, tomorrow and beyond.”

Availability

For Trimble’s geospatial, civil construction and OEM GNSS receivers supporting the ProPoint GNSS positioning engine, IonoGuard is a free downloadable firmware update expected to be available in the 4th quarter of 2023 for receivers under warranty.

About Trimble

Dedicated to the world’s tomorrow, Trimble is a technology company delivering solutions that enable our customers to work in new ways to measure, build, grow and move goods for a better quality of life. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability. From purpose-built products and enterprise lifecycle solutions to industry cloud services, Trimble is transforming critical industries such as construction, geospatial, agriculture and transportation to power an interconnected world of work. For more information about Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.

WSP Geospatial Threat Management Tool Cited for Engineering Innovation

C+S — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 21:00:00 +0000

DALLAS — A specialized geohazard risk management platform to identify, inventory and track geohazards across more than 32,000 miles of TC Energy’s U.S. pipeline system in 38 states has received special recognition for Engineering Innovation from the Southern Gas Association (SGA).

The annual SGA Awards recognize members for advancing the natural gas industry. The 2023 winners were selected from 61 nominated projects with more than 1,500 votes cast from Southern Gas Association members. Winners were announced on June 13.

TC Energy’s GeoForce was built within the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcGIS Enterprise, a robust and industry-leading mapping and location analytics platform, and customized by WSP USA, a leading engineering, environment and professional services consultancy. The toolset centralizes data into a single geospatial platform that is used daily by members of the Weather and Outside Forces (WOF) geohazard threat management team.

The GeoForce program has been very successful in better supporting geohazard threat management for TC Energy, a company that provides world-class energy infrastructure to communities across North America.

The web-based platform includes multiple custom apps and dashboards that enable the WOF team to efficiently view, summarize, add and update geohazard threat data. Another key feature is its connection to the ArcGIS GeoEvent Server, which provides near real-time geohazard threat notifications via dashboards and email, plus detailed information about sections of the system that are impacted by geohazard events.

“TC Energy’s datasets are extensive, covering their entire footprint across the U.S. — a sizable portion of which crosses through areas that are highly susceptible to geologic hazards,” said Stephen Schmidt, assistant vice president and asset risk data management practice lead at WSP. “This includes 15,000 active areas and some 30,000 water crossings that are being tracked for TC Energy’s pipeline system, so it’s a massive amount of data. We’re currently in the third year of this project and already preparing for the ninth release of the platform this September.”

GeoForce is designed to handle three primary types of threat data:

pipeline exposure locations: Supplies essential information about areas where pipelines may be exposed and potentially prone to damage or interference,
water crossing locations: Focuses on significant points of potential risk within the TC network and the data that helps manage and mitigate those risks, and
landslide identification: Provides a repository of all identified landslide sites near the centerline.

In the web-based platform the WOF team can rapidly view, query and inventory new geohazard threat data and readily cross reference spatial threat data with other TC Energy datasets.

While Schmidt oversees the data management portion of WSP’s work with this longtime client, other members of the team are involved in the field program. Initially, data on 15,000 landslides was collected.

“Those are all individual site delineations for high resolution LiDAR data, with numerous high-risk locations requiring an in-person site assessment,” Schmidt said. “About 10 years of field work went into collecting the initial database and, today, data is still being collected.”

Schmidt added that collaboration with our WSP team in Turin, Italy, resulted in custom data entry tools, several automated project workflows, and development of predictive climate models, as well as automated data integrity checks.

Essentially, WSP built a novel system on the client’s network with the client’s software and data, leveraging it in a more robust manner that was customized to address the real needs of TC Energy.

“It can be difficult to quantify the value of what we are doing because it’s about risk mitigation,” Schmidt said. “So to have SGA recognize the GeoForce system as an innovative risk management tool highlights the value of what WSP and TC Energy are achieving.”

SGA is an important forum for recognizing leading natural gas companies across the U.S. and Canada, supporting and showcasing companies and individuals that achieve real, measurable business outcomes in their organizations.

About WSP USA
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP USA brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,500 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

S&T professors named inaugural fellows of the Taylor Geospatial Institute

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 19:00:00 +0000

Dr. Joel Burken. Photo by Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

ROLLA, Mo. – Two professors from Missouri University of Science and Technology were recently announced as part of the inaugural class of fellows for the Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI).

Dr. Joel Burken, Curators’ Distinguished Professor and chair of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at S&T, will serve as a fellow, as will Dr. Genda Chen, the Robert W. Abbett Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering. A total of five fellows were named.

Through this program, TGI institutions will be supported in recruiting and retaining high-achieving researchers in geospatial science fields, developing scientific leaders, and strengthening collaboration among the TGI members to accelerate the St. Louis region’s development as a world-renowned global geospatial center.

Fellows will receive support from TGI in several manners, such as discretionary funding, assistance from a TGI postdoctoral scholar, access to data analytics and computing resources, and guidance with grant proposal development.

Dr. Genda Chen. Photo by Sam O’Keefe/Missouri S&T

The three other inaugural TGI fellows include: Drs. Malia Gehan, principal investigator and assistant member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center; Carmel Martin-Fairey, assistant professor of biology at Harris-Stowe State University; and Abby Stylianou, assistant professor of computer science at Saint Louis University.

The TGI consortium includes Missouri S&T, Saint Louis University, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Harris-Stowe State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis. Collectively, these institutions encompass more than 5,000 faculty and 100,000 students.

The TGI is housed at Saint Louis University. The institute’s mission is to advance geospatial science through collaborations to create innovative solutions to societal grand challenges. It supports a collaborative research and training environment, and its main focus areas include core geospatial science, food systems, geospatial health and national security.

Trimble Advances Reality Capture with the New X9 3D Laser Scanner

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today the Trimble^® X9 3D laser scanning system, a new versatile reality capture solution for surveying, construction and engineering professionals. The X9 is built on Trimble’s proven laser scanning technologies, engineered to enhance performance in more environments while leveraging innovations such as Trimble X-Drive technology for automatic instrument calibration, survey-grade self-leveling and laser pointer for georeferencing.

The new Trimble X9 expands on the industry-proven Trimble X7, delivering longer range, higher accuracy, shorter scan times and exceptional sensitivity, improving scan results and boosting productivity. Advanced processing and a high-performance laser increase the sensitivity of all scans, positioning the X9 at the forefront for capturing difficult dark or reflective surfaces. A new center unit design improves signal transmission for better scan quality. With more efficient reality capture capabilities, the X9 broadens potential applications for customers in surveying, building construction, oil and gas, rail, forensics, monitoring, tunneling, mining and others.

The X9 provides significant time savings with extremely accurate and dependable data, enabling confident decision making both in the field and in the office through in-field registration within Trimble Perspective and Trimble FieldLink by minimizing the need for target deployment. The auto-calibration eliminates the need for annual calibration, which lowers the cost of ownership, reduces downtime and significantly increases the users’ return on investment. In addition, the X9 also includes survey-grade self-leveling with the industry’s widest compensation range for fast, easy setup.

Trimble X9 data can be delivered directly from Trimble Perspective or FieldLink software to Trimble’s office software, including Trimble Realworks 3D scanning software, Trimble Business Center office software, SketchUp and Tekla, or exported to industry-standard formats to produce application-specific deliverables. The Trimble ecosystem provides the software and flexibility to work the way scanning professionals want, so they can deliver what their customers need.

“Our customers buy Trimble because they want reliability and performance,” said Jason Hayes, market manager, Reality Capture Solutions, Trimble Geospatial. “The Trimble X9 is simple to use, provides unsurpassed reliability, and excels at creating high-quality digital representations of the world for applications ranging from fast-paced building documentation to challenging outdoor surveys.”

Availability

The Trimble X9 is available now through Trimble’s Geospatial and Building Construction Field Solutions Distribution Partners. For more information, visit: geospatial.trimble.com/X9 or fieldtech.trimble.com/X9.

TWM Appoints New Chief Operating Officerto Drive Growth & Innovation

Fri, 12 May 2023 12:00:14 +0000

Swansea, IL – TWM, Inc., one of the top engineering and geospatial firms in the greater St. Louis area, is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek Twente, PLS, EI, as its Chief Operating Officer. Derek will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the company, as well as driving growth and innovation across all areas of the business.

Derek brings over 18 years of accomplishments, contributions, and experience in Geospatial/Surveying to his new role. He has a proven track record of investing in new technologies to increase operational efficiency and delivering results in fast-paced, dynamic environments. He also holds senior leadership positions at TWM as Vice President and Director of Geospatial Services.

As COO, Derek will work closely with President Robert DeConcini, PE, and the rest of the executive team to set the strategic direction for the company and ensure that it is executed effectively.

“The TWM Board of Directors and I couldn’t be more pleased to establish Derek in this role, formalizing his ongoing contributions as he epitomizes the culture at TWM in its mission of providing exceptional service to its clients. His wealth of experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand in new markets and innovate in a rapidly changing business landscape. We’re confident in his ability to help TWM build on our strengths and continue to serve as a positive influence on the company’s forward growth and expansion,” said Robert DeConcini, President.

Derek added, “I’m looking forward to this new challenge and working together with both leadership and all our employee-owners. It is exciting to be part of a talented team that continues to raise the bar and exceed expectations. The quality of this team is reflected in the standards they’ve set for themselves: Exceptional Service. Nothing Less.”

Leica Geosystems introduces the next evolution in smart, autonomous mobile mapping

Fri, 05 May 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, today announced the latest addition to its Leica Pegasus TRK portfolio of mobile mapping solutions, the Leica Pegasus TRK100. Specifically designed for GIS professionals, the new mobile mapping system is a powerful, easy-to-use geospatial solution built for large-scale infrastructure measurement and digital twin creation.

Leica Geosystems’ Pegasus TRK portfolio is renowned for its simplicity and ease of use, lightweight robust design, and integration with intelligent, autonomous systems. The Pegasus TRK100 is even lighter and smaller, weighing just 14 kilogrammes, making it easy for one person to mount on any vehicle. The new mobile mapping system features the same modular hardware approach allowing users to add more cameras to expand the range of use cases.

The Pegasus TRK100 is designed to excel in GIS mapping and asset management applications, providing essential location intelligence for georeferenced visual data. Tailored for GIS professionals, it empowers them to transform their business operations. The system puts control into their hands for quick and autonomous data collection, and asset information capture.

With its advanced mapping capabilities, the Pegasus TRK100 enables GIS professionals to visualise and understand the location of assets, to help make the right decisions, improve asset management, and support infrastructure building and maintenance. The capabilities include MatchPoint for delivering next-generation point cloud refinement. This new technology combines artificial intelligence and a unique learning algorithm to enhance and optimise the clarity of points in post-processing for improved accuracy. The versatility of the Pegasus TRK100 suits a variety of applications in diverse industries, including telecommunications, utilities and road maintenance.

“The Leica Pegasus TRK100 advances autonomy and artificial intelligence in mobile mapping, removing manual process steps and providing actionable insights for informed decisions,” said Christian Schäfer, Business Director Mobile Mapping at Leica Geosystems. “It empowers GIS professionals to create the maps they need, collect the information they require and visualise the data in a way that immediately aids understanding.”

This innovative solution will be a featured Tech Highlight at Hexagon’s flagship digital reality solutions conference HxGN Live Global in Las Vegas, NV, from June 12-15, 2023.

To find out more about the Pegasus TRK solution, visit: https://leica-geosystems.com/products/leica-pegasus-trk

Missouri S&T researchers awarded seed grants from Taylor Geospatial Institute

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0000

ROLLA, Mo. – Researchers from Missouri University of Science and Technology were recently awarded funding from the Geospatial Institute Seed Grant Program to Stimulate Collaborative Research. This program is administered by the Taylor Geospatial Institute, which awarded a total of $1.7 million for projects throughout the TGI consortium.

The projects bring together researchers from multiple institutions that are part of the consortium and provides them with resources to advance geospatial science.

The grants support two types of research projects – four $200,000 development grants designed to create large-scale multidisciplinary research teams, plus several smaller exploratory grants.

Receiving a development grant for S&T is Dr. Grace Yan, associate professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering. Her team’s project is titled “Developing a Smart Geospatial Tool for Extracting Building Information at a Community Level to Enable Digital-Twins for Disaster Resilience.”

Receiving an exploratory grant for S&T is Dr. Shoaib Usman, an associate professor of nuclear engineering and radiation science. His project is titled “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning-driven Framework for Meteorological Data Mining and Synthesis for Health Systems.”

TGI’s mission is to advance geospatial science through collaborations to create innovative solutions to societal grand challenges. It supports a collaborative research and training environment.

TGI builds on St. Louis’s geospatial assets and is funded by a legacy investment by Andrew C. Taylor, executive chair of Enterprise Holdings, Inc. and founding chair of Greater St. Louis, Inc., with supporting investments from each of the eight member institutions.

Beyond creating new connections to strengthen the consortium, the exploratory research projects are expected to lead to multi-institutional research grants from external funding agencies.

The seed grants awarded by TGI support research projects that use geospatial science and tools to address problems in areas such as digital agriculture, digital twins, climate change, public health and developing artificial intelligence tools. These projects span the institute’s research focus areas of core geospatial science, food systems, geospatial health and national security.

“We are excited to support the innovative research projects of our partners and foster collaborations among researchers across different institutions,” says Dr. Vasit Sagan, acting director of TGI. “These seed grants will provide the necessary resources to jump-start promising projects that use geospatial technology to address critical societal challenges.”

To learn more about TGI, visit taylorgeospatial.org.

EagleView Unveils Revolutionary Geospatial Platform for Industries and Public Sector

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0000

EagleView Technologies, Inc., a leading aerial imagery, software, and analytics provider, is opening its powerful platform for strategic customer and partner access. The EagleView Platform will provide customers and partners the capabilities to access interactive experiences, improve current workflows and create services and solutions with the same core capabilities and tools that power EagleView’s renowned products and services.

“With this platform, we are opening access to the capabilities that have made EagleView an industry-leading geospatial solution provider,” said EagleView CEO Chris Jurasek. “Now, companies across all industries from architecture, engineering, and infrastructure to wireless service providers will be able to build solutions utilizing our proprietary software, imagery and property data sets into their own products and workflows, speeding innovation and delivery.”

The platform includes the capability to leverage EagleView’s library spanning multiple decades and 20 million+ square miles of geospatial images and data captured using EagleView’s technology. This native access to the multi-decade imagery database includes high-precision aerial captures of properties and rural and city landscapes (including bridges, roads, powerlines and other features) from which strategic partners can utilize machine learning tools to extract unique data.

The EagleView Platform offers strategic enterprise customers and partners the capabilities to both identify and extract features of the natural and built environment of residential and commercial property, as well as assets and infrastructure. These next-generation capabilities combine imagery, machine learning, and change analytics. The vertically integrated platform includes the capability for image storage, image processing, feature identification, and extraction of new geospatial data insights.

With the EagleView Platform, strategic customers and partners can utilize:

A 20+ year historical database of proprietary aerial and drone imagery, covering 94 percent of the North American population, 20 million+ square miles of visual records, and the majority of U.S. counties.
Geospatial information captured to ensure geolocation accuracy, geometric quality, and photometric quality.
High-resolution ortho and oblique imagery that allows for feature identification, extraction, and change comparison.
Multi-source cloud imagery storage including drone, aerial and other technologies.

“EagleView Platform offers game-changing innovation and speed. Our customers, which consists of landscape architects and designers, will now be able to optimize their design processes as well as provide innovative proposals” said Noah Nehlich, Founder of Structure Studios. “We are excited to partner with EagleView to give our customers a competitive edge.”

To discuss your specific solution or learn more, please contact Eagleview.

Geospatial tech firm sets its sights on sustainable data solutions

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0000

One of the UK’s leading geospatial technology companies is scaling up its data-led asset management support for major utility and infrastructure organisations, helping to minimise their environmental impact.

MGISS works with clients such as Northumbrian Water Group, Severn Trent Water and the National Trust, replacing traditional environmental surveying methods with GIS-based solutions, increasing both time efficiencies and the quality of data capture.

The firm provides forward-thinking solutions to the utilities, environment and infrastructure sectors, supporting clients to future-proof their assets, avoid sector disruption, and reduce emissions and minimise waste in their operations.

While manually locating the exact position of buried assets, such as water mains pipes, can be a costly and time-consuming process for organisations, it can also result in significant carbon emissions due to the need for tools and vehicles for excavation.

By turning spatial data into actionable intelligence, MGISS supports organisations to mitigate their negative impacts on the planet and to reduce the risk of environmental hazards to people and livelihoods.

A recent infrastructure project with Surrey County Council to capture highway boundaries saw MGISS’s geospatial solution deliver a 50% reduction in physical resources, as well as a cutback in vehicle usage due to the reduced need for travelling to sites.

Now, through a partnership with ECO-I North West, part of Liverpool John Moores University’s Industry Innovation Zone, MGISS is developing plans to maximise the potential of its geospatial solutions in reducing carbon emissions.

Last month, the firm announced a new two-year collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), providing cutting-edge solutions to detect changes to the built environment caused by third-party interference.

The IPAS (Interruption Prevention Alert Service) project is estimated to significantly reduce the 300,000 tonnes of carbon which is generated annually through disruptions to UK water utility networks.

MGISS has also agreed a partnership with Trees for Life, a multi-award-winning conservation charity reintroducing wildlife to the Scottish Highlands. MGISS will be training the team in all aspects of GNSS and how to utilise geospatial data for asset management purposes.

“For many years, we’ve supported our customers to become more sustainable by increasing the efficiency of their operations,” said Michael Darracott, Managing Director at MGISS.

“But by quantifying these actions and providing transparency on carbon emissions data, we can continue to develop our expertise in this space, deliver meaningful value to our customers and help protect our most valuable asset: the planet.”

With the Government’s ambitious target to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 and reach net-zero by 2050, smart and data-driven solutions are required to minimise negative impacts on the environment and help organisations generate carbon savings.

MGISS are continuously developing their solutions with a focus on environmental impact, with the aim to be recognised as the market leader of sustainable solutions in the geospatial technology market.

Alongside its sustainable solutions for clients, team members at MGISS have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint by travelling by train, by foot or taking part in the Octopus Electric Dreams EV Salary Sacrifice scheme.

Find out more about MGISS and its innovative services for utilities, infrastructure and environment agencies by visiting www.mgiss.co.uk

Learn more about the intelligent solutions the firm provides for clients by reading their case studies at www.mgiss.co.uk/case-studies

AirWorks Announces Partnership with Nearmap, Officially Launching Data Marketplace

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

AirWorks, a leading AI-powered mapping solution, providing geospatial data processing and analytics, and Nearmap, a leading location intelligence and aerial imagery company, today announced Nearmap will join AirWorks’ newly-launched Data Marketplace, an ecosystem of geospatial data providers that aims to bridge the gap between data access, processing, and analytics, uniting it in a single platform –AirWorks Automate. Through this agreement, Airworks and joint Nearmap-Airworks customers will be able to request and access planimetric data based on Nearmap imagery.

High-resolution aerial imagery from Nearmap is now available on-demand for all AirWorks clients in their Automate accounts, allowing them to place orders for feature extraction and receive complete, actionable engineering deliverables in record time. The AirWorks Data Marketplace is the first solution in the market that integrates data availability with linework creation in the same platform. Through this simplified process, clients will see significant increases in productivity, completing more projects faster and freeing up internal resources for value-generating activities. Users are not required to be existing Nearmap subscribers to take advantage of the imagery in AirWorks.

AirWorks’ web-based software turns orthomosaic photos and photogrammetric point clouds into vectorized basemaps for easy analysis and operates anywhere at any time. Through its patented machine learning algorithm, the software autonomously identifies and categorizes data points, optimizing itself to create CAD outputs with pixel-level accuracy. Clients can upload an unlimited number of datasets for projects.

“AirWorks was built on the vision that geospatial data can help us tackle some of the most important problems our society faces today: rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change. For the first time ever, project mapping data, feasibility plans, GIS basemaps, and other analytics can be accessed directly from our customers’ offices and workstations, eliminating the complexity of data collection and reducing costs through AI-powered analysis. Now, engineers, governments, and other stakeholders can increase design phase efficiencies and better understand the impact that any new construction project can have on the environment,” said David Morczinek, CEO and Co-founder of AirWorks. “We’re excited to partner with Nearmap to give our customers access to imagery that is accurate and recent. With this, we can start a new era of powering engineering and GIS projects with updated project plans and analytics.”

“We’ve learned from an overwhelming majority of organizations that they want to choose how they access Nearmap content for their business. This includes having the flexibility to access data instantly through Nearmap MapBrowser or through a third-party platform. Nearmap is responding by adding flexibility and market leading content including high-resolution 2D aerial imagery and 3D content to better support companies,” said Tony Agresta, General Manager of Nearmap in North America. “Organizations can now work smarter and more efficiently knowing that their AirWorks planimetric basemaps can be built on current and highly accurate Nearmap imagery.”

“We built the AirWorks Data Marketplace to more easily connect the right data source with the right project,” said Adam Kersnowski, Chief Evangelist & co-founder of AirWorks. “In the complex industry that we work in, we increasingly see that the wide variety of project needs –accuracies, deliverables, budgets and timelines can all be different every time, which presents a challenge for firms when it comes to choosing the best data collection method for a specific project. If we can ease that burden by removing the barriers to accessing geospatial data from the best providers in the market, then we can better enable our clients to get projects done faster, which is becoming a must in an industry that is moving towards shorter project delivery times more than ever before. We’re looking forward to fostering strong relationships with more providers and building integrations to AirWorks Automate through APIs for even faster data exchange.”

Nearmap location data and content is now available for use directly in AirWorks through the new Data Marketplace. For more information, contact the AirWorks team at (857)-990-1060 or sales@airworks.io.

All Systems Launched – Geo Week 2023 Announces Five Strategic Event Partnerships

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Organizers of Geo Week, the premier event that champions the coming together of geospatial technologies and the built world, have announced five strategic partnerships established for the 2023 event. As part of this collaboration, ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing), ISPRS (International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing), MAPPS (Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors), USIBD (United States Institute for Building Documentation), and WGIC (The World Geospatial Industry Council) will actively participate in Geo Week, taking place February 13-15, 2023, in Colorado, USA.

“We’re honored that these esteemed organizations have chosen to partner with Geo Week,” said Lee Corkhill, Geo Week Event Director. “From collaborating on key conference content and providing exclusive training, to showcasing the technical capabilities of our vendors, these partnerships strengthen and advance the geospatial and built world communities by providing additional expertise and industry advocacy to the event.”

ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing)

Each year, professionals working with photogrammetry, remote sensing, and GIS gather at the ASPRS Annual Conference for technical workshops, education sessions, awards recognizing excellence, and ASPRS committee meetings. The ASPRS Annual Conference started taking place with International Lidar Mapping Forum, now Geo Week, in 2018.

“Geo Week brings together the most important and longstanding annual conferences in the aerial survey, remote sensing, and mapping profession- that being the ASPRS Annual Conference and what was previously known as the International Lidar Mapping Forum, now Geo Week,” said Karen Schuckman, Executive Director of ASPRS. “It gathers the brain trust of sensor manufacturers, software developers, systems integrators, scientific researchers, and government agency leadership who are responsible for basically everything important happening in photogrammetry, lidar, and UAS-based mapping.”

In addition to the technical conference, these exclusive ASPRS workshops will be taking place at Geo Week:

Learn more about the ASPRS partnership here.

ISPRS (International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing)

“For the first time ever, Diversified Communications is collaborating with ISRPS to develop a session on Photogrammetry at Geo Week 2023,” said Lena Halounova, President of ISPRS. “ISPRS is the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, a non-governmental organization devoted to the development of international cooperation for the advancement of photogrammetry, remote sensing and geospatial sciences and their applications. Its members are national societies and government agencies, regional organizations and both national and international firms involved in these topics. ISPRS is organized in five technical commissions and is heavily involved in fostering and managing leading-edge research across the globe. The Geo Week session, scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, is being finalized and will include reviews of the latest research by several ISPRS leaders.” Learn more about the ISPRS partnership here.

MAPPS (Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors)

“MAPPS is again excited to be an active supporter of Geo Week 2023,” said Robert Hanson, President of MAPPS. “Each year we are highly enthusiastic to participate in this showcase geospatial event. MAPPS is the preeminent national association of firms involved in many aspects and benefits of the geospatial field in the United States. Many MAPPS member firms are exhibitors and speakers at Geo Week 2023’s educational, technical, and collaborative activities. This year MAPPS is participating with the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC) in the plenary session The Collaborative Impact and Power of Public, Private Partnerships from the Natural (climate) Environment to the “Built World, taking place Wednesday, February 15 at 9:00AM. Additionally, MAPPS will formally announce our partnership with National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) by co-exhibiting at Booth 1110. We look forward to seeing you at Geo Week 2023.” Learn more about the MAPPS partnership here.

USIBD (United States Institute for Building Documentation)

“The USIBD is excited to participate in Geo Week 2023,” said John Russo, President of USIBD. “This year we will welcome the leading scanner manufacturers to participate in our first ever LIVE event to compare normalized data from an assortment of scanners using various software developers’ solutions. You be the judge of which solutions are best for your projects.”

USIBD’s Laser Scanning Hub & Showdown is comprised of networking and knowledge-sharing and will include engaging demonstrations on the exhibit floor where conference participants will have a chance to learn about the newest tools, ask questions of vendors, and evaluate the capabilities and limitations of the technology. On Monday, February 13, leading laser scanner manufacturers will scan the Exhibit Floor allowing spectators to see reality capture tech in action. On Tuesday, February 14, manufacturers’ scanned data will be processed and visualized by leading software vendors. On Wednesday, February 15, the data, normalized by USIBD for side-by-side comparisons, will be presented in the Exhibit Hall Theater from 11:00AM – 12:30PM. USIBD will also engage participants in a fun, exciting contest with prizes. Learn more about the USIBD partnership here.

WGIC (The World Geospatial Industry Council)

Ken Mooyman, President, WGIC, said, “WGIC is delighted to partner with the Geo Week Conference. Our ability to demonstrate the value of geospatial data and solutions to climate change, sustainable infrastructure, and in many other areas, fits well into Geo Week’s program agenda. We are pleased to be participating with MAPPS in the plenary session “The Collaborative Impact and Power of Public, Private Partnerships from the Natural (climate) Environment to the “Built World” taking place Wednesday, February 15 at 9:00AM. We are excited to be at Geo Week 2023.” Learn more about the WGIC partnership here.

Geo Week Programming and Features

In addition to these partnerships, Geo Week features an extensive conference program, vendor-delivered Product Previews, Exhibit Hall Theater presentations, workshops, networking events, and more. More than 165 organizations have confirmed booths on the Exhibit Hall Floor and more than 150 associations and media have signed on as event supporters.

Geo Week provides education, technology, networking, and resources for professionals in industries including AEC, Asset & Facility Management, Disaster & Emergency Response, Earth Observation & Satellite Applications, Energy & Utilities, Infrastructure & Transportation, Land & Natural Resource Management, Mining & Aggregates, Surveying & Mapping, and Urban Planning & Smart Cities. Visit www.geo-week.com for more information on attending or exhibiting. Register now for early bird rates.

Ecobot Extends Integration With Popular GNSS Systems

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Ecobot, the only workflow-first digital platform for pre-construction environmental permitting, today announced compatibility with additional GNSS devices, further expanding integration with customers’ preferred geospatial systems. The newest additions to Ecobot’s array of compatible devices are Leica Zeno FLX100 plus, Trimble Catalyst, and Bad Elf.

Built from within the agricultural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, Ecobot has continually evolved alongside the expressed needs of thousands of customers who have used the platform to generate over 80,000 environmental regulatory reports.

“Ecobot works with the tools the industry already knows and relies on. It fits seamlessly into the workflow because it’s built around it,” says Emmet McGovern, Ecobot founding engineer and VP of engineering. “We’ve designed Ecobot to give customers the flexibility to use the system of their choice.”

Using Ecobot alongside compatible systems, customers are able to conduct maximally efficient, accurate, and geospatially-smart field data, which stakeholders can leverage in a variety of contexts in addition to pre-construction permitting. For example, with Ecobot’s Esri ArcGIS Online and Enterprise integration, customers are able to export Shapefiles to their GIS team’s Esri account from within Ecobot Manager.

Ecobot is now compatible with GNSS systems from:

Trimble Geospatial
Eos GNSS
Juniper Systems
SXblue
Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon
Bad Elf

About Ecobot: Ecobot is a cloud-based platform that supports efficiency throughout the construction lifecycle by optimizing data collection and management for environmental permits, and enables customers to utilize data in a variety of contexts. Ecobot helps customers deliver data consistency across a distributed workforce, and enables them to leverage field data for improvements to the construction lifecycle. See how Ecobot can transform your pre-construction permitting workflow at ecobot.com.

Presagis Teams with Kambill Systems to Provide Artificial Intelligence-Based Geospatial Services in Asia Pacific

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Presagis, a global leader in 3D advanced modelling and simulation software, has teamed with Kambill Systems of New Delhi, India, and their HelloGeo platform to offer fully automated, large-area artificial intelligence (AI) -based feature extraction services to national mapping agencies and other geospatial organizations in the Asia Pacific Region (APAC). The team’s first two contracts have been awarded by the Indian National Survey Agency/State Revenue Department of India for a massive building footprint and vegetation extraction from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data.

“Presagis is honored to team with Kambill Systems and their HelloGeo cloud platform to provide a comprehensive AI-based geospatial solution to Indian National Survey Agency/State Revenue Department of India,” said Jean-Michel Briere, President of Presagis based in Montreal, Canada. “Together, our companies plan to deliver fast and accurate large-area mapping services to civilian and defense survey organizations across the APAC Region.”

