Author: Jesse Khalil

2024 recap: Trends, obstacles and opportunities in the GNSS/PNT industry

In 2024, we witnessed emerging trends, challenges and opportunities that significantly impacted the GNSS/PNT industry, ranging from advancements in surveying technology to ways to combat the increasing threats of jamming and spoofing. In this year in review, we highlight notable stories from 2024.

To read more, visit our full digital edition archive.

January

Image: Advanced Navigation

Charting uncharted waters: Bathymetry in action

This article discussed advancements in bathymetric surveying techniques, highlighting three projects — from SBG Systems, CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) and Advanced Navigation — that are charting underwater environments. It showcased the exploration of the Great Blue Hole in Belize using submarine-mounted sonar, creating a digital twin flood model for China’s Yellow River using unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and UAVs and the development of an autonomous vessel for surveying wet gaps in military operations.

February

Aligning the trades: GNSS for architecture, engineering and construction

Surveying is an ongoing process on construction sites. Surveyors are the first on the site before any other work begins and the last ones there to map the project “as built.” Total stations with GNSS receivers, tablets and other mobile digital devices are their essential tools, increasingly complemented by UAVs and lidar scanners. In this story on architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), we highlighted three building projects — from ComNav Technology, CHCNAV and Eos Positioning Systems — as well as photos from Juniper Systems.

Photo: Safran Federal Systems

March

2024 GPS World simulator buyers guide

In our 13th annual Simulator Buyers Guide, we featured simulator tools, devices and software from nine prominent companies that aid GNSS receiver manufacturers in product design.

April

L5-first for improved resilience in mass market GNSS

Paul McBurney, co-founder and CEO of oneNav, emphasized the advantages of L5-first GNSS receivers in enhancing resilience against GNSS interference and jamming in mass market applications. He shared how traditional receivers prioritize L1 signals, limiting their effectiveness in high-interference environments, while L5 signals, which have a higher chipping rate and power, can improve jamming resistance by up to 15 dB. The article advocated for the development of L5-first systems to boost GNSS resilience, particularly for critical infrastructure, although challenges such as acquisition complexity and cost must be addressed before widespread adoption.

May

(Photo: CAST Navigation)

Combating jamming and spoofing: PNT on the battlefield

Jamming and spoofing continue to be the key challenges to military use of GNSS. While the production and adoption of M-Code receivers is delayed, defense contractors are developing several approaches to identify, locate and neutralize these threats — including CRPA antennas, embedded GPS inertial (EGI) navigators, software-defined radios and cryptography. In this cover story, executives from seven companies presented their perspectives on the GNSS/PNT challenges faced by U.S. and allied military forces, their market niche in this area and their latest products.

June

NextNav petitions FCC for new spectrum band

NextNav’s petition to the FCC seeks to reconfigure the 902-928 MHz band for a new terrestrial positioning, navigation and timing (TPNT) service. This service aims to complement GPS, enhancing location reliability in urban areas. The integration with 5G technology could further improve positioning services. However, the petition has raised significant concerns within the GNSS industry. Industry leaders argue that granting NextNav access to this spectrum could disrupt existing technologies that rely on the same band. The proposed higher power levels could lead to interference, jeopardizing the operational reliability of various sectors, including supply chains and healthcare. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has received more than 1,700 comments highlighting concerns about harmful interference and calling for careful evaluation before any regulatory changes are made. The outcome of this petition could significantly influence the future landscape of positioning technologies in the United States, affecting both GNSS capabilities and the viability of critical applications that depend on current spectrum usage.

July

PNT without GNSS

For the fourth year in a row, the topic for our July cover story was complementary positioning, navigation and timing (PNT). The ongoing challenges of combating jamming and spoofing, as well as enhancing resilience in PNT systems, have been prominent themes in our articles and industry throughout 2024. The U.S. National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Advisory Board has been actively working on strategies to “protect, toughen and augment” GPS. The term “augment” refers to enhancements made to GPS and the integration of complementary PNT sources that can partially or fully replace GPS. For this cover story, Editor-in-Chief Matteo Luccio interviewed executives from four companies that design, produce and operate various complementary PNT technologies, highlighting their diverse approaches to this challenge.

Genesis satellite.

