Hemisphere GNSS’ Miles Ware offers a rundown on the company’s products — including its RTK positioning products, OEM board technology and L band Atlas Correction Service — at ION GNSS+ 2018 in Miami.
(Background image: iStock.com/imaginima)
Author: Allison Kral
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Hemisphere GNSS presents RTK positioning products at ION GNSS+ 2018
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ComNav showcases K705 OEM board at ION GNSS+ 2018
ComNav Technology’s Wade Zhang discusses the company’s K705 OEM board at ION GNSS+ 2018, which took place in Miami. According to the company, the K705 is a full constellation, multi-frequency board that supports precise point positioning.
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Allystar showcases GNSS chip, antenna at ION GNSS+ 2018
Allystar’s Yi Fen Tseng discusses the company’s HD9300 series precision positioning Cynosure III GNSS chip and high precision GNSS family at ION GNSS+ 2018, which took place in Miami. According to the company, the HD9300 series is a highly integrated GNSS receiver chip based on its Cynosure III architecture, integrating multi-band, multi-system, GNSS, RF and baseband. In addition, the company showcased its A GR6301 single-band GNSS antenna and A GR6302/A GR6303/A GR630X high-precision dual-band GNSS antenna.
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SwellPro USA, Urban Drones introduce waterproof drone
Spry Drone briefly submerges under water to flip on its belly then fly in the air like a bird (PRNewsfoto/Urban Drones) SwellPro USA and Urban Drones have released a waterproof drone, the Spry, that can briefly submerge like a submarine, float like a boat and fly in the air at over 43 mph.
The Spry features a self-contained camera that can capture video at 30 frames per second and pictures at 12 megapixels. According to the company, the Spry gives users the ability to capture high-resolution video and pictures without compromising speed and agility. It can also wirelessly transmit the video signals to a monitor embedded in its waterproof remote control.
The Spry’s GPS can be activated from the remote control, which has an integrated 4.3-inch monitor to view the Spry’s live video feed. It also boasts advanced flight features, such as hold position, auto follow, object orbit and return to pilot’s position.
“The Spry’s ability to submerge under water and fly in the air makes it the most versatile drone ever created,” said Alex Rodriguez, CEO at Urban Drones. “We’ve only seen this in science fiction movies.”
Urban Drones is a drone technology company located in Florida and SwellPro USA’s partner in the Spry project.
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SimActive updates Correlator3D for mining
According to SimActive, users can now process raw data, produce point clouds and digital surface models, and perform volumetric calculations with the Correlator3D workflow. (Photo: SimActive) SimActive has updated its Correlator3D end-to-end photogrammetry software to include tools for users to generate precise statistics on mining activities, with improved volumetric calculation.
The integrated tools allow users to generate precise statistics on mining activities.
The Correlator3D software performs aerial triangulation and produces dense digital surface models, digital terrain models, point clouds, orthomosaics and vectorized 3D features.
Applications like mineral extraction monitoring can be done seamlessly within the software.
Users can process raw drone data, produce point clouds and DSMs, and perform volumetric calculations in the same Correlator3D workflow.
“Our clients often require project delivery within 24 hours”, said Jennifer Waugh, principal at Alietum Ltd., a Canadian company using unmanned technology to support construction, consulting and government clients. “SimActive enables us to meet this demanding turnaround time.”
Based in Montreal, Quebec City, Canada, SimActive has been a developer of photogrammetry software since 2003.
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First European Drone Summit to highlight UAS applications
The inaugural European Drone Summit will be taking place Oct. 15 in Frankfurt, Germany.According to event sponsor UAV DACH e.V., the conference will give operators, manufacturers and public authority representatives the chance to gather and discuss the potential modes of operation and applications that are opening up for professional drone service providers and companies in light of the unmanned aircraft industry’s new European general aviation regulation.
Keynote speakers at the event will include Peter van Blyenburgh, UVSI; Max Scheck, Vereinigung Cockpit; Jules Kneepkens, EASA a.D.; Martin Brandenburg, DJI; Andreas Lamprecht, AIRMAP; and Jörg Seebach, DeDrone. The Intel Drone Group’s Anil Nanduri will also present a keynote speech.