Kambill and Presagis will demonstrate their integrated geospatial mapping capabilities in booth 37 at the GeoSmart India 2022 Conference being held November 15-17 in Hyderabad. The AI-based feature extraction tools are part of the recently released Presagis VELOCITY 5D (V5D) digital twin generation platform, which will also be demonstrated at the conference.

“Kambill chose to integrate the Presagis AI building footprint and vegetation extraction tools into its HelloGeo geospatial solution after Presagis completed a nationwide 3D digital twin creation project covering 65,000 square kilometers for a European country in just three days,” said by Kamal Sharma, CEO of Kambill Systems. The automated Presagis AI algorithms succeeded in identifying 1.34 million building footprints in satellite imagery, which exceeded the results of manual footprint delineation by a staggering 55,000 structures.

“The speed and accuracy of our AI feature extraction algorithms – especially in projects covering massive geographic areas – are unmatched in the geospatial community,” said Briere. “Our automated process will deliver a significant savings in time and money for Indian National Survey Agency/ State Revenue Department of India which currently relies on manual extraction methods.”

Presagis has leveraged AI and game engine technologies to build its cloud-based V5D platform for fast and automated conversion of massive volumes of diverse 2D geospatial data into high-fidelity 3D digital twins. With no geospatial data processing expertise, V5D users can easily produce realistic and scalable digital twins that are ready immediately for use in advanced visualization and simulation to unlock the context often hidden in geospatial data and empower better decision.

To learn more about V5D, please visit www.velocity5d.com.

Trimble Introduces Innovative Rail Module for Real-Time Monitoring Software

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today Trimble® 4D Control (T4D) software version 6.4, featuring an add-on rail-specific monitoring solution. T4D is a software suite for real-time displacement monitoring and detection. The rail module simplifies the data collection process and reduces up to 95 percent of the office work required to automate movement detection.

The announcement was made today at the Trimble Dimensions+ Conference.

Monitoring rail track geometry is necessary to help identify deformations caused by activities such as tectonic movement, heatwaves and nearby construction. The real-time data captured can be used to evaluate track conditions, which can enable operators to make informed decisions regarding track maintenance. This process provides support for continuous rail traffic flow and passenger safety.

The T4D Rail software module, in combination with a Trimble total station, automates time consuming rail monitoring data collection. Conventional data collection methods, which require surveyors to manually collect each data point along the rails, often cause disruption to traffic flow and increase risk to workers. In addition, the module automates complex calculations to generate rail track geometry analysis and deliverables, reducing the amount of errors that may occur with manual calculations.

“This unique solution provides a comprehensive perspective and a great opportunity to standardize rail monitoring data and deliverables,” said Florian von Matt, geomatics engineer at Wild Ingenieure AG. “The T4D Rail module is simple to understand and will make work much easier for stakeholders that need to interpret and prepare data for analysis.”

Key features of the T4D Rail module enable surveyors and monitoring professionals to:

Seamlessly integrate accurate rail as-builts collected with the Trimble GEDO system or with the track measuring bar paired with the Trimble Access Track Gauge Survey app;
Automate calculations for track geometry parameters, generate analysis charts, and trigger alarms; and
Expand business opportunities by reducing crew field time and simplifying calculations, which minimizes the learning curve that goes along with sophisticated rail monitoring processes.

Trimble’s purpose-built T4D Rail module presents a streamlined total station-based rail monitoring workflow. Informed by current rail authority standards, the module assists professionals to meet comprehensive deliverable criteria. The automated process reduces field time, repeat site visits, rail traffic disruptions and improves worker safety. Along with this, the software module provides real-time alarming for early awareness of critical impacts and supports informed decision-making. This module allows more professionals to adopt rail monitoring as part of their business and for the work to be completed efficiently while meeting rail project standards.

“The T4D Rail module enables our customers to make more informed decisions on track assets and safety,” said Riley Smith, marketing director, Trimble Monitoring and Tunneling. “This is done by automating and simplifying complex processes so resources can be better utilized on high impact projects and other business opportunities.”

Availability

Trimble 4D Control version 6.4 is expected to be available in December 2022. To add the rail module to the T4D software, contact the Trimble Monitoring team here or a local Trimble Distributor.

About Trimble Geospatial

Trimble Geospatial provides solutions that facilitate high-quality, productive workflows and information exchange, driving value for a global and diverse customer base of surveyors, engineering and GIS service companies, governments, utilities and transportation authorities. Trimble’s innovative technologies include integrated sensors, field applications, real-time communications and office software for processing, modeling and data analytics. Using Trimble solutions, organizations can capture the most accurate spatial data and transform it into intelligence to deliver increased productivity and improved decision-making. Whether enabling more efficient use of natural resources or enhancing the performance and lifecycle of civil infrastructure, timely and reliable geospatial information is at the core of Trimble’s solutions to transform the way work is done. For more information, visit: geospatial.trimble.com.

Bowman adds Reality Capture Services Through Acquisition of Spatial Acuity

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 23:00:00 +0000

Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (the “Company” or “Bowman”) (NASDAQ: BWMN), today announced a definitive agreement under which Bowman will acquire substantially all of the assets of Spatial Acuity, LLC (“Spatial Acuity”), a 3D modeling and reality capture firm headquartered in Austin, Texas. Serving both domestic and international clients, Spatial Acuity focuses on reality capture technology including high-definition scanning and 3D building information modeling (BIM) creating a geospatial ecosystem and bringing digital twins to reality. Spatial Acuity’s founder and CTO, Garett Owens, will lead Bowman’s specialty geomatics and reality capture services group.

“The ever-changing and highly technical realm of geospatial data collection and digital measurement has resulted in a crowded field of solution providers” said Gary Bowman, CEO of Bowman. “The Spatial Acuity team has set themselves apart by capturing facility data with unmatched precision and delivering project results with a level of sophistication that is rare in the field. Garett and his team will both complement and extend our platform resulting in enhanced efficiencies and substantial cross-selling opportunities. We are pleased to welcome the Spatial Acuity team to Bowman, and I especially look forward to Garett’s leadership of our continuing adoption and growth of advanced digital services.”

“Reality capture is an exciting field with unlimited growth potential.” said Garett Owens. “By partnering with Bowman, we can expand at a pace we otherwise would not have been able to achieve. Their culture and commitment to growth matches precisely what we have been pursuing in a partner. Bowman embraces advanced technologies and together we will be an industry leading player in the digital transformation of design, construction, and asset management within the built environment.”

The Company expects the Spatial Acuity acquisition to initially contribute approximately $2.5 million of annualized net service billing and be immediately accretive. The acquisition price falls within the Company’s target multiple range and conforms with operating metric objectives. The acquisition will be financed with a combination of cash, seller notes and equity and is expected to close in early November. The Company will provide more detailed information on M&A activities, pipeline, and guidance in connection with scheduled quarterly communications.

TRIMBLE AND ABI GMBH OFFER TRIMBLE READY OPTION FOR PILING AND DRILLING MACHINES

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 21:00:48 +0000

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) and ABI Maschinenfabrik und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH announced today the introduction of a Trimble Ready^® factory option for new ABI MOBILRAM-Systems and DELMAG Drill Rigs. ABI piling and drilling machines shipped from the factory will be ready for the installation of the Trimble^® Groundworks Machine Control System, which can significantly reduce the cost and complexity of the installation for the contractor.

When an ABI MOBILRAM-System or DELMAG Drill Rig is purchased, the option to install a Trimble Groundworks base kit is now available. This base kit provides mounting hardware, brackets and an integrated wiring harness allowing a more seamless installation of Trimble Groundworks.

“Trimble enables our customers to map the entire construction process from planning to quality management. On construction sites, for example, the pile grid does not have to be measured in place,” said Tobias Schmidt, head of control engineering electrics at ABI. “A significant advantage of the Trimble Ready solution is the direct communication with the ABI control system, so that the sensor technology available on the machines can be integrated. The necessary mounting options on the machine are already prepared. This significantly reduces the costs required to equip a system from Trimble.”

“Both Trimble and ABI are committed to providing innovative solutions for drilling and piling operations,” said Kevin Garcia, general manager, Trimble Civil Construction. “Trimble Groundworks technology on ABI foundation machines can deliver outstanding quality while increasing productivity and keeping our customers safer in the field. Improving the efficiency of the drilling and piling workflow is always the goal for both companies.”

Trimble Groundworks is a reliable and streamlined machine control solution that enables contractors to perform drilling and piling operations quickly, safely and accurately. Trimble Groundworks is part of the Trimble Connected Site® portfolio of solutions that provide a high-level of workflow and process integration from the design phase through to the finished project. The integration of Trimble software in the office and Trimble Groundworks in the field can increase the efficiency and productivity of drilling and piling operations, wirelessly syncing data to reduce site visits and provide a single source of truth.

Local Support

SITECH^® dealers, Trimble’s global distribution network, provide installation services, personalized training and local technical support for Trimble Groundworks installed on ABI drilling and piling machines. SITECH dealers understand how to apply Trimble Connected Site® solutions to effectively improve on- and off-machine productivity.

Availability

The Trimble Ready option for ABI MOBILRAM-Systems and DELMAG Drill Rigs will be available in November 2022.

About ABI Maschinenfabrik und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH (ABI GmbH)

ABI is an internationally active machine manufacturer and offers a comprehensive range of machines, tools and accessories for special foundation engineering in piling and drilling technology. An important pillar of the company concept is reliable service with the aim of achieving high machine reliability. With developments such as the

Efficiency Drive, Docking-System, and various machine automated features, ABI makes a major contribution to protecting resources and the harmonisation of work on construction sites.

With the ABI MOBILRAM-System and DELMAG drill rigs, ABI offers its customers the best possible solutions for the realization of their special civil engineering projects whilst accompanying them as a reliable partner throughout the machine’s entire service life.

For more information, visit: www.abi-gmbh.com.

About Trimble Construction

Trimble is developing technology, software and services that drive the digital transformation of construction with solutions that span the entire architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. Empowering teams across the construction lifecycle, Trimble’s innovative approach improves coordination and collaboration between stakeholders, teams, phases and processes. Trimble’s Connected Construction strategy gives users control of their operations with best-in-class solutions and a common data environment. By automating work and transforming workflows, Trimble is enabling construction professionals to improve productivity, quality, transparency, safety, sustainability and deliver each project with confidence. For more information, visit: construction.trimble.com.

About Trimble

Trimble is an industrial technology company transforming the way the world works by delivering solutions that enable our customers to thrive. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability. From purpose-built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble is transforming industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation. For more information about Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.

JUNTTAN OY TO OFFER TRIMBLE GROUNDWORKS MACHINE CONTROL FOR PILING MACHINES FROM THE FACTORY

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 20:00:33 +0000

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) and Junttan Oy announced today the availability of Trimble^® Groundworks Machine Control System for Piling Machines as a factory option on Junttan Oy foundation machines.

Trimble Groundworks is a 3D machine control system that improves efficiency and reduces downtime with stakeless navigation, productivity and quality monitoring, and office-to-field connectivity. The system helps optimize productivity by enabling operations day and night and under almost any conditions. Using 2D or 3D guidance, Trimble Groundworks provides accurate piling depth and direction. The system reduces driving time per pile for piling machines, decreasing fuel usage to improve jobsite sustainability.

“Junttan strongly believes in the benefits of digitalization in the piling construction field and we are excited to include a GPS machine control system in our product offering,” said Karoliina Pesola, head of Digital and Measuring Solutions, Junttan. “Trimble Groundworks connected to Junttan’s machine control system PCD will provide a new dimension to our customers’ piling experience.”

“Both Trimble and Junttan have a long history of providing innovative solutions for piling operations,” said Kevin Garcia, general manager for Trimble Civil Specialty Solutions. “Trimble Groundworks technology on Junttan foundation machines will enable our customers to maximize piling productivity and safety, with a reliable and accurate workflow.”

More Efficient and Safer Workflows

Trimble Groundworks is part of the Trimble Connected Site^® portfolio of solutions that provide a high-level of workflow and process integration from the design phase through to the finished project. The integration of Trimble software in the office and Trimble Groundworks in the field can increase the efficiency and productivity of piling operations, wirelessly syncing data to reduce site visits and provide a single source of truth.

Trimble Groundworks allows operators to create an in-field design for piling and create piling reports. To reduce blind spots, administrators can set avoidance zones in the design file. With these stakeless workflows, Trimble Groundworks reduces the need for surveyors and other personnel to be near the machine, making job sites safer.

Availability

Trimble Groundworks is expected to be available for order in the first quarter 2023 as a factory-fit option from Junttan Oy. To learn more about Trimble Groundworks, go to: trimble.com/groundworks.

About Junttan Oy

Junttan Oy is a family-owned company with nearly 250 professionals worldwide and more than 45 years of experience in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of hydraulic piling equipment. With a factory in Kuopio, Finland, it manufactures pile driving rigs, multipurpose piling rigs, hydraulic impact hammers, and power packs.

Junttan supports its customers around the world with a wide range of services, such as spare parts, maintenance services, modernization and digital services, owning a service center in Hyvinkää, Finland, and subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. With a strong experience of demanding deep foundation projects Junttan is able to provide solutions for various pile foundations and soil improvements needs. For more information, visit: junttan.com.

About Trimble Construction

About Trimble

Hexagon and LocLab announce strategic partnership to accelerate the adoption of Smart Digital Realities in transportation, construction and urban planning

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:00:15 +0000

The strategic partnership is focused on increasing the automation of 3D digital twin creation by leveraging reality capture solutions and making digital twins seamlessly accessible to customers by connecting them with HxDR, Hexagon’s cloud-based storage, visualisation, and collaboration platform for reality capture and geospatial data.

LocLab, based in Germany, specialises in the creation of 3D digital twins. Their proprietary technology, enabled by a high degree of automation using proven workflows and artificial intelligence, allows the cost- and time-efficient creation of object-based digital twins of existing machines, plants, buildings, infrastructure, geographic spaces or any other assets.

“The combination of Hexagon’s leading reality capture and software portfolio and LocLab’s automated 3D digital twin creation workflow make Digital Realities more accessible to existing and many new customers,” says Thomas Harring, President Geosystems division at Hexagon. “In addition, the integration of LocLab’s 3D digital content with HxDR technology provides an unprecedented solution, connecting digital twins with existing ERP, IoT or other business process solutions. Open and standardised interfaces allow asset owners and operators as well as their stakeholders to share asset insights and collaborate through digital 3D models, efficiently and accurately.”

“We are excited to integrate our 3D digital content with the HxDR cloud-based platform to help our joint customers to share digital twin content to improve daily operations and maintenance efficiency,” says LocLab’s CEO, Dr. Ilka May. “Furthermore, the joint digital twin solution can be used for various applications, from public relations consultation and visualisation, training applications in virtual spaces and simulation and much more.”

Drone Analytics Market worth $6.5 billion by 2027 – Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:00:48 +0000

Drone Analytics Market is estimated to be valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 6.5 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 25.5%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. This growth can be attributed to the rising demand for agricultural drones, increasing use of drones in defense, and new application areas like thermal detection being carried out using drones, among others. The manufacturers of drones are focusing on expanding their business to meet the increasing demand for drone analytics.

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Players in the Drone Analytics Market such as AgEagle (US), AeroVironment (US), Skydio (US), ESRI (US) are some of the leading companies in this market. Other key players in the market are Draganfly (Canada), and Delta Drone (France). The report covers various industry trends and new technological innovations in the drone analytics Market for the period, 2018-2027.

Drone data created with point cloud

Point clouds are like natural clouds made of millions of condensed water droplets. Point clouds contain millions of geospatially connected points, producing a three-dimensional virtual mass. From the images created during a drone survey, distinct features are detected that can be observed in several images. Utilizing the location of the camera sensor, the location of each distinct feature can be calculated with triangulation. To establish a coordinate for a distinct point from drone imagery, the point must be taken in two images with known positions.

AI inspection

Utility companies manage massive infrastructure networks, including poles, conductors (wind power and telecom towers), and substations. Taking a thorough snapshot of these assets requires utilizing a variety of different sensors for powerline inspections. These sensors consist of light detection and ranging (LiDAR), color (RGB), hyperspectral, and thermal imagery. This permits the drone mapping software to seize everything such as the vicinity of vegetation, infrastructure assets, and hot spots indicating potential fire risks. That is a lot of data to secure, catalog, and process. There are a lot of specific elements within that data, even in just one image, to pinpoint and categorize, let alone do so precisely. Sorting billions of data points across all those sensors is an impossibly time-exhausting task to do manually.

SaaS segment projected to lead the Drone Analytics Market by type, during the forecast period

Based on type, the software as a service (SaaS) segment is estimated to account for the largest share of 78% of the drone analytics market in 2022. This segment is projected to grow from USD 2.3 billion in 2022 to USD 8.4 billion by 2027.

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North America region accounts for largest market share in drone analytics market

North America led the drone analytics market in 2022, with the US accounting for the largest share of the regional market. . The analytics market in the US is continuously growing due to ongoing technological developments in drones and autonomous ground vehicles. North America has always been a center for free trade. It supports the growth of different industries and businesses.

Major drone analytics Market players present in North America include Skydio (US), ESRI (US), AeroVironment (US) and AgEagle (US).

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Browse Adjacent Market: Aerospace and Defence Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Drone Logistics and Transportation Market by Solution (System, Software and Infrastructure), Platform (Freight Drone, Passenger Drone and Air Ambulance Drone), Application (Logistics and Transportation), Range, User – Global Forecast to 2030

Drone Software Market by Solution (Application, System), Platform (Defense & Government, Commercial, Consumer) Architecture (Open Source, Closed Source), Deployment (Onboard Drone, Ground-Based, Region – Global Forecast to 2027

GeoCue Makes European Debut of LP360 Point Cloud Software and the New TrueView 655/660 3D Imaging Sensor at Intergeo 2022

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 15:00:51 +0000

The TrueView product line and LP360 software are now available in Europe. See them at Intergeo 2022.

Making its European debut, LP360 and the all-new TrueView 655/660 will be exhibiting at Intergeo 2022, Europe’s largest geospatial conference. The TrueView 655/660 is GeoCue’s third generation RIEGL integration built with the miniVUX-3UAV and triple mapping cameras (right, left, nadir) for high accuracy mapping with excellent vegetation penetration and wire detection in a lightweight payload package. GeoCue is owned by mdGroup, and is a sister company to Microdrones.

TrueView 3D Imaging Systems are known for their dual oblique cameras that help maximize mapping and coverage. The new TrueView 655/660 adds a third Nadir camera, allowing for imagery directly below the sensor to be captured.

Frank Darmayan, CEO of GeoCue explains the added coverage of the third camera. “With our newly released 655/660 the third RGB nadir camera provides a direct view of the ground below. This maximizes data collection for time flown, while improving the quality of photogrammetry and colorized point clouds our customers can provide.

LP360, an advanced geospatial data processing software, is also now available for European GIS professionals to post-process raw geospatial data into 3D colorized point clouds. LP360 has been updated and now offers two product lines, for all of your LiDAR and photogrammetry data processing needs.

For drone users, LP360 Drone is the core product for drone geospatial data workflow. It can transform LiDAR and imagery data into survey grade deliverables including: visualization, quality checks, classification, 3D editing, and analysis capabilities.

For larger dataset users, LP360 Geospatial can process captured LiDAR data or images from any aircraft or mobile sensor of your choice and analyze and extract value for large LiDAR datasets.

Vivien Heriard Dubreuil, CEO of GeoCue parent company mdGroup, knows that having the right software is key to getting the most out of your LiDAR data. “We are excited to bring LP360 to Europe. This software brings many additional features and resources for our users to produce the right deliverables without having to use any secondary processing software. We’ll be demonstrating the workflow and geospatial tools available in LP360 at our Intergeo booth. We look forward to users of ALL survey equipment, including the DJI L1 to visit us with their system-specific questions and challenges. We are confident our software can help improve their deliverables.”

GeoCue will be exhibiting the new TrueView 655/660 at booth F3.128 in Hall 3, near the Hall 2 entrance and LP360 demonstrations will take place at booth A3.017 in Hall 3, near the West entrance at Intergeo 2022, in Essen Germany.

For those who can’t attend Intergeo, a 2-day LP360 training course will take place in Siegen, Germany, November 9-10. The course will cover a broad range of LiDAR mapping workflows and help you become more efficient with LP360 software and drone mapping tools as well as industry best practices and procedures. Register online.

About GeoCue

GeoCue is a U.S. LiDAR data technology company offering software, hardware, training, support, and consulting services for high accuracy LiDAR and imaging drone mapping to help civil engineering and surveying professionals achieve successful data collection, processing, and management.

With its TrueView drone LiDAR/Imaging sensors and LP360 point cloud data processing software, GeoCue is the leader in LiDAR mapping processing in North America.

To learn more about GeoCue, visit www.geocue.com

About mdGroup

mdGroup is an aerial digital twin maker for industrial applications. It operates its digital twin making business through its portfolio companies Microdrones and GeoCue.

To learn more about mdGroup, visit www.group-md.com

Carlson Partners With Autel Robotics to Offer Full UAS to CAD Workflow

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 22:00:03 +0000

Leading geospatial firm Carlson Software and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) manufacturer, Autel Robotics, today announced a partnership that will allow UAS teams to utilize the full suite of Carlson’s software and hardware solutions with their Autel EVO II Pro Series aircraft.

“Autel produces excellent RTK drones with the accuracy that surveyors need, and adding them to Carlson’s strong lineup of tools for land development professionals really helps complete the solution that we can provide for our customers,” says Derek Roché, Carlson Regional Manager. “We can take you through the entire project lifecycle from setting your ground control points with a BRx7 GNSS receiver and RT4 data collector with SurvPC field software to the actual drone flight to the photo processing on your computer or in the cloud, all the way through to processing that data, creating linework, surfaces, and finished plans in CAD with our powerful, industry-standard office software.”

The Autel EVO II Pro RTK UAS

Carlson’s tools for UAS professionals include Carlson PhotoCapture, a standalone or cloud-based photogrammetry software to create point clouds, orthoimages, surfaces, and more from drone photo data; Carlson Point Cloud office software which provides powerful tools such as bare-earth and automated feature extraction for point clouds, Carlson’s suite of CAD office software, such as the industry-standard Carlson Survey program to create finished CAD files and plans, and the Carlson BRx7 GNSS receiver, which can be used both to accurately place ground control points and as a base to provide corrections to an Autel EVO II Pro RTK drone through Carlson’s Listen-Listen network.

“The workflow capabilities Carlson already has in place present an excellent choice for land development professionals, and now with the addition of the Autel EVO II series to handle the aerial data collection, we’re proud to offer the most comprehensive option in the industry today.”

In 2015, Autel Robotics released its first-generation UAS product: the X-STAR. The success of the X-STAR and the subsequent EVO II series allowed Autel Robotics to quickly build a reputation in US markets. With the introduction of the EVO II series and platform in 2020, Autel Robotics will push its folding UAS to new heights in performance and application.

Carlson specializes in land surveying, construction, engineering, mining, machine control, and CSI solutions for professionals worldwide. In business since 1983, Carlson’s approach has always been to provide their customers with the most efficient, specialized, and powerful tools possible, backed by the best free, unlimited support in the industry.

Universal Engineering Sciences Launches Virtual Design Consulting Services to Better Serve Architects, Engineers and Contractors

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 15:00:23 +0000

Subsurface Information Modeling (SIM) and 3D Laser Scanning Provides More Accurate Building Information Models (BIM), Increases Safety and Boosts Project Efficiency and Profitability

Orlando, FL – Universal Engineering Sciences® (UES), a national leading engineering and consulting company, is adding a new service to its breadth of offerings – Virtual Design Consulting – that will increase safety, reduce risk, and help all parties involved in complex construction projects maximize profitability and limit change orders. UES, which was recognized as the fastest growing AEC firm in the U.S. and Canada in 2021, is leveraging sophisticated subsurface information modeling, advanced geophysics, and 3D laser scanning with mixed reality applications to package its Virtual Design Consulting services and help all aspects of a construction project – often before a building is constructed.

Example of a 3D Subsurface Information Model (SIM) with UAV laser
scan for context.

3D digital models of building components, project sites, and subsurface utilities help architects, engineers, and contractors – UES’ primary clients for Virtual Design Consulting – visualize and manage workflow and team organization and deliver more accurate models and reports of below ground structures at the start of any design-construction project.

“This innovative service will allow BIM to be more robust by providing accurate subsurface information that creates a true total asset model. We’re filling a void in the AEC industry by seamlessly combing both subsurface and above ground building information,” said UES Director, Virtual Design Consulting James Slusher, P.E. “This service line is a critical addition to UES’ diverse set of consulting services that will allow the company to serve even more projects from start to finish across areas of the U.S. that are experiencing tremendous development growth.”

Virtual Design Consulting from UES is initially focused on three core areas of expertise: subsurface utility engineering (SUE), subsurface information modeling (SIM), and 3D laser scanning, which integrates SIM and building information modeling (BIM) in a way that has never before been widely offered to the AEC industry.

Example of a mobile laser scan of a large manufacturing building.

SIM is the process of creating digital replicas of below-ground structures like utilities, voids, and bedrock that can be surveyed above grade. It is essentially the inverse of BIM, a standard practice in the industry that generates digital representations of a structure’s physical characteristics.

By combining SIM with BIM, Universal Engineering Sciences can provide a full-service offering that makes total asset models of above- and below-ground structures more accurately while also integrating geotechnical and structural information. The Virtual Design Consulting team uses techniques that involve advanced geophysics, surveying, laser scanning, and 3D modeling with equipment that far exceed the sophistication of traditional ground-penetrating radar. Some benefits of integrating SIM into the BIM process include:

Analyzing potential conflicts with above- and below-ground structures
Creating reliable 3D digital records of underground utilities
Reducing soft-digging excavations
Limiting costly shutdowns from utility strikes
Assessing void and sinkhole locations
Gathering rock rippability data
Minimizing change orders and delays
Lowering construction risk

Universal Engineering Sciences expects Virtual Design Consulting services to help increase site safety and boost a construction project’s overall efficiency and profitability.

Medaro Mining Completes an Airborne Geophysical Survey at Yurchison Uranium Property in Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 20:00:55 +0000

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Medaro Mining Corp. (CSE: MEDA) (OTC: MEDAF) (FWB: 1ZY) (“Medaro” or the “Company”), a multi-faceted mineral explorer and joint venture (JV) partner with Global Lithium Extraction Technologies Inc., is pleased to announce that it has completed an airborne geophysical survey at its Yurchison Uranium Property in Athabasca Basin, Northern Saskatchewan. The Company contracted Geodata Solutions GDS Inc. of Laval, Quebec to complete a high-resolution helicopter-borne magnetic survey on mining claim MC00011054 of the Yurchison Property. A total of 1,424 line kilometers of survey was completed at 50 m line spacing using an AS 350 BA + helicopter (see Table 1 below for details). The mining claim MC00011054 is located in the middle of the Yurchison Property.

A Helicopter Versatile Time Domain ElectroMagnetic (VTEM) geophysics survey was flown by Geotech Ltd. on behalf of JNR Resources on the Yurchison Property in October 2006 and identified ten Zones of Interest based on the electromagnetic (EM) conductors and the total field magnetic response (Figure 1) (assessment report 74H08-0041). Zones of Interest are areas with potential to host uranium mineralization based on their geophysical signature. This historic survey was flown at 200 m line spacing, so Medaro decided to fly the current survey at 50 m line spacing to obtain more detailed resolution on the anomalies. The EM conductors, shown as red dotted lines on Figure 1, are along a SW-NE trend parallel to the rock unit boundaries and a major fault (Needle Falls Shear Zone). The magnetic geophysics survey will provide structural information especially the location of the N-S trending Tabbernor faults (black dashed lines on Figure 1). The intersection of the major fault and the Tabbernor faults and the graphitic metasedimentary rocks are exploration targets for uranium mineralization. The Zones of Interest also correspond to the contact between two different rock units (Figure 1).

The 2006 VTEM survey was followed up with a 2008 drill program by JNR Resources with drill highlights on claim MC00011054 including (Figure 1) (assessment report 64E05-0034):

82 ppm U from 11.5-12.5 m (1.0 m interval) in drill hole YL-08-111 in granitic pegmatite
240 ppm U, 3750 ppm Mo from 22.5-23.0 m (0.5 m interval) in drill hole YL-08-112 in granitic pegmatite
84.4 ppm U from 57.0-57.5 m (0.5 m interval) in drill hole YL-08-114 in graphitic carbonate breccia.

The combination of the exploration pathfinders: the intersection of N-S Tabbernor faults and SW-NE major fault, rock unit boundaries, EM conductors and uranium anomalies intersected by drill holes (well above background levels) makes claim MC00011054 an exciting exploration target on the Yurchison Property and Medaro Mining is looking forward to examining the results of our March 2022 helicopter-borne magnetic survey. The survey data is being processed and results will be released as soon as available.

The survey crew was based at KM147 Lamp Lighters lodge, Saskatchewan, located about 15 kilometres to the south of the Yurchison Property. The area was flown following a pre-defined 3D flight surface having a rate of climb/descent of 20% and a minimum ground clearance of 35 metres over the survey area. Altitude was ultimately controlled at the discretion of the helicopter pilot with safety held in priority consideration.

Medaro Mining CEO Michael Mulberry states, “We are excited to get the spring exploration season started. The results from this airborne study will provide additional targets for our ground exploration crew slated to start at Yurchison June 1^st. Additionally I would like to announce that we have entered into a consulting process facilitated by the Ya’Thi Nene Land and Resource Office. This gives us direct access to consult with leadership and residents of the Athabasca Basin, or locally known as Nuhnene.”

ProStar Announces Trimble Integration Of PointMan For Apple iOS

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:00:06 +0000

BOULDER, Colo. (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ProStar Holdings Inc. (“ProStar^®” or “the Company”) (TSXV: MAPS) (OTCQX: MAPPF) (FSE: 5D00), a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions^®, is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed the Trimble GPS/GNSS receiver integration of its flagship product PointMan for Apple iOS.