August

Innovation: ESA’s Multi-Modal space mission to improve geodetic applications

The European Space Agency (ESA) has established the Genesis mission, a groundbreaking space project that will collocate four space-based geodetic techniques — GNSS, VLBI, SLR and DORIS — on a single satellite for the first time. This mission aims to improve the accuracy and stability of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) to 1 millimeter with long-term stability of 0.1 mm per year, which is crucial for detecting small variations in Earth’s solid, fluid and gaseous components. The Genesis satellite, set to launch in 2028, will orbit at an altitude of about 6,000 km with an inclination of 95° and will operate for at least two years. Members of the Genesis mission team shared how it has the potential to significantly impact various GNSS and Earth observation applications by improving geodetic and geophysical observations, as well as enhancing precise navigation and positioning capabilities.

(Photo courtesy of ION)

September

ION GNSS+ 2024

ION GNSS+ 2024, held Sept. 16-20 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, showcased more than 400 technical presentations spanning six sectors. GPS World had the opportunity to engage in a series of discussions and panels, including a plenary session with a presentation on a space project and one on circumnavigating the globe in a sailboat using only paper charts, a compass and a sextant to navigate.

INTERGEO 2024

The GPS World team touched down in Stuttgart, Germany, for INTERGEO 2024, held from Sept. 24-26. This year’s expo and conference showcased solutions to address critical global issues such as GNSS jamming and spoofing. GPS World Publisher Brian Kanaba and Account Manager Tim Carolin made their debut at the show, joining show veteran Editor-in-Chief Matteo Luccio. The show attracted more than 17,000 visitors from 121 countries and featured 579 exhibitors.

October

Lidar helps unlock secrets in Amelia Earhart mystery

The October edition of “Mapping Marvel” focused on research conducted for The Discovery Channel’s documentary, “Finding Amelia.” This film explores the latest expedition aimed at uncovering the mysterious fate of Amelia Earhart. It featured contributions from SPH Engineering and investigated the theory that Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, may have crashed in Papua New Guinea during their 1937 attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

The team utilized lidar technology to conduct low-altitude flights that produced detailed maps of the ground beneath the dense jungle. This approach revealed potential hidden features, including Japanese troop trails and a structure resembling Earhart’s Lockheed Electra.

November

Richard Langley

The last one: A look back at 35 years of ‘Innovation’

The November 2024 issue of GPS World featured Professor Richard Langley’s 300th and final “Innovation” column. His first one appeared in the January/February 1990 issue, the magazine’s very first. In celebration of Richard’s decades-long contribution to GPS / GNSS / PNT, we published a selection of testimonials and photos from some of his colleagues and friends, gathered by his former students Sunil Bisnath and Attila Komjathy.

December

Directions 2024: GNSS constellation updates

This year’s “Directions” feature offers updates on all four GNSS constellations and a regional one. Representatives from each program — BeiDou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and QZSS — reflect on the year’s developments, sharing how PNT technologies aim to enhance both defense and civilian applications, ultimately improving navigation capabilities worldwide. The feature highlights significant milestones, including the modernization efforts within each constellation.

December 10, 2024
AEVEX Aerospace acquires Veth Research Associates

AEVEX Aerospace has acquired Veth Research Associates (VRA), a veteran-owned firm specializing in navigation and autonomous systems. The partnership aims to enhance AEVEX’s capabilities in delivering solutions for unmanned systems operating in jammed and contested environments, which is essential for addressing the challenges anticipated in future conflict scenarios.

Established in 2013, VRA brings to AEVEX its intellectual property portfolio centered around a sensor fusion engine, which powers real-time autonomous decision-making using deep neural networks and machine learning. Integrating VRA’s expertise seeks to improve AEVEX’s ability to deliver autonomous hardware and software solutions, particularly combat-proven Group-II and Group III tactical UAS operating in GPS-denied or spoofed environments.

VRA’s LYNX vision-based navigation (VBN) system enables navigation independent of GPS. It features day/night capability, a modular design and open architecture, making it adaptable for use on both manned and unmanned platforms. It is currently deployed with multiple Department of Defense (DOD) and international users.