“We are delighted that high-ranking experts from different companies, some of whom are even competitors, have accepted our invitation to come on board,” said Michael Wieland from UAV DACH e.V. “Global players’ first-hand experience and solutions offer added value to everyone taking part.”
The goal of the European Drone Summit is to channel ideas and decisions relating to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in order to highlight how unmanned aerial vehicle technology can be used now and in the future by representatives of various sectors, organizers said. The summit will take place at the same time as Intergeo, which will take place Oct. 16-18.
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FRA awards $203 million in grants for positive train control systems
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded $203,698,298 in grant funding for 28 projects in 15 states to assist with the deployment of positive train control (PTC) systems.The $203 million in grants is part of the total $250 million specifically appropriated under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 for the implementation of PTC systems, via the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.
“These $200 million in grants will help the railroads continue to implement positive train control, a technology that could help reduce accidents and save lives,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
The awards fund many aspects of PTC system implementation for intercity passenger or commuter rail and freight rail transportation, including back office PTC systems; wayside, communications, and onboard PTC system equipment; personnel training; PTC system testing; and interoperability.
Second-quarter PTC data
In addition, FRA released its second-quarter update on railroads’ self-reported progress toward implementing PCT systems. As of June 30, 15 railroads have installed 100 percent of the PCT system hardware that must be installed for implementation, based on a review of the railroads’ PTC Implementation Plans and quarterly progress reports for the second quarter of 2018. Twelve other ailroads have installed between 95 and 99 percent of the PTC system hardware identified in their PTC Implementation Plans.
According to FRA, this marks improvement from December 2016, where freight railroads had PTC active on just 16 percent of required tracks, while passenger railroads were at 24 percent.
In addition, second quarter data shows a 25 percent drop in the number of “at risk” railroads from 12 to nine. FRA considers any railroad that installed less than 90 percent of its PTC system hardware as of June 30 to be at risk.
“The railroads have achieved some significant improvements over the past year implementing this safety technology,” said FRA Administrator Ronald Batory. “While we are seeing progress among a majority of railroads, we want to see everyone meet their requirements.”
Awards Granted
When choosing the recipients of the grants, the FRA considered a number of factors, including supporting economic vitality; leveraging federal funding; using innovative approaches to improve safety and expedite project delivery; and holding grant recipients accountable for achieving specific, measurable outcomes.
Under the CRISI Program, at least 25 percent of funds are available for rural projects, the FRA said. In addition, federal funds awarded for CRISI grants must not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of a project, and the required 20 percent non-federal share may be composed of public sector (state or local) or private-sector funding, or both.
Agencies that received grants are:
- Alaska Railroad Corporation
- California Department of Transportation
- Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board
- Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
- Southern California Regional Rail Authority
- Florida Department of Transportation
- Iowa Interstate Railroad
- Iowa Northern Railway Company
- Belt Railway Company of Chicago
- Chicago Rail Link
- Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority
- Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
- Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
- Springfield Terminal Railway Company (ST)/Pan Am Railways
- Maryland Transit Administration
- Nebraska Central Railroad Company
- Rio Metro Regional Transit District
- Middletown and New Jersey Railroad
- New York & Atlantic Railway Company
- Allegheny Valley Railroad Company
- North Shore Railroad Company
- Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit
- Denton County Transportation Authority
- Utah Transit Authority
- Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad
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Satellite imagery details historic floods in India
DigitalGlobe has released pre- and post-event satellite imagery of the areas in India affected by heavy flooding.
According to the company, massive flooding devastated the Kerala state of India in late May and early August. At least 164 people were killed and more than 223,000 were displayed from their homes and are living in relief camps. In addition, Kerala has seen 40 percent more rainfall than normal since June, which has triggered landscapes in several districts.
In an effort to support disaster response and as a part of its Open Data Program, DigitalGlobe decided to publicly release the satellite images. According to the company, its Open Data Program supports the humanitarian community by providing critical and actionable information to assist response efforts.
Check out the before and after images below.