“We are excited to support ProStar’s PointMan running on iOS devices for our wide range of GPS/GNSS receivers, including our newest receiver, the Catalyst DA2,” stated Stephanie Machaud, Strategic Marketing Manager. “The new DA2 is powered by Trimble ProPoint GNSS technology and at 12 OZ, it is the smallest, lightest, and most precise GNSS receiver that we have ever developed and provides for a powerful data collection solution with ProStar’s PointMan. Combining PointMan with Trimble’s DA2 catalyst provides a precise and comprehensive data collection solution to capture, record, and display the precise location of critical underground infrastructure.”

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) and ProStar are engaged in a business partnership allowing the Company full access to the Trimble GPS/GNSS receivers and Trimble Software Development Kit (SDK). The partnership allows ProStar to integrate its flagship mobile solution PointMan with Trimble’s wide range of precision GPS/GNSS receivers, including the new Trimble Catalyst DA2. With this recent Trimble SDK release, PointMan now supports Trimble receivers for mobile devices running Google Android operating system and Apple iOS including, the DA2, R2, R12/I, and R1. PointMan iOS is now available on the Apple Store.

“We worked very closely with Trimble’s software development team in order to complete the integration of PointMan with Trimble’s GPS/GNSS receivers supporting Apple’s iOS,” stated Vasa Dasan, ProStar’s COO. “This development adds significant value and flexibility to our Trimble partnership as it provides the ability to support Trimble clients that have chosen the Android operating system as well as those that prefer Apple as their device of choice.

Media Alert: Low-Level Flights to Image 3D Geology in Western Arkansas

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 14:00:52 +0000

Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Arkansas Geological Survey (AGS) are partnering to image geology using airborne technology as part of the USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) project and the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP).

The USGS is contracting with EON Geosciences to conduct the survey, which will fly over all or parts of six counties in western Arkansas including Yell, Poe, Johnson, Logan, Scott and Perry counties. The planes and crew will be based out of the Branson Airport in Hollister, Mo. Weather permitting, the survey will begin in mid-March and conclude in June.

A Piper Cheyenne airplane will be mounted with passive sensors that measure variations in the Earth’s natural magnetic field. These variations are created by different rock types up to several miles beneath the surface. The magnetic sensor will be mounted on a tail stinger off the back of the aircraft. Each plane will also include sensors inside the aircraft that measure soil and rock chemistry at the surface. None of the instruments carried on the aircraft pose a health risk to people or animals. The aircraft will be flown by experienced pilots that are specially trained and approved for low-level flying. All flights are coordinated with the FAA to ensure flights are in accordance with U.S. law.

The western Arkansas survey will be flown at elevations approximately 80 to 300 meters, or about 260 to 1,000 feet, above ground in a grid pattern along north-south flight lines spaced approximately 300 meters, or 984 feet, apart. East-west flight lines will be spaced 3,000 meters, or 9,800 feet, apart. All survey flights will occur during daylight hours.

Data collected for this survey is part of a national-scale effort to acquire modern, high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric data. The survey will replace existing lower-quality geophysical data, collected mostly in the 1980s, that is of limited use for geologic mapping. The new geophysical survey will use the latest technological developments that will allow the USGS to create high-resolution 3D representations of geology to depths several miles below the surface. The 3D models and maps produced from the survey will help understand the distribution of groundwater, mineral and energy resources as well as the potential for natural hazards. Data collected as part of the Arkansas survey will be made public and used by USGS and AGS scientists to guide more detailed geologic mapping at local scales.

Earth MRI is a cooperative effort between the USGS, the Association of American State Geologists and other federal, state and private sector organizations to improve our knowledge of the geologic framework in the U.S. The NCGMP provides accurate geologic maps to help sustain and improve the quality of life and economic vitality of the nation.

LAND INFO Announces Updated 10m USA Countrywide Land Use Land Cover Mapping Dataset

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 19:00:08 +0000

DENVER, Colorado, USA – LAND INFO Worldwide Mapping LLC, the premier provider of mapping solutions for 5G wireless in North America, recently completed up-to-date 10m resolution thematic raster GIS data covering all 50 U.S. states. Optimized for low-band (broad-area coverage) 5G wireless planning, the dataset supports additional applications including utilities, insurance and government, and complements LAND INFO’s 1m resolution datasets that are used for mid-band and high-band 5G in more densely populated areas.

“The dataset is unique in that in addition to using 2020-2021 Sentinel imagery and numerous ancillary layers, we were able to create best-in-class mapping by incorporating into our processing aerial-derived Digital Surface Model (DSM) elevation data via our longstanding partnership with Hexagon’s HxGN Content Program,” said LAND INFO president Nick Hubing.

The HxGN Content Program offers high-resolution, countrywide aerial imagery and elevation data of the contiguous United States and Western European countries. Hexagon continuously advances the program with higher resolution products for digital twin initiatives.

“We are proud to support LAND INFO’s land-use/cover mapping solution with our high-quality DSMs,” says John Welter, President, Geospatial Content Solutions at Hexagon. “LAND INFO is a well-established partner of Hexagon, and the partnership enables various industries to gain real-world analytics for reliable insights and better-informed decision making.”

LAND INFO’s proprietary automated geospatial processing technologies include object-based image analysis and artificial intelligence where smart rulesets analyzed, classified, and merged the imagery, DSM and ancillary layers into a single information rich dataset. There are currently just over 20 classes, and additional classes can be added upon request.

Phase One Selects Globe Flight as Sales Partner for Drone Solutions in Germany and Austria

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 19:00:15 +0000

Phase One P3 DJI Offers Millimeter Resolution

COPENHAGEN – Phase One, a leading developer of digital imaging technologies, has named Globe Flight GmbH as its reseller of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solutions in Germany and Austria. Based in Barbing, Germany, Globe Flight plans to make the Phase One P3 DJI M300 payload a centerpiece in its comprehensive drone offerings for inspection, surveying, and other geospatial applications.

The Phase One P3 payload addresses the previously unmet commercial need for high-resolution drone imaging while covering large surface areas quickly and safely. The P3 enables Globe Flight to offer its customers a complete fully integrated drone solution for the first.

“Our P3 DJI M300 payload is a perfect complement to Globe Flight’s existing products because it opens the door to millimeter-level imaging that was not available with other UAV camera systems,” said Carsten Wieser, Area Sales Manager for Central and Northern Europe at Phase One. “The P3 will appeal to Globe Flight’s current customers and attract additional users in inspection sectors requiring extremely detailed drone images to inspect their infrastructure.”

Globe Flight is an ideal business partner for Phase One in the region, and the two companies will collaborate in Germany and Austria to further cultivate the market for UAV applications.

The German firm is an acknowledged UAV expert, offering a wealth of comprehensive solutions that include DJI sales and maintenance, product testing, regulatory advice, and pilot training. Globe Flight has traditionally equipped customers with DJI drones for use in inspection, surveying, agriculture, and others. The firm expects the P3 will expand these applications into the following specific areas:

Inspection: Powerlines and power masts, wind turbine, bridges, railroad tracks, roads, building facades and roofs, oil and gas facilities (including flare towers), cellphone tower, solar panels, dams, digital twins.
Surveying: High-accuracy and wide-area mapping.
Agriculture: Phenotyping, precision agriculture.

“We are thrilled about this partnership with Phase One as it enables us to offer our customers a fully integrated, ready-to-fly solution with the P3 DJI payload,” said Anselm Doetterl, Globe Flight Enterprise Sales Manager.

The P3 DJI M300 is a plug-and-play system ready to fly on a DJI Matrice 300 drone with a user-selected option of either the Phase One iXM 100MP or 50MP camera mounted on a new gimbal with integrated laser rangefinder. Phase One offers other drone payloads including versions for MAVlink supported drones and the DJI M600 Pro. All are designed primarily for fast, efficient, and safe inspection of critical infrastructure, yet versatile enough to handle any end user application.

The high-resolution medium-format metric Phase One iXM cameras have four RSM lens options and boast a dynamic range that guarantees sharp image collection in high-contrast or low-light environments. The variety of lens options ensures large surface areas can be captured with millimeter-level detail – even at safe distances from the asset. The new gimbal with the integrated laser rangefinder ensures precise and fast focusing on every shot, eliminating blurry and out-of-focus images, so that large features can be covered in fewer images and shorter missions.

Globe Flight’s Anselm Doetterl concluded: “We are very happy about this new partnership with Phase One and are looking forward to the big, bright, positive future for both companies. We will be able to tackle new markets together, as new use cases are emerging every day in rail networks, transportation corridors, and agriculture.”

Learn more at https://geospatial.phaseone.com

NextNav Partners with Critical Response Group to Strengthen Mapping for Emergency Response

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:00:33 +0000

Vertical location will enable awareness and intelligence for mapping of schools, hospitals, public buildings

MCLEAN, Va. (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NextNav (Nasdaq: NN), a leader in next generation GPS, announced that it has partnered with Critical Response Group (CRG), a provider of best-in-class indoor and tactical mapping solutions for public safety to build highly accurate indoor maps with embedded vertical location data. By leveraging NextNav Pinnacle, CRG will strengthen its mapping capabilities which are relied upon by thousands of building owners and public safety agencies across the country.

CRG’s mapping data combines a gridded overlay, high resolution imagery, and floor plans together into one map to provide customers and public agencies with the situational awareness needed to improve emergency response coordination and ultimately help first responders get to people in need more quickly. The integration of the NextNav Pinnacle will strengthen existing and new building surveys with critical vertical location data, and help ensure that each building has the proper preparations and protocols in place to aid emergency response.

“Working with CRG, we’re strengthening preparedness and situational awareness at every step of the emergency response cycle,” said Dan Hight, Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at NextNav. “This partnership continues our efforts to leverage the use of NextNav Pinnacle in 3D and indoor mapping and builds on our deep legacy in helping service the public safety community. It also continues the growing adoption of vertical location capabilities by the enterprise to support use-cases in building management, lone-worker tracking, smart building initiatives, and digital twins.”

CRG specializes in enhancing public safety planning and response through the implementation of best-in-class indoor mapping data and the integration of the data into the technical systems utilized by our nation’s first responders. CRG’s product is utilized across a variety of organizations, including enterprise businesses, hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure sites. With these solutions and services, CRG is ushering in an era of preparedness across enterprises.

“By integrating vertical location into our CRG mapping data, we’re bringing unprecedented mapping intelligence to both private and public safety organizations,” said Mike Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer, at CRG. “We pride ourselves on providing solutions and services that our partners rely on in their most harrowing moments. With NextNav, we’re delivering even greater capabilities to enhance public safety outcomes for organizations of all sizes.”

NextNav Pinnacle covers over 4,400 cities and towns, as well 90% of buildings greater than three stories in the United States. Today, the vertical location network powers precise vertical location services across public safety, including delivering z-axis for E911 for a tier-one wireless carrier. The partnership builds on extensive work with other organizations across public safety, including FirstNet® Built with AT&T, Intrepid Networks, 3AM Innovations, TRX Systems and the Arlington County Fire Department.

Orolia’s John Fischer Receives the Institute of Navigation’s 2022 Distinguished PTTI Service Award

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 21:00:54 +0000

Fischer Honored for His Outstanding Contributions Related to Precise Time and Frequency Systems and Position, Navigation and Timing Applications

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Institute of Navigation (ION) presented John Fischer, vice president of advanced research and development for Orolia, with the prestigious Distinguished PTTI Service Award during the ION ITM/PTTI 2022 Meeting on January 27 in Long Beach, Calif. The international organization recognized Fischer’s pioneering research, patents, and leadership that pushed the boundaries of improving time and frequency solutions; and his prominent role in increasing global awareness of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technology.

“John is not only a leader and communicator but a significant inventor and innovator in the PNT community with patents for timing and positioning systems,” said Gregory M. Gutt, president and chief technology officer for Satelles. “John’s contributions to the development of Orolia’s SecureSync has revolutionized how secure PNT is delivered and produced as the leading product for data center applications worldwide.”

John Fischer has made significant contributions to the GNSS time synchronization technology landscape including a method for sub-nanosecond time synchronizing using RTK receivers. He also led the development of Orolia’s successful first-generation GNSS simulators, the GSG-5/6 to make this technology accessible and affordable.

“John is an outstanding speaker who engages his audiences directly and creates a high level of interest on topics that are somewhat complicated,” said Jim McCarthy, senior security engineer with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. “John is highly knowledgeable in his field and his level of expertise on the technical subject matter is well known throughout the industry.”

Fischer is a member of the Open PNT Alliance and GPS World Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. He earned a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computing Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

AMH Philippines and Synspective sign MoU for Strategic Alliance to use SAR Data for Geohazard Mitigation Projects in the Philippines

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 19:00:24 +0000

AMH Philippines, Inc. and Synspective have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to use SAR technology as part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to mitigate geohazards for infrastructure in the Philippines. The partnership includes the Land Displacement Monitoring (LDM) service, fully developed and automated by Synspective, and is empowered with AMH’s years of local experience in various projects in transportation infrastructure, energy, property, and mining sectors.

Background

AMH Philippines, Inc. is actively involved in various hazard mitigation and risk reduction projects in the Philippines. The Philippine archipelago, located in the Ring of Fire region and along a typhoon belt in the Pacific, is susceptible to various natural hazards such as earthquakes and rainfall-induced landslides, liquefaction, subsidence, storm surges and flooding.

Synspective is both a SAR satellite manufacturer/operator and a geospatial SaaS provider in Japan. LDM is one such service. Empowered by data science and machine learning, LDM aims to provide insightful analysis through ground deformation patterns on its dashboard. Synspective will promote LDM and its data to address various geohazards in the country and expand its global presence.

Joint efforts toward a common goal

Two parties will attempt to mutually leverage the strengths in their respective fields and deliver comprehensive end-to-end geohazard consultation to support local communities that are prone to frequent natural disasters.

Comments from leaders

AMH President, Jose Carlo Eric Santos

“This collaboration with Synspective is very much aligned with AMH’s policy of providing our clients with the best and most responsive engineering solutions. It is our hope that the utilization of SAR technology will contribute to our efforts of helping our clients, and the whole country, build safer and more resilient infrastructure and communities.”

Founder and CEO of Synspective, Dr. Motoyuki Arai

“It is a great honor to collaborate with AMH Philippines, Inc. to kick off our new exciting year. This partnership makes sense not only for Synspective’s plan for global expansion of operation but also from the context of leveraging AMH’s proven track record of reputable capability through thousands of local engineering consultations. We anticipate the essence of LDM will be of great value in building safer communities across the Philippines.”

Seiler Instrument Announces Acquisition of Assets to Expand Presence as a Geospatial Solutions Provider in Iowa and Illinois

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 20:00:34 +0000

LOUIS – Seiler Instrument & Mfg. Co., Inc. has acquired the assets of Precision Midwest to provide Trimble Geospatial products and solutions for the state of Iowa, all of Northern Illinois, and the northwest counties of Lake and Porter, Indiana. The asset purchase of Precision Midwest located in Plainfield, Illinois, will add to the existing Midwest presence of Seiler Geospatial as a leader in Survey, GPS, Robotics, LiDAR, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and software solutions.

Seiler Instrument’s corporate office headquarters is in St. Louis and has geospatial offices to serve its clients in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

Executive vice president Tom Seiler said, “We will soon have a new office located in Northern Illinois. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue growing the Seiler Geospatial team in Northern Illinois and Iowa leveraging our deep Trimble survey and mapping/GIS domain knowledge. Providing excellence in solutions and services is what our customers and organizations deserve and expect. Our goal is to be more than just a vendor; our goal is to be our customers most trusted and valued partner in helping grow their business.”

“I believe in being a trusted ally to our clients and providing them the best equipment and services to maximize their efficiency and productivity. I am excited to carry on this level of commitment and service to our clients as part of the Seiler Geospatial team,” said Todd Sleezer, strategic accounts manager, geospatial sales, Seiler Geospatial.

Seiler Instrument is an Authorized Trimble Distribution reseller of hardware and software since 1988, and a 30-year partner for Autodesk as a Gold Partner Reseller. Seiler operates a nationally recognized service and repair facility in Saint Louis, Missouri, and has four other service repair centers across the Midwest along with a new service repair center in Northern Illinois coming soon.

Golden Software Facilitates Map Making and Data Export in Latest Surfer® Surface Mapping Package

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 16:00:36 +0000

GOLDEN, Colorado – Golden Software, a developer of affordable 2D and 3D scientific modeling packages, has enhanced the map-making functionality and data exporting capabilities in the latest version of its Surfer surface mapping package.

“In this version, we focused on making it easier and faster for Surfer users to create the maps they envision without time-consuming workarounds or using other software,” said Kari Dickenson, Surfer Product Manager. “Surfer makes it easier to export data and grid files to a GIS or CAD package.”

The Surfer surface mapping software is used by more than 100,000 people worldwide, many involved in oil & gas exploration, environmental consulting, mining, engineering, and geospatial projects. The software has been relied upon for more than 30 years by users in numerous disciplines to easily visualize and interpret complex data sets.

Known for its fast and powerful contouring algorithms that regularly outperform more expensive packages, Surfer enables users to model data sets, apply an array of advanced analytics tools, and graphically communicate the results in ways anyone can understand.

Golden Software has made the following enhancements in the latest Surfer version:

Scale Bars and Color Bars now have frames with outlines and background fill colors to make them more aesthetic and easier to read when placed on top of maps. Previously, this was a time-consuming multi-step process in which the user had to draw polygons and place them behind the scale and color bars.

3D Surface Map in 2D Plot Window allows the user to fill the sides of the 3D surface layers down to a customized Z value. This is especially useful when overlaying surface maps to create a block model, so the user can fill the side down to any value, including zero, instead of the grid minimum.

Attribute Data can now be exported as numeric data. In the past, Surfer converted numbers to text when saving the worksheet to a DBF or when exporting base layers to SHP/DBF or data files. Numeric values are now retained during both exporting functions.

Grid Files can be saved as GeoTIFFs, or Tagged Image File Format, which allows for easy data compatibility with other software packages such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Global Mapper, and USGS DEM File Reader.

Digitizing in the 3D View allows the user to click on spot locations on drillhole paths, surface layers and other features in the 3D View and capture the X, Y and Z coordinates of the locations clicked.

Info Page in Properties for Grid-Based Layers is updated to display commonly used information about the grid file used to create the layer, such as information about the file itself, the XY geometry, and Z statistics. This information previously could only be obtained through a multi-step reporting process.

Surfer Beta Available

As is the tradition, Golden Software has released a Beta version of Surfer simultaneously with the new version to give customers a chance to try out new features while they are still in development. Users may find the Beta version by clicking File | Online from within Surfer.

“We are making it easier to edit vector and grid files in the Beta capabilities now available,” said Dickenson.

Here are the new features available in Beta now, to be officially included in the Spring 2022 release of Surfer:

Coordinate Conversion for Base Layers – For users who import vector base layers in local coordinate systems (e.g., from DXF, SHP, or XLSX files), Surfer now allows them to set up mathematical calculations to reposition the data or simple georeferencing operations to convert the data into standard systems, such as Lat/Lon, UTM, or State Plane Coordinate System. This conversion makes it easier to overlay the vector data with other map layers or to use the converted data to create a grid file.
View Base and Post Layers in Grid Editor – Edit a grid from the plot window and when the grid opens in the Grid Editor, any post or base layers in the map are also displayed in the Grid Editor. This allows the user to easily edit the grid relative to background imagery, control points, coastlines, buildings, roads, or other objects in a background map or overlay.

Geo Week 2022

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 20:10:42 +0000

February 6-8, 2022
Colorado Convention Center Denver, CO, USA

Geo Week is the intersection of geospatial + the built world. The event brings together AEC Next Expo & Conference, SPAR 3D Expo & Conference and the International Lidar Mapping Forum into a single powerhouse event. Co-located partner events include USIBD, ASPRS, MAPPS Annual Meeting. Industries covered include Architecture, Engineering & Construction; Asset & Facility Management; Disaster & Emergency Response; Earth Observation & Satellite Applications; Energy & Utilities, Infrastructure & Transportation; Land & Natural Resource Management, Mining & Aggregates, Surveying & Mapping, and Urban Planning/Smart Cities. The combined conference program and tradeshow floor will feature commercial applications of 3D technologies, innovations and case studies in the built environment, advanced airborne and terrestrial remote sensing solutions, smart products for a full project team and much more! Professionals from a range of disciplines will network and gain insight into the increasing confluence of their worlds, providing even more opportunities to support the next generation of digital technology. It is presented by Geo Week News and organized by Diversified Communications, a global event producer that also organizes Commercial UAV Expo Americas, Commercial UAV Expo Europe (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Digital Construction Week and GEO Business Show (London, UK).

Visit www.geo-week.com for more info.

HERE releases global library of terrestrial lidar data for real-world 3D modeling applications

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 22:00:53 +0000

Laser-based measurement at foundation of “digital twin” technology and high-definition mapping applications.
HERE Lidar Data available for 50+ countries in LAS and LAZ data formats.

CES 2022 – HERE Technologies, the leading location data and technology platform, today announced the company’s global library of three-dimensional lidar data (Light Detection and Ranging) is now available on the HERE Platform. HERE Lidar Data captures millions of kilometers of roadways and their surroundings in high-fidelity across more than 50 countries and territories.

Lidar data delivers powerful 3D modeling capabilities that enable “digital twin” representations of reality. HERE Lidar Data enables users to create a “digital twin” representation of reality with the identification, classification and localization of objects within +/- 2 centimeters of relative accuracy within the lidar point clouds.

HERE Lidar Data supports a colorized feature that infuses each point with an RGB value for improved visual contrast of real-world objects within the point cloud.

HERE Lidar Data use case examples across the public and private sectors include:

Public sector departments and transportation agencies can access highly precise geospatial data for virtualized infrastructure asset management, road network planning, traffic congestion analysis and federal reporting requirements.
Engineering, architecture and design firms can receive unparalleled datasets to perform site selection analysis and design impact simulations, with HERE Lidar Data easily integrating with Building Information Modelling (BIM) software.
Energy utilities and telecommunications companies can conduct centralized pole/wire inventory management and assessment. Lidar data provides the telecommunications industry with the 3D map data used to optimize 5G network planning and design.

“HERE is excited to offer customers across the public and private sectors simplified access to this powerful data set,” said Jørgen Behrens, Chief Product Officer at HERE Technologies. “Users can request HERE Lidar Data as-a-service, or they can access the company’s global library of 3D point clouds via the HERE Platform. Our goal is to help decrease the time and cost associated with commissioning traditional data collection surveys.”

HERE captures the world’s road networks and urban environments from hundreds of data sources, including its fleet of Lidar sensor and 360° camera-equipped vehicles. HERE utilizes the lidar 3D point clouds as a foundational data source for the company’s various 3D and HD map content products.

At CES 2022, HERE will highlight the capabilities of HERE Lidar Data in conjunction with its partner discussion with Bentley Systems. Enterprises and professionals can leverage HERE Lidar Data using Bentley’s Orbit 3DM, a cloud-based visualization software, to design, build and operate infrastructure more efficiently, reducing site visits and data collection time while accelerating project design and construction time.

Trimble Expands Sensor Integration and Support for its Geospatial Monitoring Solution

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 17:00:33 +0000

Trimble 4D Control Adds Support for the Trimble SX Series Scanning Total Station and Trimble Access Software; Integrates Vibration and Weather Sensors Creating a Comprehensive Monitoring Solution

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced the latest version of its core geospatial automated monitoring software—Trimble® 4D Control version 6.3. The software provides automated movement detection to enable informed decisions about infrastructure for surveying, construction and monitoring professionals. Version 6.3 adds new capabilities for the software to work in combination with the Trimble SX Series Scanning Total Stations’ advanced imaging and measurement capabilities. This version also supports industry-leading vibration and weather station sensors and a streamlined workflow between the Trimble Access Monitoring Module in the field with the new T4D Access Edition used in the office.

Enhancements made to Trimble’s core geospatial monitoring software provide increased accuracy; simplified sensor data collection, reporting and alarms; and make it possible to seamlessly move from semi-automated to fully automated monitoring on a project.

Superior Accuracy and Image Quality

Integrating with the Trimble SX Series Scanning Total Station, T4D users benefit from Trimble VISION imaging technology and high-accuracy Lightning 3DM technology for more accurate measurements, enabling a more dense target placement on linear corridors such as rail tracks, tunnels, roads and bridges. A live video feed makes it possible to better understand site conditions, manage target placement remotely and capture images for use with T4D visual inspection capabilities. These images can be compared over time and viewed next to the displacement or movement charts. This enables users to identify the potential cause of displacement and record movement changes over time.

Sensor Integration for Complete Data and Increased Confidence

Users can now integrate industry-leading solutions from Syscom and Vaisala with T4D version 6.3. Vibration sensors from Syscom allow surveying, civil and geotechnical engineers to easily combine geodetic and geotechnical information supporting high frequency and event-based vibration information. This data is often used for mandatory reporting on civil and infrastructure projects. Integration with the Vaisala weather station enables users to analyze the impact of environmental conditions such as temperature, rainfall, wind and atmospheric pressure in combination with other geospatial and geotechnical monitoring information, which is useful for slope stability analysis in mining, landslide and dam monitoring operations.

Ease of Transition from Semi- to Fully Automated Monitoring

With the introduction of the new T4D Access Edition, customers can now benefit from the automated, seamless transfer of field data from the Trimble Access Monitoring Module to the T4D Access software in the office. This enables users to scale monitoring operations from a semi-automated to fully automated monitoring system while maintaining the continuity of historical data in the same charts and reports.

“By integrating T4D with the Trimble SX Series Scanning Total Stations and Trimble Access Monitoring Module, we are providing customers access to a wider Trimble solution set for monitoring applications,” said Boris Skopljak, business area director of Monitoring and Tunneling, Trimble Geospatial. “We are also continuing to expand support for additional sensors such as Syscom’s vibration sensor and Vaisala’s weather station. This enables our customers to leverage an even more comprehensive, turn-key solution.”

Availability

The new version of T4D Control is available now. For more information visit: https://monitoring.trimble.com/blog/latest-releases-trimble-monitoring.

Bentley Systems Announces Seequent’s Acquisition of Advanced Resources and Risk Technology (AR2Tech)

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 15:00:53 +0000

Bringing State-of-the-Art Geostatistical Algorithms to the Geomodeling Community
to Solve Complex Geospatial Problems

EXTON, Pa. – Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY), the infrastructure engineering software company, announced that its Seequent business unit has acquired Denver-based Advanced Resources and Risk Technology, LLC (AR2Tech), a developer of geostatistical software applications. The acquisition provides Seequent with state-of-the-art geostatistics algorithms, technology, and IP for complex geospatial problem solving, complementing its geological modeling solutions and workflows, to help solve earth, environmental, and resources challenges.

AR2Tech represents a new generation of geostatistics and spatial data analysis solutions for mining, environmental sciences, and energy. Its state-of-the-art, high-performance algorithms and workflows for cloud and desktop enable users to create and optimize a diverse set of models, even with millions of cells, without performance bottlenecks. AR2Tech’s algorithm library can be applied to a wide range of geostatistical modeling and data science methods, supporting functions that are data-centric and rely on machine learning. Solutions can be used stand alone or integrated with other software, including Seequent’s Leapfrog 3D geological modeling solutions.

Mining companies use AR2Tech’s solutions for geostatistical modeling for conditional simulation and estimation models of complex orebodies, with algorithms customized for specific deposits. Environmental sciences professionals use customized workflows for data management, spatial evaluation, and risk assessment, designed for applications including stochastic simulation of the subsurface for water modeling, sampling evaluation and strategy, integration of remote sensing data in the geostatistical model, and characterization of pollutants.

AR2Tech’s geostatistical library offers a state-of-the-art version of all foundational geostatistical algorithms, with a user interface to leverage the power of these algorithms.

Graham Grant, chief executive officer of Seequent, said, “We’re delighted to welcome to Seequent the elite and talented AR2Tech team in Denver and Brazil. AR2Tech’s technology stack and world-leading expertise in geostatistics, geomodeling, and spatial data integration strengthen Seequent’s capabilities in these areas. The acquisition will help accelerate our development of new geostatistics solutions and create seamless end-to-end workflows with Seequent’s advanced modeling solutions. We’re excited to make this investment for our mining, environmental, civil, and energy users to take geomodeling to the next level.”

AR2Tech founder Dr Alexandre Boucher said, “We’re proud to be joining Seequent and sharing our cloud-first approach to solving geosciences challenges. With Seequent, we will realize our goal of bringing the next generation of geostatistical algorithms to the geomodeling community. We have developed and optimized algorithms for geomodeling for over a decade, including conditional simulations for risk and uncertainty studies. Combining forces with Seequent, we can create new practical and accessible solutions for geoscience professionals.”

For more information, please visit https://www.ar2tech.com/.

AR2Tech’s algorithm library and engine for geostatistical modeling can be implemented in mining to enable conditional simulation and estimation models of complex orebodies. Its direct block simulation algorithm allows the generation and validation of large models more efficiently. In addition, it enables and automates multivariate simulations on point or block support, simulation of geology with indicator or training images, and customization of algorithms.

Trimble Establishes Dr. Gladys West Scholarship Program

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:00:52 +0000

Scholarship Program to Honor Technology Pioneer and Hidden Figure Who Helped Invent GPS

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced a scholarship program to honor Dr. Gladys West, a pioneer in mathematics, minority advancement and the advent of the Global Positioning System (GPS)—one of our most widely used innovations throughout the world. Known today as the hidden figure who helped invent GPS, Dr. West is one of the reasons why consumers can receive driving directions from a phone or tag a photo location on social media. And why professionals in industrial markets such as construction, transportation and agriculture can leverage geospatial technology to realize significant improvements in productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability to transform the way they work with precision.