Brian Raduenz, CEO of AEVEX Aerospace, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition, stating, “With the addition of VRA’s leadership team and subject matter experts, we are well-positioned to lead the future of autonomous decision-making in contested environments. Their innovative sensor fusion engine will serve as the backbone of our navigation solutions as we advance into the next generation of GPS-denied capabilities.”

December 9, 2024
Australia and India advance resilient PNT

Skykraft, an Australian space technology company, has signed a participating project partner agreement to advance positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems in low-Earth orbit (LEO). This agreement, backed by an International Space Investment (ISI) India Projects grant from the Australian Government, marks a significant milestone in fostering space cooperation between Australia and India.

The project’s primary objective is to develop and demonstrate collaborative PNT systems. This includes establishing the viability of large-scale LEO constellations, addressing vulnerabilities in existing GNSS in denied environments, and exploring novel applications for PNT signals from LEO. Additionally, the project aims to create a comprehensive roadmap for collaborative LEO-PNT by implementing resilient, easily updatable constellations.

The project also seeks to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities through GNSS-reflectometry (GNSS-R) and radio occultation (GNSS-RO) technologies. This will improve understanding of Earth’s oceans, droughts, and floods while enhancing real-time space and terrestrial weather forecasting. It will explore emerging applications, such as tsunami monitoring and warning systems.

December 9, 2024
Tracking down the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killer

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot to death on Dec. 4 outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, where the company was hosting an investor day. The suspect fled northward on 6th Avenue on a bike toward Central Park and is still unidentified.

Police initially believed the suspect fled on a Citi Bike, which is equipped with GPS tracking devices. However, it was later clarified that the suspect used a regular electric bike, not a Citi Bike, eliminating the possibility of GPS tracking through the bike-sharing system.

Many e-bikes do not come with built-in GPS trackers. While some newer models have integrated GPS units, aftermarket trackers must be installed separately on most e-bikes.

Even if the e-bike had a GPS tracker, its effectiveness would depend on whether it was active and connected to a cellular network to transmit location data.

Despite this setback, investigators are still utilizing various technological methods to track the suspect. Police are analyzing video from street cameras and other sources to trace the suspect’s escape route. Additionally, a cell phone was recovered from the alley where the suspect fled, which could potentially provide valuable information. The suspect was spotted on surveillance video carrying an e-bike battery less than two hours before the shooting, which might offer additional leads.

While GPS tracking through the bike is no longer an option, law enforcement is leveraging other technological resources and traditional investigative methods to locate the suspect.

December 6, 2024
Notre Dame Cathedral reopens: 3D mapping guides historic restoration

3D model of the Notre Dame Cathedral. (Image: Andrew Tallon/Vassar College)

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has reopened its doors five years after the devastating fire, showcasing its restored interior after extensive rebuilding work. The restoration, costing approximately €700 million ($737 million), was financed entirely by donations from around the world.

On April 15, 2019, Notre Dame went up in flames, with the spire collapsing and the roof being destroyed. The following years were dedicated to rebuilding the cathedral, including the reconstruction of the spire and the restoration of stained glass and woodwork.

A crucial element in the restoration process was the point cloud data collected by professor Andrew Tallon, an architectural historian from Vassar College, in 2010. Tallon’s project, which aimed to fully understand the Gothic structure and identify structural anomalies, involved creating a precise 3D model of Notre Dame using a Leica Geosystems terrestrial laser scanner.

This cloud of 1 billion points proved indispensable for the digital recreation of the cathedral’s interior and exterior. Tallon’s laser scans were the only truly accurate as-built measurements of Notre Dame, translating point clouds into detailed representations of its buttresses, ribbed vaults, stained glass, ornate carvings and other architectural details.

The value of point cloud data

While modern restoration efforts cannot fully replicate the artistry of centuries past, Tallon’s scans have been instrumental in reconstructing the Gothic cathedral, allowing architects to come remarkably close. Although Tallon died in 2018, his groundbreaking work remained a vital resource for restoring the iconic cathedral.

A point-cloud scan taken from Andrew Tallon’s scans of the Notre Dame Cathedral. (Photo: courtesy of Vassar University)

Tallon’s meticulous 3D scans of Notre Dame provided architects with information crucial for the cathedral’s reconstruction, including:

Precise 3D models: Tallon’s precise 3D model of Notre Dame included intricate details of the cathedral’s architecture, such as flying buttresses, rib vaults, stained glass windows and ornate carvings. This level of detail was unmatched by any historical drawings or records, which often lacked precision.