An overview of the fields and villages before the flood in the Kerala state of India in March 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
An overview of the fields and villages during the flood in the Kerala state of India in August 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
Before the flood in Champakulam in March 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
A closeup of the flood in Champakulam in August 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
Before the flooding in Moncompu, Kerala, in March 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
During the flooding in Moncompu, Kerala, in August 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
An overview of the roads and villages before the flooding in Kerala in March 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
Trapped cars are on the roads in Kerala during the flooding in August 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
People are stranded on a road southeast of Champakulam in August 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) 
Vehicles are trapped on a road southeast of Champakulam in August 2018. (Satellite image ©2018 DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company.) -
USGIF awards $126K in scholarship funds to GEOINT students
The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) awarded $126,000 in scholarships to individuals studying geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) and related topics.According to the foundation, this is the largest amount it has distributed to date. The scholarships are distributed annually to doctoral candidates, graduate students, undergraduate students and graduating high school seniors.
In addition to the scholarships, two awards are funded entirely by USGIF organizational members: the $10,000 Reinventing Geospatial Inc. (RGi) Scholarship for Geospatial and Engineering and the $10,000 Ken Miller Scholarship for Advanced Remote Sensing Applications. The RGi Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing engineering and geospatial disciplines who demonstrates financial need, and the Ken Miller Scholarship is awarded to a graduate student studying remote sensing who plans to enter the defense intelligence workforce.
“Scholarship winners were selected following a highly competitive, multi-tiered review of applications by GEOINT professionals who volunteered their time as part of USGIF’s Scholarship Subcommittee,” said Dr. Camelia Kantor, director of academic programs at USGIF. “We were impressed with the quality of applications and very pleased to see the next generation of GEOINTers—from the high school to doctoral level—already tackling major world challenges not just by using state-of-the-art technology, but also by applying creativity, logic, attention to detail, innovation and ethics.”
The 2018 USGIF scholarship winners include:
RGi Scholarship for Geospatial and Engineering
- David Runneals, Northwest Missouri State University
Ken Miller Scholarship for Advanced Remote Sensing Applications
- Joshua Michael Turner, North Carolina State University
Doctorate
- Katherine Cavanaugh, University of California, Los Angeles
- Jaclyn Guz, Clark University
- Carolynne Hultquist, Pennsylvania State University
- Christopher Olayinka Ilori, Simon Frazier University
- Scott Pezanowski, Pennsylvania State University
Graduate
- Jacob Fuson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Cesar Jhonatan Garrido Lecca Rivera, University of Redlands
- Travis Meyer, Pennsylvania State University
- Andrew Ryan, George Mason University
- Sarah Spalding, University of Texas at Austin
Undergraduate
- Jake T. Burstein, University of South Carolina
- Milovan Dakic, Indiana State University
- Margaret Hackney, Mercyhurst University
- Haley Kathryn King, George Mason University
- Candice Lee, University of Georgia
- Pearl Leff, Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College & Lander College for Women
- Claire Mercer, Ohio State University & Sijal Institute
- Rachel Pierstorff, University of Denver
Graduating high school seniors
- Alexander Chrvala, Towson High School in Towson, Maryland; now attending the University of Mary Washington
- Srijay Kasturi, South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia; now attending the University of Maryland
- Madyson Larson, Xenia High School in Xenia, Ohio; now attending the University of Cincinnati
- Christopher Lee, Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs, Texas; now attending the University of Texas at Dallas
- Keelin O’Hara, Albermarle High School in Charlottesville, Virginia; now attending the University of Mary Washington
- Adam Wallace Potter, Oak Park River Forest High School in River Forest, Illinois; now attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Brandon Staple, Longmont High School in Longmont, Colorado; now attending the University of Colorado Denver
- Maxwell Thorpe, David H. Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri; now attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Since the USGIF Scholarship Program began in 2004, the foundation has awarded more than $1.2 million to students with aspirations in GEOINT. USGIF is a nonprofit educational foundation dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and developing a stronger GEOINT Community among government, industry, academia, professional organizations, and individuals who develop and apply geospatial intelligence to address national security challenges.
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INC 2018 to focus on navigation challenges, societal benefits
The 2018 International Navigation Conference (INC), which will take place Nov. 12-15 at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel in Bristol, United Kingdom, will focus on navigation challenges and societal benefits.According to event organizers, the keynote speakers at the event will focus on developments in resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) innovations; PNT for connected autonomy; human factors and cognition in navigation; mapping and imaging; and progress in quantum technology.
In addition, sessions and themes at INC 2018 will address key navigation topics topics from technical, regulatory, ethical, cognitive and human perspectives.
The conference is organized by the Royal Institute of Navigation. Get more information about the conference here.