Dr. West knew from a young age that education would be the key to moving forward from her family farm in rural Virginia. A scholarship recipient herself, Dr. West earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mathematics and was offered a position in 1956 with Virginia’s Naval Proving Ground—now called the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Hired as a mathematician, she was one of only four African American employees at the time and only the second woman of color.

With her intelligence and computational skills recognized, she quickly climbed the ranks and became project manager for the Seasat radar altimetry project in the 1960s. Knowledge gained through that work enabled her to program an IBM computer to calculate an accurate geodetic Earth model—the detailed mathematical model of the shape of the Earth that is the essential building block for GPS.

That tenacity, talent and enterprising fortitude encapsulates the spirit of Trimble’s scholarship program designed to honor Dr. West’s contributions to science and the geospatial industry.

“It’s fitting to announce this special scholarship program following Dr. West’s 91st birthday. A woman who helped pave the path to GPS—the technology that was not only core for Trimble’s early business but provided the catalyst to create the geospatial industry. This path to innovation has given us the tools to not only navigate and model our world but to transform work in our lives every day,” said Rob Painter, Trimble CEO. “Just as Dr. West viewed education as the pathway for the future, we are excited by the opportunity to support a new generation of stars to help them pursue their educational journey.”

“We must appreciate our past, learn in the present and prepare those behind us for the future. We must encourage our youth to pursue a higher-level education so that they will be equipped to change the world. We must be willing to use our talents and strengths to work for the betterment of the world,” said Dr. West.

Supported by the Trimble Foundation, a donor-advised fund, the Dr. West scholarship program will enable Virginia State University, North Carolina A&T State University and Florida International University to award a 4-year scholarship to one student each year. These universities were carefully chosen to reflect Dr. West as a woman of color and science, and to align with two of the Trimble Foundation’s key support pillars: female education and empowerment and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Virginia State University—Dr. West’s alma mater and a Historically Black College and University (HBCU)—will award the Dr. Gladys West “Constellation” Scholarship from Trimble to a student in the College of Engineering and Technology. In addition, the VSU scholarship is also being matched by an anonymous donor. North Carolina A&T State University—a top-ranked public HBCU—will award the Dr. Gladys West HBCU Scholarship from Trimble to a student in the College of Engineering. And Florida International University—a minority serving institution—will award the Dr. Gladys West Trimble Technology Lab Scholarship to a first generation student in the College of Engineering & Computing. The scholarship is also being matched. FIU is the home to a recently established Trimble Technology Lab, which provides students hands-on access to Trimble technologies within the Moss Department of Construction Management.

About Dr. Gladys West

Dr. Gladys Mae West (born on Oct. 27, 1930) is an American mathematician known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of the satellite geodesy models that were eventually incorporated into GPS. She was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018. As an alumna of Virginia State University, Dr. West was nominated and won the award for “Female Alumna of the Year” at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Awards sponsored by HBCU Digest in 2018. Dr. West was also selected by the BBC as part of their 100 Women of 2018. In 2021, she was awarded the Prince Philip Medal by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering, their highest individual honor.

Dr. West graduated from her high school as valedictorian in 1948, which helped her secure a scholarship to study at Virginia State University, where she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Dr. West taught science and math in Waverly, Virginia for two years before returning to VSU for her Master’s degree in Mathematics, which she received in 1955. Dr. West retired in 1998 and suffered a stroke only five months later. Determined to obtain a PhD, she worked on rebuilding her strength and recovering her lost mobility; and in 2018 she received a PhD in Public Administration from Virginia Tech.

Pix4D is at InterGeo to showcase terrestrial RTK scanning solutions, new licenses and promotions

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 17:00:41 +0000

Lausanne, Switzerland: Pix4D, the market leader in photogrammetry solutions, is attending the Intergeo 2021 conference to share its latest news and technological developments. This includes live demos of its terrestrial data collection hardware and software solution of PIX4Dcatch and the viDoc RTK rover for iPhone Pro and iPad Pro, as well as the newest updates for geospatial power products PIX4Dmatic and PIX4Dsurvey, and information about their own upcoming User Conference in October.

Coinciding with Intergeo is Pix4D’s launch of PIX4Dmatic 1.19 and PIX4Dsurvey 1.18. Both of these products are strengthening Pix4D’s geospatial portfolio as they have received significant development and investment since their unveiling. Now they can process LiDAR and photogrammetry datasets in the same project, getting the best of both forms of data collection. In addition, PIX4Dsurvey now includes volume measurements in its workflow, adding to its utility in working with vectorizing and generating a TIN of projects to prepare them for CAD. Both of these updates are being launched with a novel perpetual license scheme along with the existing subscriptions, as well as pricing adjustments and promotional discounts for the rest of 2021 to celebrate their impact.

“We are excited to attend Intergeo and see other geospatial professionals and specialists as we share our experiences and ideas,” says Pix4D CEO and co-founder Christoph Strecha. “We’ll also be providing live demos of the viDoc RTK rover to show users how they can get professional results with Pix4D software and a consumer mobile device – an iPhone or iPad. It’s exciting to be able to interact in person in a safe environment.”

As Pix4D celebrated its 10 year anniversary this year, the Intergeo event is a great opportunity for Pix4D to highlight what a decade of experience brings, and what functionalities the latest photogrammetry software can achieve. With sales representatives on hand, the Pix4D team will be presenting to, sharing with, and hearing from experts from all across the industry, and spreading the word about the upcoming Pix4D User Conference in October.

U.S. Army’s Sentinel A4 Radar Program Receives Orolia M-Code Solution

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 12:00:51 +0000

Orolia Defense & Security Delivers M-Code Enabled Timing & Sync to Lockheed Martin

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In September 2019, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to develop the U.S. Army’s Sentinel A4 system, an air and missile defense radar that will provide improved capability against dynamic threats. The following November, Orolia Defense & Security announced the availability of M-Code Military GPS receivers in its flagship SecureSync® – the first Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) approved time server.

In May 2021, Orolia delivered a shipment of M-Code enabled SecureSync mission timing and synchronization units to Lockheed Martin, marking another key milestone for the Army program. SecureSync with M-Code provides enhanced resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities and improved resistance to existing and emerging GPS threats, such as jamming and spoofing.

Lockheed Martin selected Orolia’s SecureSync M-Code as the system’s resilient time and frequency reference solution in part due to its modular, open architecture – the same characteristics that are the cornerstone of the radar’s design – making integration a simple process and ensuring future upgrades.

“As a trusted Lockheed Martin partner, Orolia is proud to support the development of the Sentinel A4, which will be a key asset to our warfighters for decades to come,” said Hironori Sasaki, President of Orolia Defense & Security. “Making M-Code available now in a readily configurable and scalable form factor is a critical step in advancing our forces out in the field, whether in the air or on the ground,” Sasaki added.

The next generation of US military systems are fortified with M-Code, and Orolia leads the industry in M-Code solutions for Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) environments.

About Orolia Defense & Security
Orolia Defense & Security provides Resilient PNT solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, defense organizations, and their contractors. Orolia Defense & Security is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies. www.OroliaDS.com

Bentley Systems Announces Seequent’s Acquisition of Aarhus GeoSoftware

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 18:00:54 +0000

Enriching Subsurface Digital Twins through Electromagnetic Remote Sensing for Water, Environmental, and Infrastructure Resilience

EXTON, Pa. – Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY), the infrastructure engineering software company, today announced that its Seequent business unit has acquired Danish company Aarhus GeoSoftware, a developer of geophysical software. The acquisition extends Seequent’s solutions for operational ground water management, and for sustainability projects involving exploration, contaminants, and infrastructure resilience.

Aarhus GeoSoftware, a spinoff company from Aarhus University in Denmark, develops the software packages AGS Workbench, SPIA, Res2DInv, and Res3DInv for the processing, inversion, and visualization of geophysical data from ground-based and airborne electromagnetic (EM), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) remote sensing, and other sources. AGS software enables users to create 2D and 3D images of subsurface electrical resistivity. The outputs of the software can be used to distinguish and differentiate subsurface materials and can subsequently be modeled in Seequent’s Leapfrog to aid in various subsurface investigations.

The software uses electric field measurements, collected at ground level or with airborne sensors, to map the subsurface distribution of certain materials such as water, mineral deposits, and clays. Electrical resistivity allows a better understanding of the distribution of materials such as water, mineral deposits, and clays, and when the water contains other compounds such as salt, researchers and industry professionals can infer the distribution.

Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) remote sensing is used to collect extensive volumes of data from an aircraft. A sensor loop below a helicopter or small plane transmits an electromagnetic signal to the earth. Based on the subsurface properties, a secondary field is created and measured at the aircraft. These data are then processed to estimate subsurface electrical properties. The AGS Workbench software is used for processing, inversion, and visualization of the data collected by AEM and other geophysical methods. Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) remote sensing uses electromagnetic induction to collect extensive volumes of data from an aircraft. It is a fast and cost-effective way of subsurface mapping, can cover large areas (10s-1000s of km2) in a few days, requires no new drilling or ground access, and, using 3D modeling and visualization software, has a quick turnaround for mapping the subsurface. The technique involves a helicopter or a small airplane towing a sensor loop approximately 100 feet (30 meters) above the ground. This generates an electromagnetic signal transmitted into the earth based on the subsurface properties, thereby a secondary field is created and measured at the aircraft. These data are then processed to estimate subsurface electrical properties. Depending on resistivity or conductivity, the returned signal helps geoscientists establish the nature of the subsurface.

The genesis of AGS software was to ensure clean drinking water for future generations by mapping groundwater across Denmark. It is now used in many different areas, including locating subsurface faults and cavities to mitigate construction risk, in mining for investigating orebodies and waste rock and tailing processes, monitoring movements of groundwater and contaminants to help understand environmental impacts, modeling dam and tunnel stability, and assessing landslide risk to gauge asset resilience or construction plan impacts. Seequent will continue its tradition of collaborating with universities and research organizations worldwide through ongoing engagement with Aarhus University for the development of AGS geophysical solutions.

Graham Grant, chief executive officer of Seequent, said, “The acquisition will add new geophysical data processing capabilities to our workflows to help advance subsurface investigation and modeling. AGS software, coupled with Seequent’s advanced geologic modeling and analysis software, creates a key tool in helping understand and manage groundwater and assessing risk in infrastructure such as dams and canals. We’re excited about the new possibilities this opens up for our collective users worldwide, improving life-time digital twins.”

Sensing data processed and inverted in AGS Workbench software can then be combined in Seequent’s Leapfrog Works to create a 3D model that gives a detailed overview of resources. The above image is a hydrogeological map of the subsurface of the Principal Aquifer (and parts of the Ogallala Aquifer) in Nebraska, United States. Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) remote sensing was used to capture data from the 4,000-square-mile study area. The color-coded volumes represent eight resistivity categories. Higher resistivity values are represented as yellow to red (sand and gravel), lower resistivity values are represented as blue to green (clay and silt), and brown represents bedrock.

Toke Højbjerg Søltoft, chief executive officer of Aarhus GeoSoftware, said, “Seequent’s global reach will allow AGS software to positively impact more projects worldwide. As we continue to develop solutions, our users will benefit from our tools being in Seequent’s ecosystem and workflow. We’re excited to join Seequent and to work together on our shared vision of helping organizations make more informed and sustainable decisions through a better understanding of the subsurface.”

NEW SOFTWARE SYSTEM AIMS TO TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF BUSINESS GROWTH

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:00:51 +0000

A USER-FRIENDLY business management system aimed at helping ambitious companies to reach the next level of success is being launched.

Kompass BMS will target service-based companies with 20 to 250 employees who require software at an accessible price to manage their projects and staff while growing their business.

The innovative system has been in development for more than 15 years and has underpinned the impressive growth of one of Europe’s leading geospatial survey companies, Murphy Geospatial.

The team behind the web-based system says it will seamlessly integrate a company’s sales, operations, finance, and HR functions whilst providing game-changing business insights that will save time and money as well as improve communications.

Its features are ideal for companies dealing with remote working as it allows managers and their teams to work in real-time; keeping track of projects, people and performance, enabling them to act quickly in changing requirements. The team says that it would be an ideal tool for geospatial firms and other crew-based service companies.

Having worked on thousands of projects since it began as a small family-run business in the 1980s, Murphy Geospatial realised that it needed a focused management tool to keep track of its work as it grew over the years.

The company decided to develop its own system, Kompass, having researched many larger enterprise resource management systems which it says can require weeks of training to use. Kompass has now been spun out from Murphy Geospatial as a separate entity in its own right and a standalone website has been launched to offer the service to a wider market.

“We understand the pain and challenges that growing a business can bring, with people struggling to divide their time, leaving them feeling overworked and unable to keep on top of things. We have been in that situation ourselves as senior managers and business owners,” said Kompass BMS managing director Kai Duebbert.

As a fast-growing business in a highly competitive market, Murphy Geospatial struggled with delegating tasks and obtaining the right information at the right time, to make important – and shareable – scheduling, resourcing, and other strategic business decisions.

“We were tripping over each other with ineffective and inconsistent data in spreadsheets and we were unsure about what work was coming from our sales and quotes pipeline,” said Niall Murphy, managing director of Murphy Geospatial.

“That meant we were struggling with reacting quickly to our clients’ ever-changing requirements, resulting in long hours, stress, lower than ideal productivity, and unhappy staff and customers.

“Many companies are on the same journey that we were on in the beginning. We spent a long time trying, unsuccessfully, to find a business management system that could work for us until we finally decided to design our own.”

The system expertly fills a gap in the market for other companies. Already, several early adopters in Ireland and the US have started to use it over the last year.

“It’s crucial that when a project goes live, your team knows what they are meant to do and where they need to be,” added Niall. “The sales team needs to know the availability that’s there, and management needs to know what pipeline is in place so that resources can be planned accordingly. Kompass can help do all that with the addition of being intuitive and easy to use.”

Kompass hopes to attract interest from service-based firms in the geospatial and other sectors in the US, Canada, Ireland, and the UK who have between 20 and 250 employees and who do not yet have an integrated system but are looking to expand.

As well as a dashboard view with key up-to-date business metrics and insights, scheduled updates, and client contacts, the modules include a sales section, HR information, and an important project management functionality.

Being web-based and cloud-based, it does not require special software and can be accessed via a mobile phone, tablet, or PC from anywhere with an internet connection.

As well as being able to create quotes and tasks and assign them to staff, Kompass is built on a GIS platform that records the project coordinates and the history of each job, helping to see what other projects were completed in an area to gain a competitive advantage.

“We built it from a business owner’s point of view. Now, when we’re demonstrating our system to new customers, they can really see how it will help them. It gives them some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Kai.

To find out more about Kompass BMS and to book a demonstration, visit the website at https://www.kompassbms.com

MG AEC Technology Partners Hosts Innovative ‘Power of Where’ Symposium, Illustrating How Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industries, Partnered With Geographic Information Systems, Transform the World’s Built Environment

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 16:00:55 +0000

Industry leaders share breakthroughs, best practices, and how exactly next-generation spatial intelligence programs can and will shape the future

Chicago—MG AEC Technology Partners, process innovation specialist to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry for more than 70 years, will host an online “Power of Where” forum on June 15, 2021, at 11:00AM CDT. The symposium offers an insightful exploration of the intersection between the building information modeling (BIM) and geographic information systems (GIS) movements. These continually evolving software technologies inform all design, development, and construction decision-making.

MG AEC’s “Power of Where” is cosponsored by Esri, the world’s leading developer of GIS technologies, and Autodesk, a global leader in 3-D design, engineering, and construction software.

During the panel discussion, five leaders from the AEC industry will discuss how location intelligence technology can and does predict what future built environments can become and how AEC professionals can better address many key issues people face throughout the world. The “Power of Where” symposium series was created to bring future vision to present-day life.

“At MG AEC Technology Partners, we’ve been disrupting the status quo in design technology innovation for decades; it’s our job,” says CEO Scott Bailey. “With this series, we wanted to set the bar for exploring how best to achieve quantum improvements in AEC project design and construction, and we’re achieving exactly that”

“Anyone who works in this field knows how quickly the technology changes and improves,” says Brey Tucker, “Power of Where” panelist and senior industry manager for AEC at Autodesk. “It’s invaluable to come together, see where we’re at, and assess not just where we’re going but also how we’re going to get there.”

“No one else in the industry is doing anything quite like this—each “Power of Where” discussion is becoming a “don’t miss” appointment for anyone in the BIM and GIS world,” says Marc Goldman, panelist and director of AEC Industry Solutions at Esri. “The importance of integrating people and systems has become one of the key topics in our industry, and we’re always excited to share stories and real-world experiences about how people use these technologies to further this work.”

Other “Power of Where” panelists include Zachary Jaffe, GIS leader at Landtech Inc.; Anita Soni, senior BIM manager at Skanska; Gideon Simons, principal geospatial consultant at Arcadis in the UK; Marci Carrillo, team leader and vice president at Psomas; and Steve Mulberry, geospatial innovation strategist, Continental Mapping/GIS, Inc.

The “Power of Where” symposium will be moderated by Stan Hennigh, Esri partnership manager at MG AEC Technology Partners, and Jennifer McGregor, director of strategic partnerships at MG AEC Technology Partners. In addition to the invited speakers’ project presentations, the symposium will include a question-and-answer session.

WHAT: A one-of-a-kind symposium drawing industry leaders to discuss the BIM-to-GIS movement in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries

WHY: The advent of the BIM-to-GIS movement provides deeper vision and insight for the design, construction, and operation of 21st-century infrastructure and building projects

WHEN: Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 11AM CDT

WHERE: The event is virtual. Register here.

The “Power of Where” series is four separate forums, each addressing current thinking, trends, and needs in the industry. Access the first forum discussion here. Future forums will address new innovations in the commercial real estate industry and the emerging field of digital twin technology.

More About MG AEC Technology Partners
MG’s mission is to build partnerships within the AEC community that drive economic prosperity and create an environment that inspires innovation and growth for both clients and staff. MG’s formula for success is simple: we are passionate innovators who take a continuous-learning stance, follow our curiosity to test ideas, and work closely with our partners to propel the industry forward.

More About Esri
The global market leader in GIS software, location intelligence, and mapping helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, Calif., Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations globally and more than 200,000 institutions in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and universities. With its pioneering commitment to GIS, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions for digital transformation, the internet of things (IoT), and advanced analytics.

ATLAS | Automating territory segmentation on satellite imagery – WEBINAR

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:51:13 +0000

Aired: Feb 11, 2021 10:00 AM CST

Satellite is an efficient method of obtaining images for large areas – hundreds of square kilometres. Despite the lack of resolution compared to drones, satellite images are very suitable for special types of object detection, counting and territory segmentation in agriculture, urban planning, disaster response. The webinar will demonstrate how to obtain satellite data for your projects and benefit from AI-powered analysis of ATLAS.

The webinar is organised in collaboration of ATLAS (by SPH Engineering) – the AI-powered geospatial analysis platform and Planet – the leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions.

What will you learn:
– Satellite imagery made accessible
– How to obtain satellite imagery
– Drone survey vs. satellite imagery – which to choose?
– Analysing satellite imagery with ATLAS
– Automating territory segmentation with ATLAS

Choosing the Right Antenna for GPR Investigations

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 10:44:09 +0000

Look for the highest frequency that can detect objects at the desired depth

By Jami Harmon

Antennas used with ground penetrating radar (GPR) come in different shapes and sizes. The largest antennas typically radiate lower frequencies necessary to detect the deepest targets. The smallest antennas radiate the highest frequencies that provide the greatest resolution required to detect small, shallow targets. The “best” antenna for a job is the one with the highest frequency that can still detect objects at the desired depth. Mark DeSchepper, President of Kansas-based Echo GPR Services, has more than 12 years of GPR experience and offers some great examples of how to select the right antenna.

The Importance of selecting the right antenna for the desired depth

Selecting the right antenna for the depth of the particular target is critical. If the antenna frequency is too high, the maximum detection depth may be less than needed to find the desired target. The GPR image quality deteriorates with increasing depth to the point where no reflections can be observed. Conversely, if the antenna frequency is too low, fine details are lost. For example, if using the wrong antenna, individual closely-spaced shallow targets cannot be identified because they may appear as a continuous reflection band.

Local supermarket hired Echo GPR to conduct a GPR scan to avoid losing power to cash registers or cutting refrigeration pipes in recent renovation project.

When assessing which antenna to choose for a job it is essential to consider the surface cover and soil present. One important parameter is the material’s conductivity—how well does the soil, asphalt, or concrete let an electrical current pass through it? The higher the material’s conductivity, the more the radar waves are absorbed into the material as they are moving through it. In other words, the radar waves’ depth penetration progressively decreases as the conductivity of a material increases. For example, asphalt typically has low conductivity, while concrete has varying degrees of conductivity depending on its curing state, wetness, and composition. Soil conductivity varies wildly, from radar-friendly sandy soils to radar-foe clay soils.

For this reason, antenna depth specifications are based on the material and application. Antenna specifications for soil-based applications use soil information, while concrete-based applications use typical concrete parameters.

Other factors to consider when assessing depth penetration include the presence of metal reinforcing between the surface and the target. The tighter the rebar or mesh spacing (for example, in a concrete slab), the more difficult it is to achieve the desired depth penetration.

A closer look at antenna bandwidth ranges

GPR antennas send out a range of radio frequencies and generally have an ideal frequency at which they transmit most efficiently. This value is based on the size of the antenna’s transmitter and receiver elements and is often referred to as the antenna’s “center-frequency.” Another often-used term is the antenna’s bandwidth, the range of frequencies that the antenna transmits at power levels that are within half the power level radiated at the antenna’s center-frequency. A typical GPR antenna’s bandwidth is about the same as its center frequency.

For example, a 400 megahertz (MHz) GPR antenna will have a center-frequency of 400 MHz and a range of frequencies radiated at power levels within half the power level at 400 MHz – from 200 MHz to 600 MHz. The bandwidth would therefore be 600 – 200 = 400 MHz. Likewise, a 900 MHz GPR antenna could have a bandwidth that extends from possibly 450 MHz to 1350 MHz.

This bandwidth range means that small changes in center-frequency provide minimal enhancement in penetration depth. That is why GPR antennas are not typically available in small frequency increments. More commonly, antennas are available in center-frequencies that are doubled, such as 2000 MHz, 400 MHz, 800 MHz, 1.6 MHz and 2.6 MHz.

Range of available antenna frequencies, their depth of penetration and applications for which each is most suited.

Selecting the right antenna

Selecting the right antenna frequency for a GPR job depends on the size and depth of the target. A lower frequency antenna will provide deeper penetration, but the tradeoff is that the targets must be larger to be detected.

When looking only 1-2 feet beneath the surface, for example, when imaging in concrete and looking for very small reinforcing and conduits, use a higher frequency GPR antenna, which offers greater detail. For deeper targets or characteristics, the primary and secondary choices are lower frequency antennas. These allow users to see deeper but one trades off the ability to resolve smaller or very shallow features and targets.

When scanning utilities, the mid-range antennas provide sufficient resolution to find 4-5 inch pipes at four to five deep. The general rule of thumb for utility locating is a 1:1 ratio; for every foot down, one inch in diameter is required to return a strong hyperbolic reflection of a potential target. To scan deeper, for example, mapping geological features 20-50 feet deep, low frequency antennas will work, because very high resolution is not required.

Using a 2 GHz Palm antenna, the contractor located the plastic-capped rebar thread couplers in the Z axis.

Antenna selection based on a solid understanding of customer goals

According to DeSchepper, antenna selection should be based on a pre-job conversation that establishes an understanding of the depth of the investigation and what the customer wants to accomplish. Comfort, convenience, and safety when working on a ladder or overhead is another consideration.

Echo works extensively with electricians and plumbers who are remodeling existing buildings. “We do everything from a local grocery store that wants to install new plumbing in the floor and needs to locate existing utilities and underground conduits – all the way up to nuclear power plants,” says DeSchepper. In addition, the Echo GPR team works in commercial remodels of strip malls, office spaces, and office retail spaces, and has performed GPR scans at all the hospitals in Kansas City. They also work for geotechnical and environmental firms to locate underground storage tanks.

DeSchepper explains that grocery stores cannot afford to accidentally cut power to their cash registers. Also, they may have underground refrigeration pipes that run to their coolers. The last thing they want to do is cut into these refrigeration pipes, which would result in downtime, potential environmental issues, and even store evacuation.

Here are a few real world examples of antenna selection, taken from the nearly 8,000 GPR scans Echo has performed across the United States:

Simple concrete cutting or core drilling

For simple concrete cutting or core drilling, Echo GPR opts for one of the higher frequency antennas, like the 1600 MHz or 2600 MHz antenna. “I usually reach for the 2600 MHz antenna first. This is the highest frequency and gives the highest resolution. But higher resolution gives less depth of investigation. If the project is in a thicker concrete environment, we will switch out to a 1600 MHz antenna, which is a very sharp resolution antenna but can penetrate a bit deeper into the ground” DeSchepper says.

Working upside down and on a ladder

Currently, Echo GPR is working on a basement remodeling job with a steel erection company locating rebar prior to anchor-drilling steel plates for support mounts. “The engineer elected to hire us because they know that once we have marked out all the steel they can establish where the pre-manufactured supports are and will be able to drill into the ceiling without hitting steel. This speeds up their process.” For this purpose, DeSchepper selected a 2 GHz Palm antenna, which gave him high resolution data with a good depth of penetration, while being extremely lightweight. “I am working upside down and off a ladder, with both hands above my head as I am scanning, so my antenna choice in this case is based on comfort and convenience.”

Locating targets in the Z axis

The Palm antenna was also key to the success of a project at a local children’s hospital. The hospital was building nine stories of research labs on top of an existing parking deck. Contractors needed to thread new vertical rebar into form savers that were buried in concrete. The form savers have a profile of ¾ to 1 inch in diameter and are capped with a piece of plastic. Contractors could not locate the form savers and called in Echo GPR to help locate them. Using the 2 GHz Palm antenna, Echo located the plastic-capped rebar thread couplers in the Z axis.

Says DeSchepper, “It was so accurate that contractors could hammer drill and find 16-30 rebar couplers in each column. We had scanned 800-900 of these rebar couplers and the contractor later told us we had never missed a piece of post tension cable and only missed 2 form savers in the entire project. This was gratifying, because the vertical and plastic capped profile is such a hard thing to image.”

Echo GPR scanned the area and identified 16 pieces of rebar reinforcement.

Locating sewer lines and drain pipes

According to DeSchepper, the best antenna choice for customers who want to install new drain lines but do not know where the existing sewer is would be a 400 MHz antenna or the 350 MHz digital antenna with HyperStacking (HS) technology, which allows users to see deeper targets. The resolution may be less than other antenna options, but it allows them to look for larger targets 6 to 8 feet below ground.

Successful drill locations as identified in GPR scan.

Another challenge Echo GPR faces is when they’re asked to look for a clay tile pipe drain line that is in the clay soil that is so prevalent in Kansas City. “In this instance we reach for the newer 350 MHz HS antenna because the digital antenna offers a clearer image than a traditional GPR antenna and a 50 percent improvement in depth penetration. It also works with the newer control unit we use (the GSSI SIR 4000), which has more power and flexibility to image these more difficult to image targets.” Along with locating sewer lines and drain pipes, Echo GPR also uses the 350 MHz HS antenna to locate underground storage tanks.

Sinkholes or underground caves

When working for a geotechnical company at a property where there are sinkholes or underground caves, Echo GPR uses a 100 MHz bistatic antenna, one of the few GPR firms to do so. This enables the company to scan more than 20+ feet down, while mapping out soil layers and deeper anomalies.

Field conditions can make antenna selection more challenging

DeSchepper warns that selecting the correct antenna for achieving the depth penetration required can sometimes be tricky. He explains this happens with more frequency than might be expected – mainly because actual conditions in the field turn out to be different than those given to the GPR crew by a contractor. He offers this example:

“Recently, a contractor asked us to scan a 20 foot by 200 foot area because they needed to cut out a hole and install a new piece of equipment. I grabbed the 2600 MHz antenna, my usual go-to for concrete cutting. Now, when I teach GPR for those getting the industry certificate through the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association (CSDA), the first thing I tell students is that the most important thing when scanning concrete is to find the bottom of the concrete – for both slab on grade and suspended slab applications. This lets you know you are seeing what you need to assist the cutting/coring contractor. When I scanned with the 2600 MHz antenna I could not see the bottom of the concrete. This was a definite red flag, since the contractor said the concrete was 8 inches thick and the 2600 MHz was set up to look up to 12 inches deep. I quickly realized this was not the right antenna. I switched out to the 1600 MHz – and lo and behold, the concrete they thought was 8 inches thick was actually 18 inches thick.

DeSchepper was able to call the concrete cutting company before they left the shop; they came out with the right saw and right size blade to cut through the concrete.

Antenna selection should be based on a thorough understanding of what the customer wants to accomplish, as well as comfort and convenience when working on a ladder or overhead.”

Jami Harmon is Marketing Operations Manager at GSSI.

Developer Paul McKee, Jr./M Property Services Advance Vision for St. Louis Geospatial Intelligence Hub with NGA Groundbreaking

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 21:00:27 +0000

NorthSide Regeneration development plans include GEOINT Village in the Innovation District

St. Louis, MO – St. Louis Developer Paul McKee, Jr. and his real estate development company M Property Services (MPS) took a huge step last week toward fulfilling a vision to turn St. Louis into a worldwide geospatial intelligence hub with construction starting on a $1.75 billion National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency headquarters in the heart of NorthSide Regeneration – a 1,500-acre mixed-use development led by McKee to revitalize blighted North St. Louis City.

Approximately 400 guests, including state and local politicians, military leaders, residents, NGA employees, business representatives and federal intelligence officials, attended a Nov. 26 groundbreaking ceremony on a 97-acre site at Cass and Jefferson avenues where the new NGA headquarters will be built. St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies and Falls Church, Virginia-based HITT Contracting were selected as the design-build team leading the facility’s construction.