Dimensional and formal reconstruction: Pascal Prunet, one of the architects tasked with rebuilding the cathedral, said in an interview with Lindsay S. Cook that the point cloud data provided an “exact trace” of the cathedral’s state at the time of scanning, allowing him and his team to reconstruct elements — such as the vaults — “without hesitation” regarding dimensions or forms. This was essential for accurately rebuilding complex structures such as flying buttresses and rib vaults.

Structural analysis: The scans revealed structural details that were previously unknown, aiding in understanding how the cathedral was originally constructed and how it changed over time. This information was vital for designing custom supports and ensuring structural stability during reconstruction.

Integration with modern technology: The point cloud data was integrated into Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes, which allowed architects to create a digital twin of Notre Dame.

Restoration guidance: The scans provided a highly detailed record of Notre Dame’s pre-fire condition, which helped restoration professionals select appropriate techniques for stabilizing and rebuilding various parts of the cathedral.

Why precision matters

The two architects highlighted the crucial role Tallon’s laser scan of the cathedral played in their restoration process. They shared how this detailed digital model provided them with precise measurements and structural information, enabling Notre Dame to, in essence, “guide its own restoration.” By relying on this accurate data, the team could ensure its work remained faithful to the iconic cathedral’s original design and construction.

Tallon’s laser scan of Notre Dame Cathedral has proven invaluable in the restoration process. This digital twin, created in 2015, offers an unparalleled level of precision and detail, capturing the cathedral’s every nuance with accuracy up to 5 mm. This level of detail allows the restoration team to address the structure’s complexities and make informed decisions about the rebuilding process, ultimately helping to preserve Notre Dame’s authenticity and historical integrity.

December 4, 2024
YellowScan, Argosdyne collaborate for certified lidar-enabled UAVs

YellowScan and Argosdyne have partnered to integrate YellowScan’s Surveyor Ultra OEM lidar system with Argosdyne’s newly C2 Class certified AQUILA-2 UAV. This collaboration aims to improve data acquisition and drone performance for various industries.

The C2 Class certification allows for safer operations near people and in urban areas, meeting European safety standards. Combined with YellowScan’s lidar technology, this certification allows for more precise and efficient data collection for surveying, mapping and environmental monitoring projects.

The integrated system captures detailed point cloud data and high-resolution imaging, providing comprehensive views of topography, structures, and vegetation. This technology can be applied in urban planning, construction, infrastructure inspection, and environmental science. Argosdyne’s AQUILA-2 UAV was showcased at INTERGEO 2024.

December 3, 2024
ArkEdge Space selected by JAXA to develop lunar navigation satellite system
ArkEdge Space, a Japanese space start-up based in Tokyo, has been selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) under its Space Strategy Fund to lead the development of advanced lunar navigation technology.

Under the agreement, ArkEdge Space will plan and design the mass production and operation of micro-satellite constellations to lead the development of a next-generation Lunar Navigation Satellite System (LNSS), a vital component to the International “LunaNet” initiative driven by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA) and JAXA. LunaNet seeks to establish essential infrastructure to support sustainable lunar exploration and foster the growth of the lunar economy.

This program, supported by up to 5 billion yen ($32.5 million) over four years, tasks ArkEdge Space with developing a 100 kg class micro-satellite, developing crucial technology including the:
1. Lunar navigation payload
2. Demonstration satellite platform, along with a system operations plan
3. Establishment of an approach to mission evaluation
These efforts will help reduce development costs and timeframes while advancing core LNSS technologies and enabling the development of future lunar navigation system demonstration satellites, according to ArkEdge Space.

ArkEdge Space’s work on LNSS leverages its expertise in satellite technology and builds on its ongoing collaboration with JAXA. A key innovation of the project involves the use of faint GNSS signals, originally designed for Earth, to determine satellite position and time in lunar orbit—approximately 380,000 km from Earth. Additionally, LNSS complements advancements in low-Earth Orbit positioning navigation and timing (LEO-PNT) systems, designed to provide high-precision, robust navigation services globally, enhancing existing GNSS infrastructure.