McKee was instrumental in bringing the new NGA headquarters to North St. Louis when MPS and Bob Clark of Clayco Realty Group responded in 2012 to a blind request for proposals, that later turned out to be NGA. McKee had assembled the majority of the land needed for the facility within his proposed NorthSide Regeneration Innovation District, then worked with city officials to assemble the remaining property to accommodate the agency’s site requirements. McKee and Clark credit Senator Roy Blunt (R, Missouri) and Congressman Lacy Clay (D, St. Louis) for advancing the NGA site selection and funding process over the past five years, as well as the State of Missouri which provided the economic incentives to deliver the site.

“With the incredible anchor of NGA’s $1.75 billion project now in the construction phase, the Innovation District within NorthSide Regeneration has begun,” said McKee. “Now we welcome the entire Geospatial/Geo-Intelligence industry leaders to come join NGA in this robust community.”

The NGA project, the largest North St. Louis has seen in generations, will employ more than 3,000 people and is expected to boost the economy of the underserved area, which is located less than a mile from Downtown St. Louis, The Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium.

Since learning of NGA’s plans to build in North St. Louis, geospatial intelligence firms MAXAR Technologies of Colorado and T-Kartor of Sweden have opened offices in The Globe Building in Downtown St. Louis. McKee also has plans for a GEOINT Village and Healthworks Village in the Innovation District to attract more geospatial intelligence firms to St. Louis.

The new 712,000-square-foot NGA facility will replace the agency’s current facility in South St. Louis, which dates back to the 1840s. NGA is the world leader in timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence that enables the U.S. intelligence community and the Department of Defense to fulfill the President’s national security priorities to protect the nation.

The decision to build a new facility came after a series of planning studies showed it would be less costly, quicker and less disruptive to NGA’s mission to build a new facility rather than upgrade NGA’s current facilities. It has not yet been decided what will happen to NGA’s current campus, which is owned by the U.S. Air Force, when NGA vacates.

The new facility will include office space, parking garages, a visitor’s center, an inspection facility and control access points. The facility, which is designed to achieve a LEED Silver certification for environmental sustainability, is expected to be completed and fully operational by 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is managing the construction on behalf of NGA.

“The new campus will be a secure, flexible, cutting-edge intelligence facility that will put NGA in the heart of St. Louis’ growing geospatial ecosystem and help NGA take advantage of its biggest strengths, its people and partners,” said NGA director Vice Admiral Robert Sharp. “NGA has been proud to call St. Louis home for the past 70 years. I’m excited to see what NGA’s people and partners in the St. Louis region can accomplish together for the next 70.”

McKee has plans to develop the remaining acres around NGA that includes a total of three million square feet of office, two million square feet of retail, one million square feet for tech, 3,000 market-rate residential units and a primary care hospital. A new ZOOM C-store/gas station and GreenLeaf Market have already been completed within the development.

An attendee at the groundbreaking Brian Krueger, head of the St. Louis Place Community Association where NGA will be located, said McKee deserves a lot of credit for assembling the land and bringing the new facility to his neighborhood, and he is grateful to see the progress. St. Louis Place is bounded by Palm Street on the north, Cass Avenue on the south, North Florissant on the east and North Jefferson on the west.

“My wife and I have been in St. Louis Place for about 17 years and we have always been hopeful that someone would take an interest in the neighborhood. We attended many of Paul’s neighborhood meetings and heard his vision. As head of the St. Louis Place Community Association, Paul has always made himself available to come in and work with us,” said Krueger. “NGA would not be here without the assemblage of land that Paul put together. Plus, it was Paul who found and responded to the initial RFP that started the process in the first place.”

About M Property Services

M Property Services, LLC (MPS) is a full-service real estate development, property management and brokerage firm based in O’Fallon, MO. At the core of every MPS development is the concept of LifeWorks® – the creation of master-planned environments that are attuned to the needs and aspirations of the total person, providing opportunities for individuals to live, learn, work, play and pray. M Property Services has provided development assistance for over 3,600 acres and over 3.5 million square feet of commercial and residential space. Specializing in large-scale, mixed-use developments, MPS and its affiliates have owned or developed and sold office buildings, industrial facilities, retail centers and sites throughout the St. Louis metropolitan region and surrounding states. Developments include the 1,200-acre WingHaven® mixed-use community in O’Fallon, MO; NorthPark premier business park in North St. Louis County; and NorthSide Regeneration, an urban mixed-use community encompassing over 1,500 acres in North St. Louis City. For more information about M Property Services, visit www.mps-stl.com or call 636-561-9300.

NGA breaks ground on new facility in North St. Louis

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 20:07:21 +0000

SPRINGFIELD, Virginia — The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new campus in North St. Louis Tuesday, Nov. 26, beginning a new chapter for the agency.

The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. CT and is open to media.

The new NGA campus will be located at the corner of Jefferson and Cass avenues. The North St. Louis location puts NGA in the heart of a community of outstanding academic institutions and cutting-edge industry. It is scheduled to be open and fully operational by 2025.

“NGA’s new campus will be built with spaces that will facilitate information-sharing and collaboration among NGA’s and St. Louis’s talented innovators,” Sharp said. “Working together, Approved for Public Release #20-126

we can better achieve NGA’s mission of providing world-class geospatial intelligence to U.S. service members and leaders to keep our nation secure.”

The new facility will include approximately 712,000 square feet of office space, parking garages, a visitor’s center, an inspection facility and control access points. Plans are for the facility to include wireless technologies – which, while standard in private industry, has been a challenge for the intelligence community to adopt for a secure, classified work environment — and for the facility to be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Silver standards for environmental sustainability.

The approximately 300 invited guests to the groundbreaking include Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Sen. Roy Blunt, Sen. Josh Hawley, Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Lacy Clay, Rep. Ann Wagner, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite and many local North St. Louis residents – all NGA partners who played crucial roles in making NGA’s vision for a new intelligence facility in the St. Louis area a reality.

Preparations for the new facility have been ongoing with NGA’s partners since NGA announced its selection of North St. Louis as the site in 2016. The City of St. Louis officially transferred the 97 acres of land for the new NGA campus to the U.S. Air Force in December 2018. St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies and Falls Church, Va.-based HITT Contracting were selected as the design-build team leading the construction in March 2019.

With the groundbreaking, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin managing the construction on behalf of NGA.

“This groundbreaking is a testament to the thoughtful planning, hard work and good faith of NGA’s people and partners in the St. Louis area, Missouri and across the county,” Sharp said.

The new site in North St. Louis will replace NGA’s current facility, which dates back to the 1840s, in South St. Louis. The decision to build a new facility came after a series of planning studies showed it would be less costly, quicker and less disruptive to NGA’s mission to build a new facility rather than upgrade NGA’s current facilities. It has not yet been decided what will happen to NGA’s current campus, which also is owned by the U.S. Air Force, when NGA vacates the South St. Louis facility.

“NGA has been proud to call St. Louis home for the past 70 years,” Sharp said. “I’m excited to see what NGA’s people and partners in the St. Louis region can accomplish together for the next 70.”

Media interested in attending or with specific interview requests should email MediaRelations@nga.mil to ensure a spot on the attendee list. Please include the number of people attending from your organization and if you are bringing any significant equipment or trucks. All media members must provide credentials to access the site and will be subject to security screenings. The event will be held outdoors at a construction site; please dress for the weather and wear closed-toed shoes.

About NGA

NGA delivers world-class geospatial intelligence that provides a decisive advantage to policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders.

NGA is a unique combination of intelligence agency and combat support agency. It is the world leader in timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence. NGA enables the U.S. intelligence community and the Department of Defense to fulfill the president’s national security priorities to protect the nation.

For more information about NGA, visit us online at www.nga.mil, Facebook, Twitter, Flipboard, SoundCloud or YouTube.

Crucial Geospatial Technology Trends in Future

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 19:04:11 +0000

Geospatial technology is present and therefore the expanse of its reach in several fields is growing. Most technologies need a spatial element and it is one of the most important pillars of rising technologies. Be it a part of our regular activities or cutting edge futuristic research, none can be envisioned without geospatial information. In 2020, new trends in geospatial technology will have an impression on various sectors. That’s why it is very important for GIST consultants to have an ArcGIS certification. Let’s have a glance at the foremost geospatial trends for 2020.

Miniaturization of Sensors

The extraordinary decrease in the size of the chips expanded productivity, diminished expenses and empowered the advancement of innovation. What began at first with cell phones has now arrived at the fields of LiDAR and Earth Observation, too, with developments in LIDAR sensors for autonomous vehicles and mobile mapping backpacks. Earlier mini satellites were used by amateurs and college students. However, big organizations like Planet have reformed the satellite business by propelling breadbox-sized satellites. Capella Space and Spire further propelled little satellites that have a preferred position of expanded proficiency, ability, and diminished expenses. Capella Space is building the biggest group of little radar satellites. The scaling down is making geospatial a default in varying backgrounds.

Consistent Accessibility of EO Information

One of the huge leaps forward was the move towards consistent accessibility of earth perception information. And, this pattern will proceed in 2020, too.

Planet, which as of now works 200-plus satellites, finished its Mission One – to picture the whole Earth each day, 24-7. In 2018, it likewise propelled a stage to saddle and examine this enormous measure of data. The stage, which will file physical change on Earth a similar way Google recorded to the web, as Will Marshall puts it, will give clients access to the data they need to make a good decision.

AWS Ground Station administration likewise bodes well. While enormous satellite administrators have their own ground stations, little satellite administrators for the most part have no choice yet to regularly go for expensive and non-adaptable agreements and long conveyance times. AWS Ground Station will profoundly change this, prompting a quick and consistent accessibility of EO information.

Geospatial AI or Geo.AI

Geospatial AI can likewise be known as another type of AI that depends on a geographic part. With the assistance of straightforward cell phone applications, individuals can give continuous criticism about the conditions in their environment, for instance, traffic clog, its subtleties, the peak hours, their experience of it, their rating: low, moderate, or heavy. The information is then ordered, arranged, investigated and it improves its exactness and accuracy in light of thousands of clients adding to the database.

This methodology of utilizing land area would then fill the data void as well as help in increasingly proficient answers for specific geographic areas. For Instance, it is ready to anticipate which region in the city would confront the most extreme traffic, or which route commuters should take, or where the vehicle stream can be rerouted.

BIM

Geospatial is playing a vital role in the AEC area. What’s more, in 2020 it is expected to be an indispensable piece of BIM and development. Blend of the most recent advancements in calculation with geospatial empowers exact investigation of the ventures, which cultivates developments, lessens expenses, and decreases labor prerequisites. Architects and engineers utilize these models for better comprehension of their tasks. With the expanding utilization of AR and VR in BIM modeling, the utility of geospatial will only increase.

The combination of geospatial data with engineering and designing work process information, 3D demonstrating, reproduction, situation examination, change discovery, and so forth, conveys the much-wanted consistency among various spatial and non-spatial datasets.

Geospatial data, alongside other digital information with area measurements, adds spatial perception to the BIM condition, encouraging consistent information trade among the designing and condition experts, wiping out information repetition, and improving information reconciliation.

While both geospatial and BIM principally serve various pieces of the development lifecycle, it is important to incorporate both data frameworks, so they can “communicate” with one another to fabricate and work inside the ideal foundation and networks. Crosswise over enterprises, it is imperative to comprehend the applied advancements. It requires some investment for individuals to comprehend what that innovation can do, and how it tends to be applied. To encourage the equivalent, BIM and geospatial arrangement suppliers are making incorporated answers for upgrade work processes that enable clients to dependably access, update and use BIM information in spatial settings all through the lifecycle of benefits.

Consistent utilization of spatial and social information on the database level (Oracle Spatial and Locator, PostGIS), carries with it simple spatial coordination and auxiliary examination making an incentive for the development business to take aggressiveness and efficiency to a higher level.

Autonomous Vehicles

Geospatial plays a significant role in the car business, both for mapping the environment and the route. In Autonomous vehicles, the job would be significantly more noteworthy. Mapping organizations like HERE, TomTOM and Google have held hands with leading carmakers like BMW, Ford, Daimler, Audi, and Mobileye for propelling area innovation in route frameworks, taking ongoing mapping to the next level and quickening independent driving. LiDAR organizations like Velodyne are likewise collaborating with mapping organizations as LiDAR would be the eye of a self-ruling vehicle. We can’t envision a self-sufficient vehicle without a LiDAR sensor and a keen route framework. High-goals maps would be utilized to help Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and other propelled driving capacities.

Mapping as a Service

The advancements in Cloud innovation have opened new doors for a large group of organizations and created new plans of action. One such plan of action is mapping as a Service. While most maps could be discovered online with a straightforward Google search, high-goals maps of a specific spot are hard to discover. So, organizations like Nearmap, Carmenta and Harman Ignite give high-goals satellite symbolism and maps for any area on the planet, on-request and dependent on the client necessity. The information can be utilized for numerous reasons, including overseeing street wellbeing or the development of another structure. This has really reformed mapping. Mapping as a Service market size is expected to be worth in excess of $8 billion by 2025. With more chances and expanding business sector requests, organizations have a motivating force for further advancements.

Smart Cities

Smart cities can provide new opportunities by developing the quality of our urban areas and attaching them with the new technology to give them a holistic living experience by minimizing the crowded spaces. Smart Cities are undoubtedly the fate of urban residences and different governments have begun setting up the guide for developing existing cities.

Geospatial advances give the hidden establishment of a smart city the background whereupon arrangements can be assembled. Geospatial innovation gives an essential structure for gathering the information and changing perceptions to encourage programming based arrangements around smart infrastructure.

Drones

Drones are flexible in their applications and are utilized to play out numerous tasks.

Drones, with the assistance of GIS and high accuracy sensors, can be flown over large areas, such as farms, and accumulate information, which could be used to map pest, crop pressure, and per-hectare yield, allowing the farmer to screen what’s happening on his land without the need of surveying it.

To get in-depth knowledge of Crucial trends of Geospatial technology in the future you can enroll for live ArcGIS classes by Edunbox with 24/7 support and lifetime access.

Himanshu Narwani serves as a Digital Marketing Manager in Edunbox and there he handles all works related to SEO, SMO, PPC, SME, Content Writing and Email Marketing.

Vectorworks, Inc. Announces 2020 Version of BIM and Design Software

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 13:19:59 +0000

Columbia, MD — Global design and BIM software provider Vectorworks, Inc. announces the 2020 release of Vectorworks Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Designer and Fundamentals, as well as 2020 versions of Vision and Braceworks. This newest release brings improved software performance, quality enhancements and new data-driven workflows.

“Data and usability are the cornerstones of this year’s product line enhancements,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “When we looked at the future of the industry and what our customers’ needs were, we kept coming back to data, particularly data-driven insights. Vectorworks 2020 is centered around providing our customers with intuitive ways to use the powerful tools of our products, while also offering more practical ways to incorporate the use of data for an improved and insightful design workflow.”

With this focus on insightful design, Vectorworks 2020 extends the existing Data Visualization feature to the design layer environment. This lets customers change objects’ attributes using data parameters to visualize data for error checking, work validation and quality control.

“With Data Visualization now available on design layers, we’re able to keep our attribute assignments consistent between projects, allowing us to quickly and consistently draw attention to relevant design elements,” said Brendan Gray, principal designer and president of Gray Matter Visual, Inc.

Additionally, customers will experience optimized Open BIM capabilities, improved file performance and other updates that include:

Increased workflow efficiency with the ability to directly edit fields in a list browser, such as in the Navigation palette or the Organization dialog.

Improved file performance and responsiveness of large and complex models with the updated Vectorworks Graphics Module.

A new Schematic View workflow to handle the complexity of modeling and documenting rigging workflows in Vectorworks Spotlight.

Accurate geolocation of a project with the new Geographic Information System (GIS) toolset and an integration with Esri’s ArcGIS online services.

To learn more about the release of Vectorworks 2020, please visit vectorworks.net/2020.

The English-language editions of Vectorworks, Braceworks and Vision 2020 are available today. The release of localized European, Australian and New Zealand editions will be followed by Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese versions. For more information about the availability of Vectorworks 2020 in your market, please contact your local Vectorworks distributor. Members of the Vectorworks Service Select maintenance program will receive their upgrades to Vectorworks 2020 as soon as the product is released in their local markets.

Press should visit vectorworks.net/2020/press for additional information, videos and high-res images, or contact Senior Media Relations Manager Lauren Meyer at lmeyer@vectorworks.net for other requests like press interviews, demos and more.

GSSI to Showcase UtilityScan Compact GPR system at Public Works Expo 2019

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:00:59 +0000

GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, will showcase its UtilityScan compact GPR system for utility locating at the Public Works Expo 2019, which will be held September 8-11, 2019 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA, Booth #1800.

Featuring a wireless and lightweight configuration, the UtilityScan’s compact size makes it extremely portable and easy to maneuver in tight survey areas. This model is designed specifically to meet the needs of electrical contractors, utility installers, and municipal and state gas and water utilities. UtilityScan works up to maximum depths of 10 meters (35 feet) and uses a 350 HS antenna.

Featuring a robust new wireless antenna that can handle required data rates, UtilityScan is ruggedly built to withstand challenging field conditions. The electrical design uses GSSI’s patented HyperStacking technology, which has proven to increase depth penetration in challenging soils, while also providing high near-surface data resolution. The unit also has a backup Ethernet connection if Wi-Fi is not desired or allowed on a particular jobsite or facility. UtilityScan is integrated with GSSI’s LineTrac accessory, which helps locate specific power sources situated underground, including AC power and induced RF energy present in conduits.

UtilityScan uses a wireless tablet-based system and a simplified app-based user interface that is convenient and easy to use. The tablets feature a built-in GPS, which can be used for providing location information in the radar data file. Two tablet options are available, including the fully-rugged Panasonic® Toughpad FZ-A2 and the consumer-based tablet. Weighing in at only 34 pounds, the UtilityScan when folded is 22-inches by 19.25-inches by 12.5-inches and can fit in the back of a small vehicle or in some overhead airplane compartments.

MIT’s fleet of autonomous boats can now shapeshift

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:00:23 +0000

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — MIT’s fleet of robotic boats has been updated with new capabilities to “shapeshift,” by autonomously disconnecting and reassembling into a variety of configurations, to form floating structures in Amsterdam’s many canals.

The autonomous boats — rectangular hulls equipped with sensors, thrusters, microcontrollers, GPS modules, cameras, and other hardware — are being developed as part of the ongoing “Roboat” project between MIT and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute). The project is led by MIT professors Carlo Ratti, Daniela Rus, Dennis Frenchman, and Andrew Whittle. In the future, Amsterdam wants the roboats to cruise its 165 winding canals, transporting goods and people, collecting trash, or self-assembling into “pop-up” platforms — such as bridges and stages — to help relieve congestion on the city’s busy streets.

In 2016, MIT researchers tested a roboat prototype that could move forward, backward, and laterally along a preprogrammed path in the canals. Last year, researchers designed low-cost, 3-D-printed, one-quarter scale versions of the boats, which were more efficient and agile, and came equipped with advanced trajectory-tracking algorithms. In June, they created an autonomous latching mechanism that let the boats target and clasp onto each other, and keep trying if they fail.

In a new paper presented at the last week’s IEEE International Symposium on Multi-Robot and Multi-Agent Systems, the researchers describe an algorithm that enables the roboats to smoothly reshape themselves as efficiently as possible. The algorithm handles all the planning and tracking that enables groups of roboat units to unlatch from one another in one set configuration, travel a collision-free path, and reattach to their appropriate spot on the new set configuration.

In demonstrations in an MIT pool and in computer simulations, groups of linked roboat units rearranged themselves from straight lines or squares into other configurations, such as rectangles and “L” shapes. The experimental transformations only took a few minutes. More complex shapeshifts may take longer, depending on the number of moving units — which could be dozens — and differences between the two shapes.

“We’ve enabled the roboats to now make and break connections with other roboats, with hopes of moving activities on the streets of Amsterdam to the water,” says Rus, director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “A set of boats can come together to form linear shapes as pop-up bridges, if we need to send materials or people from one side of a canal to the other. Or, we can create pop-up wider platforms for flower or food markets.”

Joining Rus on the paper are: Ratti, director of MIT’s Senseable City Lab, and, also from the lab, first author Banti Gheneti, Ryan Kelly, and Drew Meyers, all researchers; postdoc Shinkyu Park; and research fellow Pietro Leoni.

Collision-free trajectories

For their work, the researchers had to tackle challenges with autonomous planning, tracking, and connecting groups of roboat units. Giving each unit unique capabilities to, for instance, locate each other, agree on how to break apart and reform, and then move around freely, would require complex communication and control techniques that could make movement inefficient and slow.

To enable smoother operations, the researchers developed two types of units: coordinators and workers. One or more workers connect to one coordinator to form a single entity, called a “connected-vessel platform” (CVP). All coordinator and worker units have four propellers, a wireless-enabled microcontroller, and several automated latching mechanisms and sensing systems that enable them to link together.

Coordinators, however, also come equipped with GPS for navigation, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU), which computes localization, pose, and velocity. Workers only have actuators that help the CVP steer along a path. Each coordinator is aware of and can wirelessly communicate with all connected workers. Structures comprise multiple CVPs, and individual CVPs can latch onto one another to form a larger entity.

During shapeshifting, all connected CVPs in a structure compare the geometric differences between its initial shape and new shape. Then, each CVP determines if it stays in the same spot and if it needs to move. Each moving CVP is then assigned a time to disassemble and a new position in the new shape.

Each CVP uses a custom trajectory-planning technique to compute a way to reach its target position without interruption while optimizing the route for speed. To do so, each CVP precomputes all collision-free regions around the moving CVP as it rotates and moves away from a stationary one.

After precomputing those collision-free regions, the CVP then finds the shortest trajectory to its final destination, which still keeps it from hitting the stationary unit. Notably, optimization techniques are used to make the whole trajectory-planning process very efficient, with the precomputation taking little more than 100 milliseconds to find and refine safe paths. Using data from the GPS and IMU, the coordinator then estimates its pose and velocity at its center of mass, and wirelessly controls all the propellers of each unit and moves into the target location.

In their experiments, the researchers tested three-unit CVPs, consisting of one coordinator and two workers, in several different shapeshifting scenarios. Each scenario involved one CVP unlatching from the initial shape and moving and relatching to a target spot around a second CVP.

Three CVPs, for instance, rearranged themselves from a connected straight line — where they were latched together at their sides — into a straight line connected at front and back, as well as an “L.” In computer simulations, up to 12 roboat units rearranged themselves from, say, a rectangle into a square or from a solid square into a Z-like shape.

Scaling up

Experiments were conducted on quarter-sized roboat units, which measure about 1 meter long and half a meter wide. But the researchers believe their trajectory-planning algorithm will scale well in controlling full-sized units, which will measure about 4 meters long and 2 meters wide.

In about a year, the researchers plan to use the roboats to form into a dynamic “bridge” across a 60-meter canal between the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam’s city center and an area that’s under development. The project, called RoundAround, will employ roboats to sail in a continuous circle across the canal, picking up and dropping off passengers at docks and stopping or rerouting when they detect anything in the way. Currently, walking around that waterway takes about 10 minutes, but the bridge can cut that time to around two minutes.

“This will be the world’s first bridge comprised of a fleet of autonomous boats,” Ratti says. “A regular bridge would be super expensive, because you have boats going through, so you’d need to have a mechanical bridge that opens up or a very high bridge. But we can connect two sides of canal [by using] autonomous boats that become dynamic, responsive architecture that float on the water.”

To reach that goal, the researchers are further developing the roboats to ensure they can safely hold people, and are robust to all weather conditions, such as heavy rain. They’re also making sure the roboats can effectively connect to the sides of the canals, which can vary greatly in structure and design.

OpenSpace, AI-Powered Construction Tech Company, Raises Series A Round To Bring “Street View”-Style Documentation to Real Estate Development and Construction Industries

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 15:39:04 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – OpenSpace, the leader in 360° construction site data capture and analysis, today announced a $14M Series A funding round led by Lux Capital. Returning investor Goldcrest Capital also joined the round, along with new participants JLL Spark, Navitas Capital, Suffolk Construction, Tishman Speyer, WeWork and Zigg Capital. With these new investors on board, OpenSpace has established strategic partnerships with some of the top names in real estate and construction. Founded in 2017, OpenSpace is deployed on projects exceeding $50B in total value in the United States and around the world.

OpenSpace uses patent-pending, cutting-edge artificial intelligence to automatically create navigable, 360° photo representations of any physical space. Builders attach a small camera to their hardhats and walk the site as normal, with OpenSpace passively capturing imagery in the background. Imagery data is then uploaded to the cloud, where OpenSpace’s algorithms map the photos to project plans and stitch them together, creating a visual representation of the site similar in style to Google Street View. This data then accumulates over time, providing builders with a “time machine” that allows them to review site conditions as they were a day ago, a week ago, or years ago. With OpenSpace, project stakeholders can conduct virtual site tours, communicate easily about change orders, and review the photo record to see changes over time.

“OpenSpace makes it incredibly easy to walk a job site, gather detailed imagery and automatically generate a 360° view that’s pinned to the floor plan. What used to be a complex, laborious task is now a simple and elegant user experience,” said David Gerster, Vice President at JLL Spark. “This investment is part of our broader commitment to transforming commercial real estate with new technology.”

On average, customers report that OpenSpace allows for 30x faster data capture compared to traditional, manual methods. It requires no specialized training to use and works with an off-the-shelf 360° camera. Using OpenSpace, customers have already captured more than 150M square feet of data—enough to fill more than 50 Empire State Buildings—and that number continues to grow.

“Tishman Speyer has piloted OpenSpace at MIRA in San Francisco and now at our ongoing construction of the Spiral, a three million square foot development in New York City, and we see value in scaling this program more broadly,” said Jenny Wong, Managing Director at Tishman Speyer. “Access to accurate, immediate data is essential in the development and building process, and we are excited to be partnering with OpenSpace.”

“OpenSpace’s imaging and AI analytics platform is seeing rapid adoption by some of the largest infrastructure and real estate development firms, who are also investing in the company,” said Bilal Zuberi, Partner at Lux Capital. “We are excited to continue to partner with OpenSpace in building a great infrastructure analytics company.”

“At OpenSpace, we’re using AI to augment workers’ capabilities by making documentation fast, easy and complete,” said Jeevan Kalanithi, co-founder and CEO of OpenSpace. “We started this company by collaborating with builders, on their job sites. We knew that any documentation solution needed to be totally passive in order to fit into the extremely busy day-to-day of a construction site, and this is what inspired us to create OpenSpace’s unique tap-and-go approach.”

The company plans to use the funding to continue scaling up its operations, including sales and marketing expansion, as well as for the development of new computer vision powered products that leverage the massive, unique and growing dataset being created. For more information and to read customer testimonials, visit https://openspace.ai/.

Why Use a CT Scanner for an Industrial Job?

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 13:47:08 +0000

The ability to “see through” a solid object was once thought to be a tool of the future, or a power belonging to Superman–but the technology is here today, and more widespread and accessible than you may have thought.

Until recently, the technology of CT imaging was only available for use in medical settings. Over the last several years, it has found a new home in the world of manufacturing and is opening up myriad opportunities never before available.

CT, or Computed Tomography, is now commonly used in various industrial metrology settings, both in the lab and online or inline for product evaluation and packaging integrity assessment. The main advantage is that it allows the inspection of a part’s interior structure or a package’s closure functionality without causing any harm or destruction to the objects themselves.

Industrial CT scanners utilize the same type of technology as CT scanners in hospitals and doctors’ offices–taking multiple readings from various angles and converting the CT greyscale images into voxel-based 3-dimensional point clouds. Once the CT scanner generates the point cloud, a specialist can generate a CAD-to-part comparison map, construct a 3D model of the part, or reverse engineer the part to suit their needs. In the packaging world, especially where pharmaceutical or personal products are concerned, this ability is paramount. High-speed scanning inline, for example, can examine the seals on pill bottles for airtight quality assurance, while online or lab scanning can instantly compare a manufactured product to the CAD program in various ways.

Industrial scanners offer a multitude of advantages, such as: obtaining the internal structure of an object nondestructively, validating extremely accurate internal dimensions, allowing comparison to reference models, no shaded zones, compatibility with all shapes and sizes, no post-processing work and extremely high-resolution imaging.

Some of the most common uses of 3D and now CT scanning in industrial metrology applications include:

Reverse engineering – the process of taking measurements of an existing part or object, then creating an exact CAD replica. This technology is extremely useful when you have a manufactured part or object, but not the original prints or design data.
Non-contact measurement – the process of capturing the geometry of existing objects through the use of laser emitting camera-like 3D scanners.
Contact measurement – a method of collecting single points relative to each other. There is a wide range of solutions for contact measurement and generally two types of systems solutions are used with portable CMMs: 1) For capturing localized or small volume information, digitizing or articulating arms are used, 2) For larger volumetric projects, optical solutions including laser trackers and photogrammetry units.
Long-range scanning – for a detailed 360° 3D snapshot of a structure, bridge, plot of land, plant or process operation with millimeter accuracy.
Art forgeries – a bit unusual for what is thought to be an industrial product, but hundreds of art museums, dealers and auction houses use scanning each year to validate works of art, as well as the structural integrity of sculpture, for example.
Model to manufacture processing – here again, artists will often have their models, whether fashioned or human, scanned for dimension prior to casting a statue in bronze or producing a high-fashion line of clothing.

These 3D imaging devices and long-range scanners serve a wide range of industries and help assure that they are performing the highest level of testing and accuracy possible. A few of the diverse industries currently using this technology and the goals sought are:

Manufacturing – for internal inspection of components and to ensure that a part meets specifications; this includes injection molded, cast, forged or fabricated parts made from metal, plastic, polymers, composites and even 3D printed products
Power generation/nuclear – can scan the complex, hard to reach and hazardous areas of a nuclear power plant or conventional power generation facility for pipe alignment, boiler integrity, containment building stability and more
Medical – devices & equipment, implants, orthotics & prosthetics; a one-off knee joint, for example, can be accurately compared to the original CAD program as well as the doctor’s MRI for accuracy
Automotive & aerospace – allows engineers to do virtual testing of machinery, helps understand failures, works as a research & development tool to analyze structure, simulate reactions
Arts – in the detection of forgeries and sculpture integrity
Metal castings – to check for air bubbles and overall porosity
Foods – to examine contents & packaging integrity
Plastics industry – to inspect quality, wall-thickness and porosity analysis
Moldmaking – provides a powerful inspection and measurement tool to validate precise injection molds and check the structural integrity of a part

There is a wide range of industrial scanning equipment styles and sizes available to suit different types of applications. Micro units in tabletop styles for lab use up to full industrial-grade floor models for in-plant or in-process use, to portable measuring arms that can be used on the shop floor or out in the field are all available today, usually from a manufacturer or a service organization, for one-time contract use, with rent or lease-to-buy arrangements optional. Many of our customers, having used our services, subsequently purchase the equipment and training to add this high-end metrology to augment their inside CMM or test lab, for example. In the case of larger production facilities, we often see metrology today being integrated into the line for instant analysis of parts, whether molded, stamped, welded or otherwise fabricated, as well as packaged goods.

Typical CT scanners offer a wide range of measurement capabilities and features. Sizes start with small desktop models which meet the most stringent demands and measure the smallest 3D detail from 0.25µm. They can be equipped with different X-ray powers, from 160kV for nanometer resolution through 225 kV, 320 Watts to the highest power of 300 kV, 320 Watts. (Shari: I think this is just the range of the ProCon scanners our client bought. Reference the range of the entire ProCon line of portables.)

Larger scanners are available for extremely fast CT data acquisition on workpieces up to 500 mm diameter and 600 mm in height, weighing up to 50 kg (110 lbs.). Typical functions performed on this type of system might include 3D analysis of a scanned turbine blade, automatic pour porosity volume analysis on an aluminum casting and 3D measurements with nominal-actual CAD comparisons on a machined aluminum cylinder head.

The future of industrial scanning holds unlimited possibilities, especially when combined with 3D printing or other additive manufacturing methods. As improvements are made in technology and performance and costs continue to decrease, the industrial scanning industry is preparing for explosive growth in the next 5-10 years.

Mobile Laser Scan Data Improves Police Engagement Time in Active Shooter Simulation

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 15:49:00 +0000

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, U.K. – A security technology firm reduced the time needed for public safety personnel to engage a simulated active shooter by providing the team with site floorplans created from 3D laser scan data. Prior to the exercise, the firm scanned the entire 112,000-square-foot building interior in just 2.5 hours with the GeoSLAM ZEB-HORIZON 3D mobile scanner.

“In the role-playing scenario staged at a mega-church, the off-duty police officers reached the shooter in up to 21 percent less time using a 2D floorplan generated from the laser scans,” said Robert W. Myers, CEO of Entropy Group LLC. “However, we expect engagement times to drop considerably by leveraging the 3D scan data to create virtual reality training simulations.”

Based in San Ramon, Calif., Entropy Group was established to save lives during active shooting incidents at schools and churches by providing law enforcement with the situational awareness information they need to reach perpetrators more quickly inside complex building spaces.

The firm uses the GeoSLAM ZEB-HORIZON handheld mapping device to capture 3D scans of school and church interiors, including small offices, classrooms, and closets. The GeoSLAM software generates highly accurate 2D floorplans for use by responders, either hardcopy or digital, to navigate the interior of the building. The same data set can also be used to create virtual environments where multiple officers train on computers to respond to attack scenarios in realistic, immersive 3D simulations of actual schools and churches in their jurisdictions.

“Eventually, we plan to utilize machine learning technology that will allow individual officers of first responder teams to be dispatched to specific locations within the facility in real-time to quickly reach shooter engagement locations within the buildings,” said Myers.

The handheld ZEB-HORIZON laser scanner allows users to map interior and exterior spaces in 3D at walking speed. The lightweight device captures up to 300,000 points per second with an accuracy of 1-3 centimeters up to 100 meters from the user. SLAM technology ensures points are tied to local coordinate systems even in interior spaces where GPS/GNSS coverage is poor. Large multi-room buildings that might take days to scan with a stationary scanner can be mapped in a few hours with the ZEB-HORIZON.

“Mobile laser scanning technology is the fastest and most cost-effective way to create the 2D and 3D building information tools public safety personnel need to prepare for a variety of emergency scenarios,” said Shelley Copsey, GeoSLAM CEO.

The GeoSLAM Hub software creates a fully integrated data collection and mapping workflow, enabling ZEB-HORIZON users to process, view, merge, edit and output 2D and 3D deliverables within minutes of data capture. Outputs include 2D floorplans, CAD, as well as an integrated workflow for the creation of 3D building information models (BIMs).

Entropy Group is working directly with school districts and places of worship to provide scanning services and develop standardized procedures for the capture of 3D data inside their buildings. These reality capture data sets and derived 2D and 3D products will be provided to local public safety organizations for use in generating hardcopy and digital representations.

For more information on Entropy Group, visit https://entropygroup.net .

Notifications for Time-Efficient Monitoring of AOI Changes

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 19:06:32 +0000

Have you ever kept track of the time you spend monitoring areas with remote sensing images? If you have dozens of territories you need to keep an eye on, this seemingly quick checkup can take up hours of your time. Why not let a computer algorithm carry out this mundane task and send you an alert if there’s anything you need to act on?

This idea has already been implemented by EOS Data Analytics in the cloud-based LandViewer service. The new notification manager is an automated alert system which keeps users up to date on even the slightest changes detected in their Areas of Interest (AOIs). It sends out push and email notifications, saving time and drawing the user’s attention to the spots potentially at risk so that immediate action can be taken before it’s too late.

Such actionable alerts can be of great use in agricultural monitoring, forest management, snow cover monitoring, flood or fire detection, and any other fields where satellite data-derived insights are needed for timely decision-making. And here’s why.

Up-to-date and actionable alerts

Before the launch of the notification feature, detecting changes in vegetation, for instance, required at least three steps: sifting through satellite images, generating an NDVI image, and comparing current vs. past values. Now, this can be done in just one step: checking your mailbox for LandViewer alerts generated from the latest satellite scene.

By means of the notification manager’s flexible settings, users can set the frequency of notifications to either each “new scene” or “once per month”, whichever they are more comfortable with. If the frequency is too high or low, the “Edit” button allows the necessary changes to be made at any time, including setting up new subscriptions or canceling existing ones.

Digest of AOI changes – just the essentials

The amount of available satellite data can be overwhelming, especially to those who don’t have any background in GIS or need to repeatedly monitor changes in many areas. Valuing the time of every user out there, LandViewer email notifications are as brief and informative as possible to serve only the most essential data, such as date, index values, and value changes.

Agricultural consultants can be assigned with monitoring dozens (if not hundreds) of fields, and the manual review of vegetation indices in each can be really time-consuming. LandViewer allows subscription to notifications across up to 100 different AOIs, making the task of observing NDVI vegetation value changes across multiple fields so much easier. And, if there are subscriptions to more than ten areas of interest, the system will only include the 5 largest and 5 smallest index value changes across all AOIs in the notification email.

Monitoring AOIs off the platform

GIS, remote sensing specialists and non-expert users are no longer required to spend considerable time using LandViewer to know what’s going on in their fields, forests, coastlines or whatever it is that they monitor. A brief overview of how crop and tree conditions, snow cover, water content, etc. have changed across territories can be delivered in a single email according to their preferences. Currently, notifications can be set for all available spectral indices (NDVI, NDWI, NDSI, SAVI, ARVI, EVI, GCI, SIPI, NBR) derived from data of the ongoing passive satellite missions such as Sentinel-2, Landsat 8, and CBERS-4.

For example, forest managers can set up monthly notifications to detect areas in which there have been changes in forest cover (caused by illegal logging or other deforestation drivers) with Sentinel-2 data and NDVI, by definition used for vegetation analysis. LandViewer will send an email once a month, with all the value changes derived from up to 7 scenes (depending on satellite passes and weather conditions).

Clicking the “Open” button in the email will take the user directly to LandViewer, where they can access full details of the NDVI changes.

Deforestation that occurred in Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia, from December 2018 to March 2019; Sentinel-2 data.

Enabling notifications in LandViewer

To set up a subscription to vegetation or other indices changes in AOIs, it is necessary to select the sensor, index, and email frequency parameters in the notification manager. Email frequency can be changed or they can be canceled at any time whenever needed.

Arvizio Introduces Life Size Point Cloud Walk Through on Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:20:05 +0000

Ontario, Canada – Arvizio today announced the introduction of new capabilities to their MR Studio enterprise mixed reality platform. The new 4.0 release features hybrid rendering which allows GPU accelerated resources to stream massive 3D models to multiple participants and simultaneously interact with point cloud and photogrammetry models utilizing Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap mixed reality headset devices.

Reality capture, using LiDAR, 3D scanners or photogrammetry, is a powerful tool for capturing world-scale 3D scenes which have been typically visualized in 2D. The ability to stream enormous point clouds to immersive 3D devices opens a whole new range of applications across industries including AEC, surveying and GIS, mining, energy, and public safety initiatives. Point clouds bring with them a unique set of challenges due to the high number of points that must be rendered and the CPU and GPU limitations of headsets and mobile devices. Through a combination of dynamic level of detail processing and GPU accelerated rendering, Arvizio can stream LiDAR scans and photogrammetry models to untethered, standalone mixed reality headsets.

For the first time, multiple participants can collectively view synchronized point cloud data, walkthrough at life scale and teleport to any position within the scan.

The MR Studio 4.0 release also includes fully automated 3D model optimization and hybrid rendering for large and complex BIM and CAD 3D models, new augmented reality Immerse apps for IOS and Android devices with cross-platform sharing and additional 3D model formats including GLTF 2.0. MR Studio 4.0 also includes multi-model alignment to allow virtual objects, such as buildings and machinery to be positioned within the point cloud experience.

“The ability to visualize and interact with 3D point cloud and photogrammetry content as if you were actually on-site, creates a seamless workflow environment from reality capture to immersion,” said Jonathan Reeves, CEO at Arvizio. “With MR Studio, our customers can leverage the convergence of advanced 3D scanning and immersive technologies for multi-user, interactive shared experiences that promote more insightful, effective decisions.”

MR Studio also offers real-world alignment which allows point clouds or models to be aligned to with real-world objects. The ability to visualize virtual objects positioned in the real world, and for multiple participants to share the experience, provides mixed reality users with significant benefits across industries.

The multi-user point cloud experiences are available for customer trials with the Arvizio MR Studio 4.0 release. To learn more about the features and capabilities of MR Studio, visit: arvizio.io

Scalable and Flexible Access to Professional GNSS Positioning-as-a-Service

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 15:11:16 +0000

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today its Trimble^®Catalyst software-defined Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver for Android phones and tablets is now available with a usage-based service plan—Trimble Catalyst On Demand. The new service plan is focused on satisfying the requirements of a growing number of industries and organizations who recognize the benefits of using high-accuracy GNSS technology in the field but need a more flexible payment model.

Trimble Catalyst On Demand provides scalable access to RTK-quality GNSS positioning using an affordable pay-per-use hourly pricing model in addition to the current Catalyst monthly plans. The new service also enables automated domain-level email address access, which streamlines license allocation for organizations with a large number of users. Account owners purchase access to the service in the form of On-Demand time bundles. By keeping the account balance topped up, Catalyst remains ready to use at a moment’s notice, for any number of nominated users in the account. This flexibility eliminates the need to predict project requirements weeks or months in advance.

“Catalyst On Demand is the same popular Trimble Catalyst positioning-as-a-service solution, but has been repackaged in a way that can suit customers needing more flexibility,” said Gareth Gibson, Catalyst business development manager for Trimble. “Our goal is to put Trimble positioning technology into the hands of every spatially-enabled field worker. Catalyst On Demand will empower a new segment of users and make professional GNSS technology more accessible than ever before.”

Availability

Trimble Catalyst On-Demand is expected to be available in late July 2019. Trimble Catalyst service subscriptions and the Catalyst DA1 antenna are available through Trimble’s Authorized GIS Distribution Network. Trimble Authorized Distributors can be found by visiting: https://catalyst.trimble.com/ondemand.htm.

Jacobs signs major agreement to use Seequent’s solutions on civil and environmental projects

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 18:47:26 +0000

Christchurch, NZ – Seequent, a world leader in the development of geoscience analysis, modelling and collaborative technologies, has announced Jacobs, one of the world’s leading providers in technical, professional and construction services, has signed a major agreement to use Leapfrog® Works on its civil engineering and environmental projects. Jacobs staff in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Canada are covered under the agreement and will use Seequent’s solutions to better understand and communicate geology and risk.

Jacob’s has successfully used Leapfrog® Works on many significant projects including the Emu Swamp Dam – a proposed 12,100 megalitre urban and irrigation supply dam on the Severn River in Stanthorpe, Queensland, Australia – to gain a clear understanding of the geology and mitigate the potential risks they faced. Jacobs used Leapfrog Works to create a subsurface model of the Emu Swamp Dam which identified potential geological challenges, such as areas in the proposed dam footprint that may require mitigation in the design phase, and successfully communicated these challenges to all stakeholders including engineers, farmers, and the community using Seequent’s highly visual 3D collaboration tools.

“Effectively assessing and communicating geological risk in the context of proposed infrastructure designs is critical for successful civil engineering,” says Daniel Wallace, Seequent’s General Manager of Civil and Environmental. “Fast and dynamic 3D subsurface modeling made possible with Leapfrog Works has an important role to play. We are pleased to support Jacobs, one of the top engineering consultancies in the world, with our highly visual solution specifically designed for civil engineering and environmental industries.”

Jacobs was contracted to complete a detailed business case for the Emu Swamp Dam project including a reference design – providing all engineering expertise, stakeholder communication, environmental works to offset harm, baseline economics, and provisional water sales assessment. With an estimated capital cost of $84 million and the potential to secure approximately 700 local jobs, the project aims to increase security and agricultural proficiency for Queensland, in an area known for drought. Queensland fruit farmers and viticulturists have previously had to truck in water from New South Wales to help increase production.

The project faced many challenges including determining an economic and safe design, securing significant water resources without affecting downstream flows, incorporating the project into State Water plans and liaising and communicating with a variety of stakeholders from local councils, chambers of commerce and government to private farmers, developers and the local community.

“Leapfrog Works had a very positive impact on our understanding and communication of the geology. Using 3D visualization gave clarity and meaning and allowed us to effectively communicate to all stakeholders. This 3D visualization was particularly beneficial for those with no technical background. Using an industry-specific tool like Leapfrog Works really helped with the successful delivery of the business case,” says Graeme Jardine, APAC ME Technical Director Engineering Geology, Jacobs Australia.

The Emu Swamp Dam Project project has been ongoing for many years, and the Federal Government has announced it is looking to co-fund, with private farmers and developers already pledged to provide 29% of the cost. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been extended to April 2020 and with funding approval from Federal and State Government, it will then go to tender.

Jardine says, “We used Seequent’s solutions to communicate with the community and non-technical forums to show them what we’d discovered through our drilling program. Communicating in 3D really helped people to understand and visualize the project. We were also able to use Leapfrog Works’ movie feature to create fly-throughs which we could easily pause during consultations to explain key aspects. These impressive visualizations really helped to bring the project to life.”

Emu Swamp Dam – Spillway with borehole detail

It is likely that the decision regarding the Emu Swamp Dam’s go-ahead is made in 2019 and could result in more borehole drilling to fully understand ground permeability – the Leapfrog model will help to inform this work when the project progresses to the detailed design phase.

Seequent’s Civil & Environmental Product Manager, Pat McLarin says Leapfrog Works is designed to support civil engineering project workflows to the benefit of the wide cross-section of teams and stakeholders that are commonly involved. “We’re delighted Works helped Jacobs deliver the business case for what could be a landmark project in Queensland.”

View the full Emu Swamp Dam case study here.

LandViewer Now Features Change Detection That Runs in Browser

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 14:35:49 +0000

The major utilization of remote sensing data has been to compare images of an area taken at different times and identify the changes it underwent. With a wealth of long-term satellite imagery currently in open use, detecting such changes manually would be time-consuming and most likely inaccurate. EOS Data Analytics stepped in by introducing the automated Change Detection tool to its flagship product LandViewer, which ranks among the most capable cloud tools for satellite imagery search and analysis in today’s market.

Unlike the methods involving neural networks that identify changes in the previously extracted features, the change detection algorithm implemented by EOS is using a pixel-based strategy, meaning that changes between two raster multi-band images are mathematically calculated by subtracting the pixel values for one date from the pixel values of the same coordinates for another date. This new signature feature is designed to automate your change detection task and deliver accurate results in fewer steps and in a fraction of the time needed for change detection with ArcGIS, QGIS or another image-processing GIS software.

Change detection interface. Images of Beirut city coastline selected for tracing the developments of the past years.

Unlimited scope of applications ‒ from farming to environmental monitoring

One of the main goals set by EOS team was to make the complex process of change detection in remote sensing data equally accessible and easy for non-expert users coming from non-GIS industries.

With LandViewer’s change detection tool, farmers can quickly identify the areas on their fields that were damaged by hail, storm or flooding. In forest management, satellite image detection of changes will come in handy for estimation of the burned areas following the wildfire and spotting the illegal logging or encroachment on forest lands. Observing the rate and extent of climate changes occurring to the planet (such as polar ice melt, air and water pollution, natural habitat loss due to urban expansion) is an ongoing task of environmental scientists, who may now have it done online in a matter of minutes. By studying the differences between the past and present using the change detection tool and years of satellite data in LandViewer, all these industries can also forecast future changes.

Top change detection use cases: flood damage and deforestation

A picture is worth a thousand words, and the capabilities of satellite image change detection in LandViewer can be best demonstrated on real-life examples.

Forests that still cover around a third of the world’s area are disappearing at an alarming rate, mostly due to human activities such as farming, mining, grazing of livestock, logging, and also the natural factors like wildfires. Instead of massive ground surveying of thousands of forest acres, a forestry technician can regularly monitor the forest safety with a pair of satellite images and the automated change detection based on NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index).

How does it work? NDVI is a known means of determining vegetation health. By comparing the satellite image of the intact forest with the recent one acquired after the trees were cut down, LandViewer will detect the changes and generate a difference image highlighting the deforestation spots, which can further be downloaded by users in .jpg, .png or .tiff format. The surviving forest cover will have positive values, while the cleared areas will have negative ones and be shown in red hues indicating there’s no vegetation present.

A difference image showing the extent of deforestation in Madagascar between 2016 and 2018; generated from two Sentinel-2 satellite images.

Another widespread use case for change detection would be agricultural flood damage assessment, which is of most interest to crop growers and insurance companies. Whenever flooding has taken a heavy toll on your harvest, the damage can be quickly mapped and measured with the help of NDWI-based change detection algorithms.

Results of Sentinel-2 scene change detection: the red and orange areas represent the flooded part of the field; the surrounding fields are green, meaning they avoided the damage. California flooding, February 2017.

How to run change detection in LandViewer

There are two ways you can launch the tool and start finding differences on multi-temporal satellite images: by clicking the right menu icon “Analysis tools” or from the Comparison slider ‒ whichever is more convenient. Currently, change detection is performed on optical (passive) satellite data only; addition of the algorithms for active remote sensing data is scheduled for future updates.

For more details, please read this guide to LandViewer’s change detection tool.

Or start exploring the latest capabilities of LandViewer on your own.

GSSI Receives Presidential Award for Exports

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 12:32:15 +0000

Nashua, New Hampshire — Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross presented Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc, (GSSI) with the President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. In total, Secretary Ross honored 48 U.S. companies with the President’s “E” Award, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“GSSI has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with GSSI’s steady year-over-year growth in export sales. The company’s presence in 121 countries was also particularly notable. GSSI’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” said Secretary Ross in his congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient.

GSSI is the world leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, primarily for the concrete inspection, utility mapping and locating, road and bridge deck evaluation, geophysics, and archaeology markets.

“As the leading global innovator of GPR technology, we are dedicated to helping our customers on all seven continents conduct superior structural and subsurface analysis,” said Christopher Hawekotte, GSSI, President. “Our products provide highly reliable, actionable information, and foreign markets demand quality products made in the United States. We are honored to receive the “E” Award.”

In 2018, U.S. exports were the highest on record with U.S. services at $821.1 billion and U.S. exports of goods reaching $1.7 trillion, demonstrating how American private enterprise can not only survive, but thrive, in the international market.

American companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Record years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to the increase in exports is a significant factor in selecting the overall winners.

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov.

New handheld imaging laser scanner offers efficiency to surveyors

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 15:37:49 +0000

HEERBRUGG, SWITZERLAND/LAS VEGAS – Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, is showcasing the Leica BLK2GO handheld imaging laser scanner, a first-of-its-kind mobile scanner, that was announced yesterday at HxGN LIVE. The BLK2GO is designed to scan complex spaces with unprecedented efficiency and speed thanks to LiDAR, SLAM (simultaneous localisation and mapping) and edge computing technologies, which enables surveyors, professionals and users to expand their reality capture capabilities.

The BLK2GO is a wireless handheld imaging laser scanner that seamlessly captures 3D environments while the user is in motion, and continuously creates a digital representation of reality in the form of 3D point clouds. The BLK2GO’s compact and handheld design allows a much greater degree of mobility, as well as access to spaces and objects that may have been difficult or impossible to scan before. With simple, one-button operation and a lightweight design, it is easy to use for professional and casual users alike.

“The BLK2GO is the next step in the BLK series to democratise technology and create reality capture tools that are intuitive and accessible to users in many industries,” said Burkhard Boeckem, CTO Hexagon’s Geosystems division. “The BLK2GO is a major leap in technology and advances the powerful yet simple design of the BLK360 and offers much more speed, efficiency and mobility for users.”

Scanning in motion
With the BLK2GO, surveying teams now have the option to use a hand-held mobile scanner in addition to the solutions they use today. Combining two-axis LiDAR with visual SLAM technologies, the BLK2GO has spatial awareness to know where it is and where it has been in space and will accurately follow a user’s trajectory while scanning. When used with the iOS app, users can get live feedback while scanning, check the device status, or do quick data inspection.

“When we considered the current limitations of reality capture methods, we found an opportunity to deliver a new tool that would allow drastically new reality capture workflows to augment existing methods and tools,” said Juergen Mayer, president of the Reality Capture Division at Leica Geosystems. “There is simply no other reality capture device on the market that has the mobility of the BLK2GO, nor the ability to capture seamlessly while in motion. We anticipate that professionals and users worldwide will find innovative and exciting new applications in their reality capture projects with the BLK2GO.”

The BLK2GO is expected to be available in October 2019. For more information, please visit BLK2GO.com

New domain-centric reality capture software brings the best of point cloud processing

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 15:04:26 +0000

HEERBRUGG, SWITZERLAND – Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, today announced Leica Cyclone 3DR, the new reality capture software that fuses technology for centralised, full-scale point cloud management from Leica Cyclone with advanced, automated point cloud analysis and modeling from 3DReshaper. The new software delivers a simplified platform for surveying, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) and tank inspection applications.

“Leica Cyclone 3DR is a huge step forward. The ability to fuse workflows of Cyclone and 3DReshaper presents a step-change in productivity and allows us to leverage the best of the two products to drive greater field-to-finish productivity,” said Sander Schrodor, innovations manager at Ingenieursbureau Coenradie.

The right data at the right time
Based on Leica Jetstream technology that enables the rapid viewing and use of reality capture data, Cyclone 3DR streamlines the process of providing actionable information directly to clients. Cyclone 3DR leverages the combined expertise of 3DReshaper and Cyclone to deliver a revolutionary new solution to simplify data processing, visualisation and delivery of high-quality meshes, reports and more.

“Our aim is to make the day-to-day working life of our customers easier,” said Faheem Khan, Leica Geosystems vice president of survey solutions. “We kept this front of mind in developing Cyclone 3DR. Not only will users, new and old, feel comfortable in the software’s intuitive user interface but we also specifically created familiar application-orientated workflows tailored for the industry and application our customers operate in.”

For more information about the Leica Cyclone 3DR laser scanning software, please visit https://leica-geosystems.com/products/laser-scanners/software/leica-cyclone/leica-cyclone-3dr

NavVis IndoorViewer 2.4 Introduces New Features

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:55:12 +0000

Munich, Germany – NavVis, the leading global provider of indoor spatial intelligence technology and solutions for enterprises, announces the release of NavVis IndoorViewer 2.4. This major software release includes an option to automatically generate highly detailed floorplans, enhanced routing capabilities, a new way to customize and view content and enterprise-ready security features.

NavVis IndoorViewer is a web-based application that combines realistic 3D visualization of buildings with a user-friendly interface and advanced functionality that lets users interact with and enrich scan data. Building scan data is displayed as fully immersive 360° images, point clouds and maps. The 360° image and point cloud views let users move through scanned spaces in 3D, while the map view provides a 2D overview of the scanned structure and its surroundings.

A previously released customization feature lets users upload floorplans that have been created using photo editing or CAD software to the 2D map view. With this latest release, it is now even faster and easier to create visually appealing digital floorplans. A new option in the map generation feature lets users automatically generate highly detailed, colored floorplans in just a few clicks.

“Our 3D visualization software, NavVis IndoorViewer, is disrupting the way indoor spatial intelligence is delivered by making the valuable data captured by 3D laser scanners available to every building stakeholder,” said Felix Reinshagen, NavVis CEO. “With this latest software release, we have updated features to make it even easier for laser scanning professionals to deliver a cutting-edge solution with every building scan project. One of the most exciting new features makes it possible for NavVis IndoorViewer users to automatically generate beautiful, highly detailed floorplans in just a few clicks.”

The routing function in NavVis IndoorViewer, which enables detailed, searchable routing between objects and locations within scanned structures, has also been enhanced. The addition of a path drawing tool enables users to draw routing paths anywhere within the 2D map view, including the unscanned areas surrounding the building datasets that appear on the map.

The release of NavVis IndoorViewer 2.4 includes many additional updates, including an option to set the default image for geo-tagged content and the introduction of enterprise-ready authentication and privacy features.

Find out more: https://www.navvis.com/blog/190606_product_update_indoorviewer_2.4

For a 30-day free trial, visit: www.navvis.com/indoorviewer

Leica Geosystems opens nominations for Carl Pulfrich Award 2019

Thu, 30 May 2019 12:00:53 +0000

Heerbrugg, Switzerland – Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, is calling industry-related professionals to submit their nominations for this year’s Carl Pulfrich Award, the prestigious industry honour that recognises advancements in the fields of photogrammetry, remote sensing and earth imaging.

Nominees will be considered on the basis of experience, activities in field of photogrammetry and remote sensing, and contributions to the advancement of all aspects of the earth imaging field. Applied work involving hardware systems, software solutions or innovative service activities will also be considered. With the Carl Pulfrich Award, Leica Geosystems continues the tradition of promoting outstanding scientific, application-oriented design and manufacturing ingenuities in the industry.

“Winning the Carl Pulfrich Award puts participants among the best in their field of work. It means they significantly contributed to the photogrammetry, remote sensing and earth imaging fields and their projects have delivered results. We are pleased to support Leica Geosystems in the recognition of these significant contributions,”

said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uwe Sörgel, Institute for Photogrammetry, University of Stuttgart and chair of the Carl Pulfrich Award jury.

How to nominate
Nominations can be submitted by email to Carl-Pulfrich-Price@leica-geosystems.com. Closing time for submissions is 15 July 2019 at 5 p.m. CEST. Nominations received after this time and date will not be considered.

Winners will be announced during the award ceremony at the 57th Photogrammetric Week (PhoWo) in Stuttgart, Germany, 10 September 2019.

History of the Carl Pulfrich Award
The biennial award and donation honours the memory of Dr. Carl Pulfrich, a member of the scientific staff at Carl Zeiss from 1890 to 1927. During his tenure, Pulfrich directed the design of the first stereo photogrammetric and surveying instruments from Zeiss.

The Carl Pulfrich Award has gained worldwide recognition. Past winners include Prof. Dr.-Ing. Franz Rottensteiner, winner of the award 2017, and Dr. Christoph Strecha, winner of the award 2015.

For more information about the Carl Pulfrich Award criteria, please visit: https://leica-geosystems.com/about-us/events/events-overview/2019/carl-pulfrich-award

Ubimax launches Frontline Workplace Mixed Reality for Microsoft HoloLens 2

Wed, 29 May 2019 20:37:58 +0000

Atlanta – Ubimax announces the availability of Frontline Workplace MR for Microsoft HoloLens 2. With Microsoft’s smart glasses flagship being fully integrated into Ubimax Frontline, the proven benefits of the software platform, spanning end-to-end of the industrial value chain, are transferred to MR environments. Key to this technological leap is Ubimax’s unique authoring tool, Frontline Creator. Three-dimensional projects become feasible in a glimpse as AR workflows are translated into MR applications using the same backend as before. On top, Microsoft Azure Services are integrated into Frontline Creator allowing to simply obtain further Microsoft HoloLens 2 specific resources.

Frontline Workplace MR addresses use cases in which 2D smart glasses do not suffice due to the content that customers desire to display. For pdf files, such as blueprints or large manuals, the Microsoft HoloLens 2 is highly suited. Multiple windows with different information can be on display right in front of the user’s eyes, enhancing the amount of information accessible exactly when needed. With its eye tracking functionality, the Microsoft HoloLens 2 helps to navigate through texts: The glasses adapt to the user’s reading speed and automatically scroll down as the end of the page is reached. Ubimax customers get a truly hands-free user experience as one can control Frontline Workplace MR using only voice commands.