As lunar exploration accelerates, high-precision infrastructure has become indispensable for activities such as rover navigation, base construction, and in-situ resource utilization. LNSS supports lunar operations and serves as a stepping stone for future exploration of Mars and deep space.
December 3, 2024
Coral reefs at a crossroads: “Every coral we see is fighting”

This is a challenging time for coral reefs. Although they cover less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs support 25% of all marine creatures. Collectively, they form one of the planet’s most important ecosystems. Their health is in jeopardy due to increased ocean acidification, rising temperatures, pollution runoff, and overfishing and other destructive fishing practices.

The news is not uniformly bleak. A global study of coral reefs that seemed wildly ambitious when it launched in 2014 suggests that some coral reefs are showing impressive resilience. Some could even be considered thriving.

From the beginning, managing the study, dubbed the 100 Island Challenge, has depended on a creative and geographic approach.

Geographic information system (GIS) technology helped the 100 Island Challenge scientists define the initial scope of the study. Now it is allowing them to visualize and analyze the data they collect. GIS has also enabled the construction of environmental digital twins. In this case, the highly realistic and navigable 3D models depict many of the world’s major coral reefs, capturing flora and fauna in precise detail.

Reassessing Reefs

“I’m focused on coral reefs because it’s a great place to watch animals,” said Stuart Sandin, an ecology professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. “Organisms are packed together, interacting with one another.”

Since the early 2010s, marine ecologists like Sandin have noted how reef health is indicative of a greater overall breakdown in ocean health.

“The timely issue was that we were seeing a ton of degradation,” he said. “It was no longer just a discussion about these ecological principles.” Coral health became a matter of global urgency that highlighted a possible tipping point, with coral decline contributing to biodiversity loss.

Sandin was drawn to the question of local and direct human influences, like overfishing and pollution. He realized that this was, at its roots, a spatial question and it was urgent. If humans were causing harm, changes could be made to reduce the impact. Analyzing the connection involved assessing the influence of humans on nearby reefs.

One of the earliest inquiries Sandin and his Scripps colleagues made involved the Line Islands, 11 atolls in the central Pacific Ocean, a thousand miles south of Hawaii. The mix of inhabited and uninhabited atolls belong to the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced “KIR-ee-bas”) and US territories.

Studies of the coral reefs near the uninhabited islands yielded positive results.

“The baseline ecosystems were everything we dreamt of,” Sandin said. “Tons of big sharks, big corals, clean water. We thought it was cool that those conditions still exist.”

When Sandin’s team turned to some of the Kiribati islands with small but growing human populations, the difference was stark. Human activity—particularly the modest amount of fishing done by residents of this small country—had degraded and even destroyed some of the reefs.

The results appeared to speak for themselves. Islands with no human presence had healthy reefs—those with people did not.

As Sandin looked at other islands around the world—including other more distant Kiribati islands—he discovered the strict dichotomy did not hold true. Some inhabited islands that had experienced many generations of fishing still had thriving coral ecosystems. The health of an island’s reef systems was not necessarily determined by human presence.

“I realized the human dimension was more than just binary,” Sandin said. “It wasn’t just presence versus absence. I knew we should start studying the variation of human use, where it works well and where it doesn’t.”

The selection of regions and islands within regions is strategic, with an aim to capture the variability of environmental conditions. (Photo: courtesy of the 100 Island Challenge team at Scripps Institution of Oceanography)

The Challenge Begins

A major challenge of studying ecosystems, even those as spatially concentrated as a coral reef, is the dizzying array of factors that affect their function. Sandin’s team defined 18 types of islands, based on such factors as the size of the human presence and the island’s geography.

The team members decided they should find five island examples of each of the 18 classifications, meaning the project was committed to studying 90 islands. Then they decided that adding 10 islands, bringing the total to 100, would give the study a more impressive pedigree. “We rounded up to make the T-shirts look better,” Sandin joked.

From the beginning, the 100 Island Challenge presented logistic hurdles. Sandin’s team had to research islands for possible inclusion, classify them, and maintain a globally dispersed atlas of candidates. The islands chosen are mostly concentrated throughout the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. The team has attempted, whenever possible, to work with residents on each island to both ensure respect for its culture and maximize local knowledge.