The maximized immersive effects when using the Microsoft HoloLens2 are particularly interesting for training scenarios. Employees can benefit from the third dimension as the interaction level with holograms gets increased. Passively absorbing information is replaced by actively experiencing it. With the intuitive full hand gesture control of Microsoft HoloLens 2, 3D models of component parts can be touched, grasped and moved in ways that feel natural.

Customers like a German premium car manufacturer as well as worldwide logistics giant DHL are early adopters of Frontline Workplace MR. “It is great to see that our customers were quick to identify the potential of MR applications for their businesses and training use cases,” explains Dr. Hendrik Witt, CEO of Ubimax. “With Frontline Workplace MR we have created a product for pioneers looking for a smart and scalable solution. Using our Frontline Creator makes it as easy as it can get to upgrade workflows to the third dimension,” he elaborates. Nancy Li, Global Head of Industry Solutions Portfolio, Mixed Reality & AI at Microsoft, acknowledges the achievements of Ubimax: “By adding the MR branch to their portfolio, Ubimax becomes a genuine one-stop-shop for their customers. Microsoft HoloLens 2 integrated within the Ubimax Frontline platform and other Microsoft Azure Services generates actual value for Ubimax customers.”

Want to learn more about Frontline Workplace MR?

Visit Ubimax at AWE in Hall B, Booth 905, May 29 – 31 in Santa Clara.

New complete ecosystem created with smallest imaging laser scanner, award-winning mobile-device app

Wed, 22 May 2019 16:42:08 +0000

HEERBRUGG, SWITZERLAND – Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, today announced the Leica Cyclone FIELD 360 laser scanning mobile-device app now works in conjunction with the Leica BLK360 imaging laser scanner to create a laser scanning ecosystem where captured data is streamlined for registration and publication.

With the innovative combination of laser scanner and software, users can view, quality control and prepare data directly in the field using a tablet computer. Downstream, the data is then fully immersed within the single platform of Leica Cyclone office processing software, ensuring no data is lost between transfers from one interface to another.

“With the integration of the BLK360 and Cyclone FIELD 360, Leica Geosystems continues to innovate and find ways to provide increased offerings to their 3D reality capture workflow,” said Scott Cohen of ABG Tag and Traq Inc, an already-existing BLK360 user. “We’re confident that this workflow enhancement will be recognised across a wide variety of our future projects.”

The link between scanner and software
The Cyclone FIELD 360 mobile-device app forms a link between 3D data collection in the field using the BLK360 and data registration in the office using the Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 post-processing software. Recently awarded with an iF Design Award, the app’s user interface makes collection, registration and review of captured data on a mobile device simple and easy to understand. As a result, the system provides a positive user experience in the field of 3D reality capture, even to inexperienced users.

“The popular BLK360 imaging laser scanner easily and quickly captures data with a direct connection to Cyclone REGISTER 360 office registration software,” said Gerhard Walter, Leica Geosystems product manager for Cyclone FIELD 360. “Now, with this new integration into Cyclone FIELD 360 mobile-device app, BLK360 users are able to stay within one familiar interface and benefit from the wider Leica Geosystems laser scanning ecosystem.”

For more information about the integrated Leica Cyclone FIELD 360 mobile-device app with the Leica BLK360 imaging laser scanner, please visit: https://leica-geosystems.com/field360

Topcon announces advanced Bentley integration for aerial photogrammetry processing

Wed, 22 May 2019 16:26:14 +0000

LIVERMORE, Calif., U.S./ CAPELLE A/D IJSSEL, the Netherlands – Topcon Positioning Group announces new cloud-based photogrammetry processing powered by Bentley ContextCapture to its MAGNET Collage Web web-based service for publication, sharing, and analysis of reality capture data. The integration allows MAGNET Collage Web users who share and collaborate with scanning and mesh datasets to now process and add UAV photos directly to the MAGNET Collage 3D environment.

The built-in Bentley ContextCapture Cloud Processing Service enables operators to upload UAV imagery direct-to-web without the need for high-end hardware requirements or IT constraints.

“Operators with photos taken by any UAV will easily use the photogrammetric engine integrated into Collage Web for fast generation of 3D engineering-ready reality meshes and digital surface models,” said Charles Rihner, vice president of planning for Topcon Emerging Business. “It will also allow UAV imagery projects to be easily shared with stakeholders. Simply drag and drop data for robust publishing directly via the browser,” said Rihner.

Once the 3D datasets are published to Collage Web, users can take advantage of multiple features including image overlay, taking measurements, annotating, performing asset inventory, and more.

“The datasets can be easily shared with stakeholders via web links with login-free immediate access to the information through smartphone, tablets or PC — allowing remote users to view the area from the same perspective as the operator,” said Rihner.

The integration is part of the ongoing constructioneering initiative, in which Topcon and Bentley collaborate to manage and integrate survey, engineering, and construction data, to streamline construction workflows and improve project delivery.

“Our latest web integration with Bentley Systems brings industry leading cloud-based photogrammetry processing to our MAGNET Collage software, which will deliver increased value for operators,” said Rihner.

Watch the Collage Web video and see the Topcon UAV offering, at topconpositioning.com/CollageWeb and topconpositioning.com/aerial-mapping-mass-data-collection, always one step ahead in technology and customer benefits.

Bentley Systems Announces Availability of OpenSite Designer

Fri, 17 May 2019 14:32:30 +0000

Exton, Pa. – Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the leading global provider of comprehensive software and digital twins services for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure, today announced the availability of OpenSite Designer, its integrated application for civil site and land development workflows across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases. OpenSite Designer advances BIM through comprehensive 3D site design, spanning reality modeling of site conditions from drone imagery and scans, geotechnical analysis, terrain modeling, site layout and grading optimization, stormwater drainage modeling and analysis, underground utilities modeling, detailed drawing production, and enlivened visualizations.

OpenSite Designer enables rapid and iterative conceptual design, leveraging contextual information obtained through point clouds, reality meshes, GIS, and other sources to enhance understanding of existing site conditions. Interoperating with PLAXIS and SoilVision, Bentley’s geotechnical engineering solutions, site plans can be enhanced with new information about the active properties of soil including bearing capacity, stresses, and displacement.

With OpenSite Designer, users can create intelligent 3D models containing site information, terrain data, parking lots, building pads, driveways, sidewalks, parcel layout, and related site features.During preliminary design, the site engineer can complete and subjectively improve the layout while relying on further automated optimizations, which respond to the engineering changes. To complete the project’s digital workflows, OpenSite Designer fully supports the site engineer’s detailed design including the production of all required project deliverables.

For many site engineers, OpenSite Designer will advance civil site design from traditional 2D plans and profiles to a 3D modeling environment, assuring more efficient analysis of hydraulics, geotechnical, geospatial, and earthworks. Incorporating the analytics optimization of Bentley’s SITEOPS technology, OpenSite Designer is the successor to the site design capabilities of Bentley’sPowerCivil, topoGraph, GEOPAK Site, InRoads Site, and MXSite.

Dustin Parkman, vice president, civil infrastructure design integration for Bentley Systems, said, “The collaborative nature of digital workflows converging analysis and simulation with design and modeling is exemplified in our new OpenSite Designer. We’re excited that for the first time there is a complete solution for site design and land development to accelerate site engineers going digital!”

Michael Semeraro, Jr., PE, PP, managing principal, EVP, Langan International, said, “Langan is always looking for opportunities to differentiate ourselves from competitors with technical excellence and expertise. We have depended on SITEOPS for site optimization, earthwork analysis, and cost identification in our planning phase. We now look forward to using OpenSite Designer to also produce our detailed designs and documentation.”

Greg Bentley, CEO of Bentley Systems, said, “Interestingly, after three decades of leadership in civil engineering software scope advancement, the culmination is OpenSite Designer – a very accessible and widely-needed application which combines complete fitness for purpose with unprecedented ease of use and adoption. In effect, it brings to bear what we consider to be the indispensable characteristics of infrastructure digital twins – reality from imagery, veracity from simulation and optimization, and fidelity to design intent across revisions. Both site engineers’ work satisfaction, and their site designs, will be vastly enhanced by the breakthroughs in OpenSite Designer. Try it!”

Learn more about OpenSite Designer.

Exact Metrology Now Offers New Artec LEO 3D Scanner

Thu, 16 May 2019 14:16:51 +0000

Exact Metrology is proud to announce the availability of the Artec LEO 3D scanner, produced by Artec 3D, a world-renowned developer and manufacturer of professional 3D scanners and software. Artec LEO is the first scanner to offer onboard automatic processing with an integrated touch panel viewer and frees users from being tied to a computer for data capture.

The scanner has a 3D reconstruction rate of 80 frames per second, making it the fastest professional scanner on the market. With its large field of view, Artec LEO can scan and process large objects and scenes quickly and accurately.

Artec LEO features data acquisition up to 4 million points/second, with a working range of .35-1.2 m. The 3D resolution on this scanner is up to .5 mm and 3D point accuracy up to .1mm. State-of-the-art technologies including the NVIDIA^® Jetson^TM platform, which is the scanner’s internal computer, featuring Quad-core ARM^® Cortex^®-A57 MPCore CPU and NVIDIA Maxwell^TM 1 TFLOPS GPU with 256 NVIDIA^®CUDA^® Cores; a built-in 9 DoF inertial system- accelerometer, gyro and compass. This allows the scanner to understand its position and environment; and a two-in-one optical system designed to spec for the most exact texture to geometry mapping.

Artec LEO can scan in sunlight, as well as capture dark and shiny objects. As with all Artec scanners, it uses advanced hybrid technology and texture tracking. Therefore, you can point at your object and shoot. There is no need to stick targets and remove them. The texture resolution is 2.3 mp.

This handheld scanner is equipped with a 4” LCD screen to capture images of the data. The 3D light source is provided by state-of-the-art VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) technology. With no need to connect to a computer or to plug in to a main power source, users can hold the scanner and walk around freely, scanning without the worry of wires or additional equipment. Artec LEO’s battery pack allows users to scan for 3.5 to 4 hours. Supplementary battery modules permit unlimited 3D scanning on expeditions or in remote areas. There are 2 cameras on this scanner. One is a range camera for 3D geometry and another is a color camera. The color camera captures color texture data. Besides built-in battery and wireless connectivity, Artec LEO can stream the scanning process to a second device.

GEO Business 2019 Strategic Conference

Tue, 14 May 2019 12:00:51 +0000

In the world of the IoT, when does cool become creepy?

This year’s GEO Business show (21-22 May) in London includes a-free to-attend half-day Strategic Conference plenary session. Attracting a slate of high level thought leaders and opinion formers drawn from across the geospatial business spectrum to address the growing awareness of the concept of the Digital Twin. And – as mobile devices become ever more powerful in the age of the Internet of Things (IoT) – they query, When does cool become creepy?

The conference opens with a hard-hitting keynote from the Geospatial Commission’s CEO, William Priest. Described as “A hands on, strong and visible leader and communicator”, he will introduce and explain the Commission’s Strategic Plan for the UK* followed by an interview with conference chair, Denise McKenzie. Denise, is Executive Director of Communications and Outreach at the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). She will open the debate with an introduction to the subject and offer some conclusions in her closing remarks.

What is the Digital Twin?

To address this emerging concept and its tangible benefits, a panel of leading players in geospatial will ask, how far are we from making it a reality? They include:

Simon Navin, a chartered surveyor and Head of Innovation Programmes at the Britain’s mapper, Ordnance Survey. His team focuses on emerging markets like Autonomous Vehicles, 5G, Smart Cities, the Internet of Things and the Digital Twin.

Matt Leaver is Technical Director GIS & Geospatial, Arcadis and chairs the Association for Geographical Information (AGI) in championing the use of geographic information through advocacy, thought leadership, skills and standards development.

Richard Kelly is Operations Director, buildingSMART International, a worldwide authority driving the transformation of built assets through creation and adoption of open, international standards.

Dr. Anne Kemp, Fellow and Technical Director: BIM, Geospatial and Digital Engineering, Atkins, has been working in the industry for 25 years, delivering information to where it is needed for informed and intelligent decision making.

When does cool become creepy?

The power of the IoT and mobile devices offer exciting opportunities to make lives easier, reduce energy usage, insurance premiums or make homes and cars safer. But when does technology stop being beneficial and instead become a creepy intrusion? When does location tracking become location stalking? What role should government and standards bodies play to provide boundaries to protect and reassure citizens? A panel of technology thought leaders drawn from key players include:

Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologist, Google Inc. Ed works to evangelise geospatial data for commercial application and consequently, to improve the usability and efficiency of location based tools

Leigh Dodds is Director of Advisory at the Open Data Institute. Leigh is passionate about creating products that can make a difference.

Alex Wrottesley, Head of Geovation, Ordnance Survey, is an entrepreneurial leader and a passionate believer in the power of open innovation methodologies to engage, extend and deepen relationships between organisations and their customers.

Ben Scott-Robinson is the founder of The Small Robot Company, describing himself as a digital innovator. His company is crafting three small robots and nurturing their dream to save the world!

*The new Geospatial Commission sits at the centre of government, to direct efforts across public-sector data bodies and to coordinate HMG’s approach to geospatial data. The CEO is a new role created to help deliver this vision, and will oversee strategy, implementation and value creation.

GEO Business acts to improve gender balance in Geospatial

Thu, 09 May 2019 14:05:05 +0000

The geospatial sector has long been strongly male oriented. This year the organisers of the sector’s No. 1 show and conference taking place in London on the 21-22 May are highlighting the increasing opportunities for women through the careers and business experience of female leaders and high achievers. One session in the 22 seminars at GEO Business has no less than five female speakers. Over half of the sessions have at least one female speaker.

Much of the sector’s businesses have traditionally revolved around surveying for dimensional control in construction and for mapping. In the past this has meant long periods of site work and overseas postings, often to inhospitable places. All factors which are a deterrent to women, let alone family life.

Things began to change with the arrival of high-resolution web mapping and imagery, GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and rapid data collection technologies; meaning more work at the desktop and site visits that can often be done in a day or so. There are also growing opportunities in developing aps enabled by mapping, position and place, as well as geospatial services for things like transport, utilities and infrastructure, autonomous vehicles and phones.

In a seminar session at GEO Business on Floods, no less than five female speakers will address the subject. They include Elena Puch of Ambiental Risk Analytics; Dr Pippa Malmgren, Co-Founder H Robotics and one of the Top 100 Women in Tech; Marion Le Massion, Digital Product Manager, Thales; Alexis Hannah Smith, CEO IMGeospatial – one of the Top 11 Female Leaders in Geospatial Globally; and Alison Matthews, Head of Geomatics at the UK’s Environment Agency, who leads a team of technical specialists in capture, processing and analysis of spatial data from ground based sensors as well as aerial, drone and satellite platforms.

Collaboration and diversity is key

Alexis Hannah Smith curated the Floods seminar with an emphasis on giving a platform to women with different levels of experience, ages and backgrounds. As an entrepreneur, also an executive board member of the World Geospatial Industry Council, where collaboration and diversity is key, what advice would she offer to young women contemplating a career in the sector?

“The best advice I would give is to be conscious of the important role that you will be able to play in curbing bias and to use your points of difference as an advantage. With artificial intelligence, big data and automation integral to the geospatial sector in the future, it’s incredibly important that there is diversity of all kinds – not just gender, but age, ethnicity, sexuality, autism etc, in the planning, implementation and quality assurance of tools, which we generate to avoid inherent bias.”

She singles out, “Algorithms with bias for selecting male CVs over female ones in the automated short-listing of job applicants, and photo algorithms incorrectly identifying non-white faces are two widely reported examples. Think about what you’re doing and the way that you’re doing it, instead of just following everyone else.”

Barriers substantially removed

Dr Anne Kemp is one of leading experts and thought leaders on GIS and BIM (Building Information Management). She is a past chair of the Association for Geographical Information and is a Fellow and Technical Director with leading engineering consultancy Atkins. She argues things have changed for women:

“There has been a fascinating shift in appreciation of the role of geospatial in the wider digital transformation of the built environment – and its integration with the natural environment, and with people as individuals, businesses and society. I don’t think there has been a more exciting and dynamic time to enter the geospatial sector – and be a part of responding to the significant global challenges we face. The barriers which made it so difficult for women to enter the sector in the past I would suggest are being substantially removed – don’t hesitate to step forward and make a contribution. Together, we can make a difference.”

Golden Thread panel offers stronger voice

Meanwhile Pam Bhandal, who has organised the ‘Golden Thread’ panel where the majority of speakers are female, thinks panel discussions are one way of giving women a stronger voice:

“Over the last 15 years I have organised, attended and participated in events and I have seen the number of women attend grow at a steady rate. Unlike the number of women speaking at events, which has grown at a much slower rate. Hosting panel discussions where the majority of the panel are women is one way of supporting and encouraging them to get involved. A panel discussion is less formal than presenting slides by yourself on stage to a large audience. At GEO Business, I have organised the ‘Golden Thread’ panel where the majority of speakers are female. This isn’t because they were female, but the best in what they do when I was looking for speakers.”

Pam recalls: “One of my first ever presentations was to an audience of 400 people and without the support of Louise Kelly, global vice-chair of Women In BIM, I would have really struggled. Through her guidance, feedback and the support of the core team of Women in BIM I delivered a content-rich presentation which met the attendees feedback.”

GEO Business Event Director Caroline Hobden comments: “We are delighted to have attracted such a strong line-up of female speakers to this year’s seminar programme. It reflects the growing role and influence of women across the Geospatial sector. We urge girls and young women contemplating their first career moves to attend GEO Business to discover the exciting and fulfilling careers that Geospatial can offer.”

Register to attend now online and join over 20 free-to-attend seminars, exhibitor led workshops and an international exhibition of over 200 leading companies and players.

McCarthy HITT Details Preliminary Plans for Construction of Next NGA West Project in North St. Louis

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 17:15:04 +0000

St. Louis — The Next NGA West (N2W) project, a new campus for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in north St. Louis city, has been awarded to the design-build team of McCarthy HITT with Black & Veatch Gensler JV, and Akima, LLC.

“McCarthy is pleased to have been selected, along with our partners, to build the NGA’s new state-of-the-art campus,” said Jeffery Boyer, vice president, operations, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. and project executive for the McCarthy HITT team. “As the largest federal investment project in St. Louis history it is expected to have a tremendous regional impact in terms of expanding jobs, promoting economic development and strengthening our local community.”

The total project budget of roughly $1.7 billion includes the McCarthy HITT contract of $711.7 million, land procurement, post-construction outfitting of the building, and small business set-aside construction projects. Funds are appropriated through the Pentagon’s military construction budget and Congress has authorized spending over several budget cycles.

“Throughout the project we’ll be working closely with NGA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as many teams of trade partners, community organizations and others,” said Boyer.

He added that the team includes some of the nation’s most capable experts in large federal project execution, design-build/O&M, construction, and federal operations and maintenance from across the nation.

The N2W campus will be built on a 97-acre site in the St. Louis Place neighborhood at Jefferson and Cass avenues in north St. Louis. Designed to replace the current NGA facility located south of downtown, the new development will feature a 712,000-square-foot office building, parking garages, a visitor center, a remote inspection facility and access control points.

The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will oversee design and construction. Preliminary work beginning this spring includes various design and preconstruction activities, submittals and joint planning. Major construction work will begin in early 2020, with plans for the campus to be operational in 2025.

USACE estimates that at its peak in 2022, the project could require up to 1,300 workers per day at the site and create an anticipated 5,000 construction jobs to complete.

NGA has had a significant presence in St. Louis for seven decades and currently employs more than 3,000 local employees. The decision to build at a new location in St. Louis was announced in June 2016, and it is the largest federal investment in St. Louis history.

Benefits of the new campus are expected to include environmental and cost advantages; expanded engagement opportunities with universities and innovative, technology-based companies; an enhanced ability to recruit new employees; and proximity to NGA’s data facilities and current and future workforce. For more information on the project visit www.nextngawest.com.

AEROmetrex Creates 3D Reality Model to Reduce Sydney Congestion

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 10:44:41 +0000

Bentley’s Reality Modeling Solution Processed 60,000 Images in 26 Days for Sydney’s Parramatta Light Rail

Designing a New Rail Line Connecting the Greater Parramatta Area

In November 2016, Australia’s Department of Transport New South Wales (NSW) commissioned AEROmetrex, a world leader in reality modeling, to design the Parramatta Light Rail. The Parramatta Light Rail project was designed to facilitate the shift of Sydney’s population center to the west.

Like many large cities, Sydney, Australia is experiencing rapid growth and unsustainable property prices. The city cannot expand to the east, north, or south due to physical barriers, so it is moving west toward the Greater Parramatta area. By 2036, it is estimated that more than half of Sydney’s population will be centered in this area. There are already developments in place for new residential and commercial locations, a new health precinct, and better access to the Sydney Olympic Park facilities. The challenge, however, is that existing public transportation and rail networks are inadequate to handle these developments. The Parramatta Light Rail project will help ease some of Sydney’s most congested traffic routes and reduce commuting times.

AEROmetrex was retained to create a 3D reality model of the proposed rail network route. This model would be used for preliminary route selection and, later, for community consultation and as a surveying data source. The reality mesh would cover an area of 19.6 square kilometers, or about 7.55 square miles. AEROmetrex needed to create a 3D model that would be used for all aspects of planning, route selection, estimating, and consultation. The project team wanted a model that would help unify data for all disciplines involved in the project, as well as to create a federated dataset to use as the 3D framework for the project.

Creating a 3D Model from Photographs

The Parramatta Light Rail project was the largest high-resolution ContextCapture project undertaken by AEROmetrex. To create the 3D model, the project team photographed nearly 60,000 images of the corridor from a low-altitude oblique perspective using a helicopter over a period of six weeks. By using a helicopter to take photographs of the area, it was safer for the surveyors because they did not have to be on the ground on a busy road or rail corridor. It also helped reduce traffic congestion; any ground-based methods would have added to Parramatta Road’s congestion, requiring specialist traffic management companies to manage any stationary surveying.

The reality mesh was then scaled to GPS-surveyed ground control using Bentley’s ContextCapture to provide a final overall accuracy. It took about 10 weeks to create and deliver the 3D model to the client. The project team edited and retextured the 3D models, providing high data integrity on features that were of special interest to AEROmetrex’s client. The team also created a “true ortho” of the area, a scale-corrected 2D image where all the features, including the one above the terrain surface, were represented in their true position. This feature ensured that no details were obscured by buildings or trees.

Providing a Single Source of Truth

AEROmetrex’s 3D model improved collaboration between stakeholders by adding interpretability and context to all forms of other data. It created a single source of truth and provided easy incorporation of design models and underground services. The model can be displayed and used with all Bentley applications. The project has delivered a holistic, interdisciplinary, and federated dataset, creating a solitary location where users can trust that the information is accurate. The design models could also be readily integrated into the reality mesh and even textured in the final presentation. They can then be used to access various parts of the project, such as security and visibility, before beginning the physical construction. Finally, the ability to integrate and display underground services data into a 3D reality model is a profound benefit, improving collaboration between rail construction contractors and utility and service companies.

Improving Community Connectivity

Once constructed, the project will have significant positive impacts on the local community. Currently, the 3D reality model removes uncertainty and fear of the unknown by allowing the community to view the model from any angle or perspective. This capability helps people see how the project will impact the local community and the benefits. The project will ultimately lead to fast and safe public transport and connect western Sydney communities that were currently only available by car. It will also decentralize jobs and growth to the west, reduce pressure on growth in other parts of the city, and provide an essential link between Sydney and Parramatta.

By using Bentley applications to help design the rail, the project team reduced its environmental impact on the surrounding area. ContextCapture allowed the data to be captured quickly in a helicopter, minimizing the number of vehicles needed to survey the area. Also, the inclusion of accurately depicted features in the reality mesh will enable better management of environmental impact on those features, which may not have been modeled in traditional surveying approaches. It is much more cost-effective to assess impacts and to test scenarios in the virtual world than in the physical world. Virtual modeling has zero environmental influence apart from the electricity used to run computers.

Saving Time with 3D Modeling

The final data products were delivered to the client in April 2017. Implementing Bentley applications realized significant time savings for the Parramatta Light Rail plan. The project team processed the thousands of images in 26 days. Using Bentley applications allowed the team to edit the model in 45 days, meeting the project deadline.

Moving forward, team members will test various options for the rail line in the virtual space, including routing, obstruction removal, property assessment of property acquisitions, and widening of corridors. The successful execution of the final Parramatta Light Rail plan connected the western Sydney communities with the rest of the city. Since this project has been implemented, AEROmetrex has continued to enhance their project solutions by using Bentley’s sophisticated reality modeling applications.

National Geospatial Program garners award

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:18:54 +0000

Land cover data draped over lidar and aerial photography for the Upper Mississippi River System floodplain, between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Cairo, Illinois. (Image: Public domain.)

Denver — The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) team was selected as the recipient of the 2018 “LiDAR Leader Award”, presented Feb. 5 at the International LiDAR Mapping Forum in Denver.

The “Outstanding Enterprise Achievement in LiDAR” award is open to private and government organizations that demonstrate exceptional achievements in the area of service, project management or product development within the realm of geospatial LiDAR technology.

The 3D Elevation Program was cited for the promotion and advancement of the uses of lidar technology across the nation. Through the efforts of the 3DEP team, the program communicates the value of LiDAR, builds LiDAR partnerships, makes data visible and accessible, improves data acquisition and quality, and most importantly, produces freely available LiDAR data for use in an endless array of applications.

The data that 3DEP provides support a broad range of nationally significant applications including:

flood risk management;
infrastructure construction and management;
energy development;
geologic resource assessment and mapping;
natural hazards assessments and mitigation;
natural resource management;
precision agriculture, and more.

3DEP was born from the National Enhanced Elevation Study (NEEA) that documented the data needs of 34 federal agencies, 50 states, and a sampling of local, tribal and private organizations. 3DEP is designed based on the NEEA benefit-cost analysis to conservatively provide new benefits of $690 million/year with the potential to generate $13 billion/year in new benefits through applications that span the economy. The 2012 study not only underpins the goals of 3DEP, it also continues to build a strong case for lidar among decision makers, for the USGS and the whole community.

With the program design established, the 3DEP team has worked to build lidar acquisition partnerships among federal, state, local, tribal and other entities, to work toward the goal of nationwide LiDAR coverage (IfSAR in Alaska) in eight years. The USGS and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are co-leads of the OMB A-16 Elevation Theme under the Federal Geographic Data Committee, and jointly lead the 3D Nation Elevation Subcommittee to coordinate terrestrial and bathymetric elevation data and perform National Geospatial Data Asset portfolio management functions for the elevation theme.

The 3DEP Executive Forum and Working Group leads federal coordination and the processes to engage non-federal partners in 3DEP data acquisition and other program matters. In partnership with NOAA, the 3DEP team maintains the U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory annually to document all publicly available LiDAR available, in work, or planned, so that all users across the community can discover data and plan projects to avoid duplication.

The 3DEP Working Group also supports and populates federal data requirements in the NOAA Seasketch tool to stimulate and broadly promote leveraging of partnerships. The federal requirements compiled in Seasketch are published in the annual Broad Agency Announcement, to solicit partnerships from all sources.

Additional enhancements the 3DEP team is working toward are to establish a national multiyear plan for acquisition made up of state acquisition plans, and a national tiling scheme for planning and data delivery. These efforts will result in an orderly, systematic plan for completing 3DEP data coverage for the nation. When the partnerships have been formed, the data are acquired through the Geospatial Products and Services Contracts (GPSC) or cooperative agreements.

The 3DEP team has processed growing data acquisition investments, for example in FY17 nearly $87 million of data acquisition was processed for a large range of federal, state, local, tribal and other partners. When the data are delivered from the private sector contractors and cooperative agreement partners, the 3DEP team QCs the data, using the USGS LiDAR Base Specification to ensure data quality and consistency. The specification is maintained by the 3DEP team and used as a standard across the industry. After the data pass inspection, the 3DEP team processes and publishes the data in The National Map, which is publicly accessible.

The 3DEP team is working with NOAA to develop the successor to NEEA, the 3D National Requirements and Benefits Study, to further document user needs for elevation data from the depths of the oceans to the peaks of the mountains and into the future. The team also continues to look forward and is moving to the cloud, assessing emerging technologies for use in the program, and testing inland topobathymetric data acquisition, to one day extend the elevation surface under water bodies.

In summary, the efforts of the 3DEP team span the full life cycle of LiDAR data, from requirement to distribution, and into the future as we envision the next generation of elevation data. The impacts of the team’s work are far reaching, in providing data to critical applications, in sharing tools like the USIEI and best practices like the LiDAR base specification, to building the case for lidar among the nation’s decision makers. The Outstanding Enterprise Achievement in Lidar Award recognizes the 3DEP team’s varied work to bring national leadership to the lidar community.

GEO Business 2018 calls for abstracts for new geospatial seminar program

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 15:10:05 +0000

London — The organizers of the UK’s largest geospatial event, GEO Business 2018, issued a call to those working at the cutting edge of geospatial developments to submit abstracts for a newly launched seminar program to be held at the Business Design Centre in London May 22-23, 2018.

The GEO Business team are seeking revolutionary and thought-provoking abstracts that truly demonstrate the remarkable impact geospatial technologies and solutions are having on our global environment. The new seminar program will run alongside a strategic senior level conference of invited speakers. It will also sit outside the well-established commercial workshop program, which is hosted by exhibitors demonstrating their latest products and services.

During the two-day event, expert presenters will explore how geospatial solutions have enabled projects to run more efficiently, ensuring that they are delivered on time, while saving money and reducing risk. The GEO Business team are looking for abstracts within a variety of industry sectors, however, abstracts within the following fields are of particular interest:

Architecture, Engineering & Construction;
Asset Management;
Environmental; Heritage;
Highways;
Instruction & Monitoring;
Insurance;
Proptech and Commercial Property;
Rail; Robotics & Automation;
Safety & Security;
Tunneling & Mining; and
Utilities and Water.

Abstracts on the following technologies and applications are also of interest (but are not limited to):

Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, BIM;
GIS & Big Data;
Laser Scanning;
Mobile Mapping;
Remote Sensing;
Smart Cities;
Surveying; and
UAVs and Visualization.

All interested parties are asked to submit an abstract online at www.GeoBusinessShow.com before the deadline of Jan. 29, 2018. All submitted abstracts will be reviewed and the final program will be launched in March 2018.

GEO Business is designed for everyone involved in gathering, storing, processing and delivery of geospatial information. The 2018 show is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors from more than 50 countries, incorporating an international trade exhibition, a cutting-edge conference, industry focused seminars, live commercial workshops and an innovative program of social events. The exhibition, seminars and workshops are all free to attend; online registration will open in January 2018.

For more information and to submit an abstract, visit www.GeoBusinessShow.com.

3D Repo releases version 2.0 of cross-platform BIM and geospatial collaboration software

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:54:45 +0000

London — 3D Repo has turned to the latest gaming technology to enhance its cloud-based BIM collaboration software with multi-platform access to 3D BIM models and data. Utilizing a new rendering engine, based on the popular Unity gaming platform, improves 3D Repo’s memory footprint and unifies the BIM solution across the desktop, web and even Virtual Reality (VR) devices, so all new features are simultaneously accessible across all platforms.

“In recent years, Unity has become a popular platform for the development of a broad range of visualization and VR applications due to its ease of use, cross-platform compatibility and accessibility,” commented Dr Jozef Dobos, CEO of 3D Repo. “However, within these applications, 3D assets are generally bundled with executables or streamed in a proprietary format, making frequent changes in design within the AEC industry impossible.

“Within a rapidly changing construction project this just isn’t good enough, which is why we devised the 3DRepo4Unity library, which is more flexible, platform agnostic and can be extended to other game engines, too,” he continued. “What is more, our solution allows access to the underlying metadata and engineering information that is simply not possible using Unity alone. That is because Unity natively incorporates only ‘dumb’ geometry in file formats such as FBX.”

Incorporated into the latest version of the 3D Repo collaboration platform – 3drepo.io v2.0 – the newly developed technology allows 3D asset models to be dynamically loaded from a remote, version controlled repository, such as the 3D Repo online knowledge base, and accessed from any web enabled device.

The new version of this popular open source BIM collaboration platform generates dynamic resources – or ‘knowledge packages’ – from a remote repository. The 3D Repo viewer easily visualises 3D revisions from the cloud without any previous knowledge of the assets, all in real-time. The use of the Unity game engine also improves the memory footprint of the 3D Repo solution as, once the data is loaded into the GPU memory, the main CPU memory is freed and available to power other applications required by the user.

The new system is now available at https://www.3drepo.io for anyone to try free.

A research paper detailing how the new 3D Repo platform can dynamically populate the Unity environment was recently published at the 22nd International Conference on 3D Web Technology held in Brisbane, Australia, titled “3DRepo4Unity: Dynamic Loading of Version Controlled 3D Assets into the Unity Game Engine.” This scientific publication received the ACM Web3D 2017 Best Paper Award. Full text of the publication is available online at: https://3drepo.org/projects/3drepo4unity-dynamic-loading-of-version-controlled-3d-assets-into-the-unity-game-engine.

Geospatial-themed event kicks off Digital Construction Week

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:00:50 +0000

London — The annual Digital Construction Week kicked off on Monday Oct. 16 with a packed British Information Modelling event held at the Geovation hub in central London. The fourth in a series of bi-annual events organized by 3D Repo, speakers from Bryden Wood, Skanska, Flux, Ordnance Survey and Podaris took up a geospatial theme with delegates debating issues such as data access, integration and collaboration.

Skanska’s Vaibhav Tyagi talked about its lead in the Innovate UK government backed project to provide integration between geospatial and BIM data. Elite Sher of Bryden Wood was then joined by 3D Repo’s Pavol Knapo to present their developments in 4D sequence visualization on 3D Repo’s cloud-based digital construction platform.

Layla Gordon of Ordnance Survey took to the stage to explain pioneering R&D work linking Augmented Reality (AR) to GIS data, showing examples of AR at both city and internal building levels. Anthony Buckley-Thorp of Flux then presented a solution for easy access to contextual data for design and planning purposes. The event was rounded off with a talk from Nathan Koren of Podaris, who discussed the long lead times affecting infrastructure projects and presented a solution designed to free data held in data silos and speed decision making.

“This is the fourth British Information Modelling event held over a two-year period and it is remarkable to witness the speed of technological innovation in the construction and infrastructure sectors,” commented 3D Repo’s CEO Dr Jozef Dobos. “With so much data being created the focus now is finding ways to make best use of it. As a provider of an open platform designed to ease collaboration, it was encouraging to see how the industry and technology suppliers are working together to open up and share data, with innovations that make data simpler to visualize and understand.”

For the second year running, 3D Repo has arranged British Information Modelling in coordination with Digital Construction Week (DCW), which takes place this week at London’s Excel (October 18-19, 2017). As a pioneer of cloud-based design collaboration in BIM, 3D Repo will be on stand C49 and D43 exhibiting its latest developments, including Virtual Reality and 4D modelling applications.

USGS releases a new geospatial framework for water-related information

Wed, 10 May 2017 13:40:31 +0000

Reston, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released the first NHDPlus High Resolution (NHDPlus HR) datasets in Beta version. The NHDPlus Beta is available for Hydrologic Regions 1, 2, 6, 12, 14, 15 and 16 covering a quarter of the area of conterminous United States. NHDPlus HR Beta production and release will continue on a regional basis through 2018 for the conterminous U.S., followed by Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories. Users are invited to review the Beta version datasets, and the feedback will be used to update and improve subsequent NHDPlus HR dataset releases.

The NHDPlus HR is a scalable geospatial hydrography framework built from high resolution National Hydrography Dataset, nationally complete Watershed Boundary Dataset, and ⅓ arc-second (10 meter ground spacing) 3D Elevation Program data. The NHDPlus HR brings modeling and assessment down to a local, neighborhood level, while nesting seamlessly into the national context.

Like the NHDPlus version 2, the NHDPlus HR is comprised of a nationally seamless network of stream reaches, elevation-based catchment areas, flow surfaces, and value-added attributes that enhance stream network navigation, analysis, and data display. However, users will find that the NHDPlus HR, which will increase the number of features nationally from three million in the NHDPlus Version 2 to over 30 million, provides richer, more current content that can be used at a variety of scales.

The NHDPlus HR framework extends the hydrologic network seamlessly across the terrain by including not only streams, but also associated catchment areas that drain to each stream segment. This association allows information about the landscape to be related to the stream network. Observational data on the stream network, such as water quality samples, streamgage measurements, or fish distribution, can also be linked to the framework. Together, the framework and linked data can support a limitless range and type of applications, for example:

Predicting risk, timing, and magnitude of flood events
Estimating when and where an event such as a toxic spill will affect downstream populations and ecosystems
Enabling riparian property owners to better understand upstream invasive species threats

When completed, the NHDPlus HR will provide a common framework that is open and accessible for use by everyone, including government, citizens, and industry. It will be the geospatial framework supporting the Open Water Data Initiative, which seeks to integrate currently fragmented water information into a connected national water data infrastructure to underpin innovation, modeling, data sharing, and solution development.

Information and product details about the NHDPlus HR, including the Beta release, production schedules, and review process, are available on the NHDPlus HR informational page on the USGS Hydrography website at https://nhd.usgs.gov/NHDPlus_HR.html.

Contact nhd@usgs.gov directly to participate in the NHDPlus HR Beta review process.

Burns & McDonnell awarded commissioning services contract for new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Campus in St. Louis

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:48:19 +0000

St. Louis — Burns & McDonnell has been awarded a $9.5 million indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) for commissioning services to be provided during the programming, design and construction of a new NGA replacement campus in North St. Louis. The contract covers all of the project through design, construction and transition phases of the Next NGA West (N2W) campus.

The commissioning program is already underway in support of preliminary engineering design of facilities on the new 99-acre campus. Commissioning activities over the duration of the contract will support programming, planning, design, construction and operation of N2W facilities.

Commissioning is increasingly recognized as a critical step in the programming, design and construction of highly complex facilities because of the potential of reducing maintenance and operating costs, extending lifetimes of systems and equipment and ensuring comfortable and productive environments for building occupants. Commissioning professionals are now commonly engaged during early-phase project design as a strategy to better manage project budgets and reduce project risk.

“We are honored to be a part of a project that is so important to the city of St. Louis and to our national security,” says David Meyers, Manager of Commissioning for Burns & McDonnell. “These facilities will have some of the most complex systems ever constructed so commissioning will play a key role in getting this unprecedented program turned over to the NGA.”

The North St. Louis site was selected in early 2016. The NGA has been located in St. Louis since 1942. But the current campus could no longer support the NGA’s rapidly evolving mission as both an intelligence and combat support agency. The NGA fulfills many national security priorities in partnership with the intelligence community and Department of Defense.

AEC TECH NEWS: myWorld 3.1 brings flexible mobility options to enterprise geospatial applications

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 09:54:20 +0000

Cambridge, UK — Ubisense Group plc released myWorld 3.1 with new flexible data download and sync options plus a completely redesigned phone interface for rapid field data entry.

A situational awareness and operation support solution, myWorld integrates data from any source – complex GISs, real-time asset data, GPS location, corporate systems and external cloud-based sources – into a live, geospatial, common operating picture.

myWorld already supports the ability to work offline, with a mechanism for syncing large data volumes with devices in the field. myWorld 3.1 introduces additional flexibility for managing offline data by enabling users to select and download smaller sets of data on demand. This approach is often easier to set up and maintain as it reduces the level of IT required to manage large sync processes. It also offers additional flexibility with the ability to download data from a wide range of sources.

The user interface of myWorld 3.1’s phone application has been significantly redesigned, making it easier to use and supporting additional functionality. In particular, editing functionality is now available on phones and forms are automatically reformatted for smaller sized screens as needed. Identical offline data capabilities are provided across all supported myWorld mobile devices, including phones, tablets and laptops, running iOS, Android and Windows 7 and up.

myWorld is continually being developed to enable users to work offline in an increasingly online world. It provides the benefits of working online when possible, enabling both field and office workers to see relevant real-time information as appropriate, but then smoothly transition to offline working when necessary.

Peter Batty, CTO Geospatial Division at Ubisense, said, “myWorld 3.1 continues our innovation in providing new ways of managing offline geospatial data and seamlessly transitioning between online and offline working. The redesigned phone application is easier to use and expands the capabilities available – phones are good options for inspection and other forms-based data capture applications.”

AEC TECH NEWS: Trimble introduces geospatial software enhancements

Tue, 05 May 2015 11:50:39 +0000

Tampa, Fla. — Trimble announced a series of new software enhancements that enable photogrammetry, GIS, geospatial and remote sensing professionals to streamline workflows, achieve faster results and gain increased value from highly accurate geospatial data. Enhancements include the Trimble Inpho version 6.1 photogrammetric suite, UASMaster version 6.1 and UASMaster Lite for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) applications and eCognition version 9.1 and eCognition Essentials version 1.1 image analysis software.

“Optimizing software workflows for our customers to gain value from imaging data is critical for the success of geospatial professionals and a continued focus of Trimble Geospatial,” said Alain Samaha, business area director of GIS and Geospatial Software Solutions for Trimble’s Geospatial Division. “The new enhancements will enable customers to streamline processes and increase their efficiency and productivity, which translates to increased cost savings and decreased operational expenditures.”

Photogrammetry professionals generating high-quality deliverables, with Trimble’s Inpho software, such as 3D CAD line work, GIS layers and DTMs, can now reduce production time by days through optimized geo-referencing capabilities and new tools for CAD object creation. The Inpho version 6.1 enhancements allow snapping-to-elevation and draping lines-to-elevation models — for greater efficiency in creating CAD data layers — while maintaining the highest level of accuracy.

The UASMaster version 6.1 software enhancements offer greater productivity through new support for precise GNSS data that allows users to reduce the number of ground control points required without compromising accuracy. And, for professionals new to the UAS market, UASMaster is now also available in an entry-level “Lite” edition. The new UASMaster Lite edition allows users to quickly extract high quality deliverables within a simplified workflow, while obtaining the same industry-leading quality offered with Inpho software. Inpho version 6.1 and UASMaster version 6.1 now also include a direct interface connection to Trimble’s eCognition analysis software, making it easier to obtain actionable and valuable information from imagery data in land classification maps, GIS layers and change analysis.

eCognition version 9.1, an object-based image analysis software, now includes enhanced multi-core processing, allowing GIS, geospatial and remote sensing professionals to extract valuable information from satellite and aerial based data faster than before. New GIS-based analytic tools and improved tools for packaging applications make it easier to create customer solutions. eCognition Essentials version 1.1 provides up to 50-percent faster processing than previously, including improved flexibility and control of classification workflows for professionals generating land-cover mapping deliverables.

eCognition 9.1, eCognition Essentials 1.1, Inpho 6.1, UASMaster 6.1 and UASMaster Lite software are available now through Trimble’s Geospatial Distribution Channel.

Learn more about Trimble’s new geospatial solutions at www.trimble.com/OSworkflow.

AEC TECH NEWS: Trimble expands geospatial portfolio

Thu, 23 Apr 2015 10:18:20 +0000

Sunnyvale, Calif. — Trimble announced an expanded portfolio of geospatial solutions for surveyors, engineers and mapping professionals, including new total stations, a new GNSS receiver and new field and office software features. The solutions save time, reduce costs, streamline workflows and produce high-quality geospatial deliverables across a wide range of industries.

“Trimble’s portfolio expansion will enable our customers to work in a more efficient, seamless and collaborative manner,” said Chris Gibson, vice president of Trimble. “Trimble’s solutions are best known for quality, dependability and performance. Our vision is to equip customers with the most innovative tools, which includes a focus on offering new software applications that streamline and elevate the value of geospatial data to guide smart decision-making and transform the way organizations work.”

The expanded portfolio of productivity solutions include:

Total Station Solutions — A range of new and enhanced robotic total stations — the Trimble S5, S7 and S9 — improve project efficiencies, productivity and deliverables. Times saving enhancements include improved Trimble VISION technology, SureScan technology included in the S7 and optional in the S9 total station, and the DR Plus electronic distance measurement technology as a standard feature. Theft and loss risks are also minimized now with Locate2Protect technology embedded in each instrument, allowing users to remotely track the location of their equipment in real-time using Trimble InSphere Equipment Manager.

In the office, Trimble Business Center software can be used to create high-dynamic-range (HDR) images using data captured with total stations. A new total station data editor enables fieldwork to be rapidly reviewed and allows surveyors to create deliverables with confidence.

Scanning Solutions — Trimble continues to blend powerful 3D laser scanning and imaging hardware with workflow-based software to drive new efficiencies for survey applications and construction planning and design. The Trimble TX8 3D laser scanner now offers greater accuracy (down to 1 mm) and streamlined onboard operation when measuring to longer ranges, decreasing the field time required for capturing reliable high-accuracy data. Enhanced tools in Trimble RealWorks software version 9.1 further reduce the time to produce high-quality deliverables from Trimble TX8 data. The new version of Trimble RealWorks software includes improved workflows for creating floor settlement plans and 3D pipeline models as well as complete storage tank inspection and reporting capabilities.

GNSS Solutions — The new Trimble R8s Integrated GNSS receiver and updated version of Trimble Access field software combine to offer configurable and scalable settings. Surveyors have the flexibility across their workflows by being able to tailor the Trimble R8s receiver with the updated field software for their specific application. The ability to customize provides flexibility for future business requirements and allows customers to maximize efficiencies across their workflows.

Imaging Solutions — Trimble enhancements to Trimble VISION workflows increase the value of highly accurate image data. Survey, engineering and civil infrastructure professionals can now generate dense point cloud deliverables in Trimble Business Center from images captured using the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover. Users can also quickly generate 2D CAD and 3D real-world models from images captured with Trimble total stations using the streamlined workflows created within Trimble Business Center and SketchUp software.

To learn more about Trimble’s new geospatial solutions, visit www.trimble.com/timetodomore.

ASPRS survey finds hiring in the geospatial industry continues despite high U.S. unemployment rates

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

BETHESDA, MD. — Despite an 8.6-percent unemployment rate in the United States, at least 57 percent of the Sustaining Member organizations of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) are currently hiring for jobs within the geospatial industry. ASPRS recently conducted a survey of 129 ASPRS Sustaining Member career websites, and determined that in the month of November, at least 73 ASPRS Sustaining Member companies/agencies had job postings on their websites that consisted of positions ranging from entry-level jobs to high-level executive positions.

“We are very excited with these statistics,” said Brian Murphy, vice chair of the ASPRS Sustaining Members Council. “While the national and local media continue to saturate the airwaves with reports on high unemployment, we feel that these survey results provide a particularly positive outlook for students and individuals who might be seeking jobs within the geospatial industry.”

ASPRS Sustaining Members consist of private and publically traded firms, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and government agencies ranging in size from a few individuals to hundreds of thousands of employees. Many of these organizations provide services that include sensor and software development, aerial mapping, photogrammetry, GIS consulting, data processing, photo interpretation, LiDAR surveys, research and development, topographic mapping, teaching, and more.

TRB seeks consultants for DOT geospatial use study

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. — TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) is seeking expressions of interest from consultants interested in producing a state-of-the-practice synthesis that documents advanced geospatial data tools, technologies, and information for highway projects, including procedures and proposed standards of practice that can be used to attain the level of accuracy when using these advanced geospatial technologies. Expressions of interest by consultants are due by Aug. 12, 2011.

Potential contractors should visit the NCHRP Synthesis Topics website to view a sample consultant contract, review the milestones related to a synthesis project, and obtain information on how to submit an expression of interest.

Additional information on the project is available online.

National Map Users Conference and Geospatial Information Science Workshop announced

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) and the Office of Enterprise Information announced The National Map Users Conference (TNM UC), and the Geographic Information Science Workshop to be held May 10-13, 2011, in Lakewood, Colo. This inaugural event will assemble a wide range of participants including scientists, managers, and geospatial professionals from government, industry, academia, and other organizations.

A goal of TNM UC is to share accomplishments and progress, acknowledge best practices, and exchange innovative ideas concerning The National Map in supporting science initiatives. The role of the GIS Workshop will be learning specific techniques for using GIS in support of science. Interactive dialog will be encouraged through panel and lightning sessions, poster presentations, workshops, and demonstrations.

The Conference Agenda Committee is encouraging submission of abstracts for presentations, demonstrations, and posters. More information and abstract submission is available at https://nationalmap.gov/uc.

Interior Department seeks nominations for National Geospatial Advisory Committee

Tue, 22 May 2007 12:00:00 +0000

The Interior Department is seeking nominations for membership on the newly formed National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC). The NGAC is being created to advise the federal government on management of national geospatial programs and development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The NSDI promotes sharing of geospatial data throughout all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and the academic community.

The effort to establish the NGAC was initiated as a result of the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s (FGDC) Future Directions strategic planning effort, which was completed in 2005. The Future Directions governance report recommended establishing a new national geospatial coordination body comprising representatives of federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as representatives from the private and non-profit sectors. The NGAC will include approximately 20 to 25 members, who will be selected to generally achieve a balanced representation of the viewpoints of the various partners involved in national geospatial activities. The Secretary of the Interior will appoint committee members and their alternates to serve two-year terms.

Nominations for committee membership should be submitted electronically to ngacnominations@fgdc.gov by June 28, 2007. Nominations should include the following:
• a statement summarizing the nominee’s qualifications and interest in committee membership, and describing the nominee’s ability to represent a stakeholder group;
• a biographical sketch, resume, or vita;
• a list of three references or endorsements; and
• contact information for the nominee.

Committee members serve without compensation. However, members may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses incurred while attending committee meetings in accordance with the federal travel regulations.

A draft charter for the NGAC is available here. To learn more about the Federal Geographic Data Committee, visit www.fgdc.gov. To learn more about the Geospatial Line of Business initiative, visit www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/c-6-8-glob.html.

PB leads AEC involvement in Open Geospatial Consortium

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:00:00 +0000

NEW YORK—PB is the first architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) consultancy to be a voting member of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). The OGC is an international industry consortium of more than 300 companies, government agencies, and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available interface specifications. Open GIS specifications support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" web, wireless, and location-based services and mainstream information technology. The specifications empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications.

"The OGC consensus standards development process has benefited from PB’s commitment, demonstrated leadership, and collaboration with other OGC member organizations in addressing this important interoperability area of challenge," says OGC President Mark Reichardt. "I encourage other industry organizations to join this initiative to accelerate our path to greater interoperability."

Doug Eberhard, a PB vice president and the keynote speaker at a recent OGC Interoperability Day adds, "After several years of laying the groundwork, the AEC industry is poised to significantly improve how digital information assets are used throughout the life of infrastructure projects. Integrating AEC and geospatial technology practices is an important step forward for the infrastructure industry by integrating engineering and construction data with geospatial information for whole cities and regions."

PB has provided leadership for the growing emphasis on infrastructure activities in the OGC as the founding chair of OGC’s 3-D Information Management (3DIM) working group.

"We encourage other AEC industry leaders to learn more about the OGC process and become actively involved in creating future technology advances," Eberhard says. "These developments can provide our clients, the infrastructure owners, with a host of benefits, including greater efficiency, sustainability, and improved project value."

Geospatial workforce information

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 12:00:00 +0000

The Geospatial Industry Workforce Information System, a pilot project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through a $700,000 grant to &quotdefine and communicate geospatial industry workforce need,&quot launched a website at www.giwis.org . Currently focused on Colorado, the site was designed by the Geospatial Information & Technology Association and the Association of American Geographers to be a model site for other locations. The site is designed as a one-stop resource for finding geospatial jobs, qualified employees, educational resources, schools, industry data, salary information, and more.

GIS/Geospatial Market Continues to Be Strong

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 12:00:00 +0000

According to the latest research from Daratech, Inc., a leading market research firm for the information technology industries, the market for GIS and geospatial equipment, software, and services continues to increase. The company forecasts that worldwide revenue will reach $3.6 billion this year, up from $2.82 billion in 2004.

The growth is driven by sales of commercial data products and the emergence of desktop- and Internet-based systems, Daratech reports. Software developers comprise more than half of this projected revenue ($1.5 billion), with three vendors (ESRI, Bentley, and Intergraph Corp.) accounting for about half of the industry’s total software revenues.
Data is the second largest component of revenues, which is projected at $677 million for 2006. Client services and hardware sales make up the rest of the revenue picture, Daratech reports.

So who is buying all of this technology? Daratech says that utilities and other regulated industries (telecommunications, transportation, and education) continue to be the largest consumers, contributing about half of the revenue. The public sector-local, state, and federal government agencies-account for more than one-third of GIS/geospatial technology purchases, Daratech says. And while the private sector continues to lag in exploring these technologies, acceptance is growing within the A/E/C industry.

Geospatial – Civil + Structural Engineer magazine

Trimble Launches New IonoGuard Technology to Mitigate Costly GNSS Signal Interruptions

WSP Geospatial Threat Management Tool Cited for Engineering Innovation

S&T professors named inaugural fellows of the Taylor Geospatial Institute

Trimble Advances Reality Capture with the New X9 3D Laser Scanner

TWM Appoints New Chief Operating Officerto Drive Growth & Innovation

Leica Geosystems introduces the next evolution in smart, autonomous mobile mapping

Missouri S&T researchers awarded seed grants from Taylor Geospatial Institute

EagleView Unveils Revolutionary Geospatial Platform for Industries and Public Sector

Geospatial tech firm sets its sights on sustainable data solutions

AirWorks Announces Partnership with Nearmap, Officially Launching Data Marketplace

All Systems Launched – Geo Week 2023 Announces Five Strategic Event Partnerships

Ecobot Extends Integration With Popular GNSS Systems

Presagis Teams with Kambill Systems to Provide Artificial Intelligence-Based Geospatial Services in Asia Pacific

Trimble Introduces Innovative Rail Module for Real-Time Monitoring Software

Bowman adds Reality Capture Services Through Acquisition of Spatial Acuity

TRIMBLE AND ABI GMBH OFFER TRIMBLE READY OPTION FOR PILING AND DRILLING MACHINES

JUNTTAN OY TO OFFER TRIMBLE GROUNDWORKS MACHINE CONTROL FOR PILING MACHINES FROM THE FACTORY

Hexagon and LocLab announce strategic partnership to accelerate the adoption of Smart Digital Realities in transportation, construction and urban planning

Drone Analytics Market worth $6.5 billion by 2027 – Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™

GeoCue Makes European Debut of LP360 Point Cloud Software and the New TrueView 655/660 3D Imaging Sensor at Intergeo 2022

The TrueView product line and LP360 software are now available in Europe. See them at Intergeo 2022.

Carlson Partners With Autel Robotics to Offer Full UAS to CAD Workflow

Universal Engineering Sciences Launches Virtual Design Consulting Services to Better Serve Architects, Engineers and Contractors

Subsurface Information Modeling (SIM) and 3D Laser Scanning Provides More Accurate Building Information Models (BIM), Increases Safety and Boosts Project Efficiency and Profitability

Medaro Mining Completes an Airborne Geophysical Survey at Yurchison Uranium Property in Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan

ProStar Announces Trimble Integration Of PointMan For Apple iOS

Media Alert: Low-Level Flights to Image 3D Geology in Western Arkansas

LAND INFO Announces Updated 10m USA Countrywide Land Use Land Cover Mapping Dataset

Phase One Selects Globe Flight as Sales Partner for Drone Solutions in Germany and Austria

Phase One P3 DJI Offers Millimeter Resolution

NextNav Partners with Critical Response Group to Strengthen Mapping for Emergency Response

Vertical location will enable awareness and intelligence for mapping of schools, hospitals, public buildings

Orolia’s John Fischer Receives the Institute of Navigation’s 2022 Distinguished PTTI Service Award

Fischer Honored for His Outstanding Contributions Related to Precise Time and Frequency Systems and Position, Navigation and Timing Applications

AMH Philippines and Synspective sign MoU for Strategic Alliance to use SAR Data for Geohazard Mitigation Projects in the Philippines

Seiler Instrument Announces Acquisition of Assets to Expand Presence as a Geospatial Solutions Provider in Iowa and Illinois

Golden Software Facilitates Map Making and Data Export in Latest Surfer® Surface Mapping Package

Geo Week 2022

HERE releases global library of terrestrial lidar data for real-world 3D modeling applications

Trimble Expands Sensor Integration and Support for its Geospatial Monitoring Solution

Trimble 4D Control Adds Support for the Trimble SX Series Scanning Total Station and Trimble Access Software; Integrates Vibration and Weather Sensors Creating a Comprehensive Monitoring Solution

Bentley Systems Announces Seequent’s Acquisition of Advanced Resources and Risk Technology (AR2Tech)

Bringing State-of-the-Art Geostatistical Algorithms to the Geomodeling Community to Solve Complex Geospatial Problems

Trimble Establishes Dr. Gladys West Scholarship Program

Scholarship Program to Honor Technology Pioneer and Hidden Figure Who Helped Invent GPS

Pix4D is at InterGeo to showcase terrestrial RTK scanning solutions, new licenses and promotions

U.S. Army’s Sentinel A4 Radar Program Receives Orolia M-Code Solution

Orolia Defense & Security Delivers M-Code Enabled Timing & Sync to Lockheed Martin

Bentley Systems Announces Seequent’s Acquisition of Aarhus GeoSoftware

Enriching Subsurface Digital Twins through Electromagnetic Remote Sensing for Water, Environmental, and Infrastructure Resilience

NEW SOFTWARE SYSTEM AIMS TO TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF BUSINESS GROWTH

MG AEC Technology Partners Hosts Innovative ‘Power of Where’ Symposium, Illustrating How Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industries, Partnered With Geographic Information Systems, Transform the World’s Built Environment

Industry leaders share breakthroughs, best practices, and how exactly next-generation spatial intelligence programs can and will shape the future

ATLAS | Automating territory segmentation on satellite imagery – WEBINAR

Choosing the Right Antenna for GPR Investigations

Look for the highest frequency that can detect objects at the desired depth

Developer Paul McKee, Jr./M Property Services Advance Vision for St. Louis Geospatial Intelligence Hub with NGA Groundbreaking

NorthSide Regeneration development plans include GEOINT Village in the Innovation District

NGA breaks ground on new facility in North St. Louis

Crucial Geospatial Technology Trends in Future

Miniaturization of Sensors

Consistent Accessibility of EO Information

Geospatial AI or Geo.AI

BIM

Autonomous Vehicles

Mapping as a Service

Smart Cities

Drones

Vectorworks, Inc. Announces 2020 Version of BIM and Design Software

GSSI to Showcase UtilityScan Compact GPR system at Public Works Expo 2019

MIT’s fleet of autonomous boats can now shapeshift

OpenSpace, AI-Powered Construction Tech Company, Raises Series A Round To Bring “Street View”-Style Documentation to Real Estate Development and Construction Industries

Why Use a CT Scanner for an Industrial Job?

Mobile Laser Scan Data Improves Police Engagement Time in Active Shooter Simulation

Notifications for Time-Efficient Monitoring of AOI Changes

Arvizio Introduces Life Size Point Cloud Walk Through on Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap

Scalable and Flexible Access to Professional GNSS Positioning-as-a-Service

Jacobs signs major agreement to use Seequent’s solutions on civil and environmental projects

LandViewer Now Features Change Detection That Runs in Browser

Bringing State-of-the-Art Geostatistical Algorithms to the Geomodeling Community
to Solve Complex Geospatial Problems