“Every island has a story,” Sandin said. “And that’s why we had to go bigger.”

Mapping the Challenge

GIS maps played a key part of building the massive atlas, giving the team members an ongoing reference as they gathered data. The team aimed to visit each island in the study at least twice to monitor changes over time.

GIS also provided a way to determine specific observation sites for every island. From each of these vantage points, researchers can visualize key spatial relationships, including the location of reefs and human settlements, the size and extent of fishing industries, and freshwater sources that flow into the ocean.

The maps promote transparency. Shared with people who live on the inhabited islands, GIS maps help everyone understand the study’s objective of measuring ecological health.

The maps also support the data-gathering process, which includes both low- and high-tech components. Divers swim the reefs, making observations that fall in various categories, such as coral conditions and the amount of wildlife. These categories become individual data layers on the map.

Divers carry still cameras that record one geotagged image every second. This amounts to millions of images added to the map, documenting the conditions of reefs for further study.

A dual-camera rig captures high-resolution images that can be stitched into a 3D composite for ongoing analysis of each reef. (Photo: courtesy of the 100 Island Challenge team at Scripps Institution of Oceanography)

Coral Fights Back

“One of the first things we observed, with the help of image-based mapping products, is that the idea that every coral on the planet is suffering is a complete fallacy,” Sandin said. “What’s actually happening is that every coral on the planet is growing. But in patches, we’re seeing a lot of them die.”

The situation may not be universally dire, Sandin added, but it is urgent.

“Every coral we see is fighting,” he said. “They’re getting hit, site by site, by different stressors, like pollution and overfishing, and some of the hot-water events they can’t recover from. But there is resilience.”

The data-gathering cameras serve a dual purpose. They document reefs that have not been able to recover from the stressors, particularly those linked to climate change. At the same time, the cameras serve to document the resilience. Both objectives help researchers understand how coral can thrive under modern conditions.

Underwater Digital Twins

The amount of data collected by the 100 Island Challenge is staggering. And it’s all feeding into the digital twin.

“Right now, we’re actively involved in finding a way to deal with this petabyte of data, making it transparent and accessible,” Sandin said. “That’s where a lot of these spatial analytic tools and all the creative approaches to visualize data really come into play.”

Thanks to advances in data processing and GIS-enabled imaging, millions of images can be processed quickly. Aided by game engines, computers can stitch together realistic 3D digital twins of the reefs.

Scientists and GIS novices alike can, in effect, explore the reefs in stunning detail. The resolution, which approaches millimeter level, is high enough to see baby coral. The digital twins have also helped scientists understand the dispersal of adolescent and adult coral. GIS tools can even measure the buffering zones around different coral types in various stages of development to see how they interact with each other.

Granting a Voice

For those whose lives are deeply entwined with the reefs, the study’s GIS maps show the coral’s struggle to save itself.

“One of the stories that really struck me was when we were meeting with one of the governors of the southern states in Palau,” Sandin said. “We showed him printed maps and he said, ‘I’m a fisherman, and the fish talk to me. They can tell me what’s wrong. If there are too few fish, I go somewhere else. But the reef has never had a voice.’”

As Sandin recalled, the governor pointed to the map. “This,” he said, “gives the reef a voice.”

Learn how GIS technology is being used to explore, map, visualize, analyze and protect the oceans.

This article originally appeared on Esri Blog.

December 2, 2024
Seen & Heard: GM sued over data collection; archaeologists uncover hidden empire and more

“Seen & Heard” is a monthly feature of GPS World magazine, traveling the world to capture interesting and unusual news stories involving the GNSS/PNT industry.

Texas Sues GM for Allegedly Selling Drivers’ Data

Photo: baona / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

The Texas Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against General Motors (GM), alleging that the company unlawfully collected and sold driving data from more than 1.5 million Texas drivers. The lawsuit claims that GM gathered detailed information from vehicles manufactured since 2015. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that GM deceived customers by compelling them to enroll in data collection services during the vehicle “onboarding” process, without fully disclosing how their information would be used. The collected data was reportedly used by third-party companies to generate “driving scores” which were then sold to insurance providers.

3D Scans Reveal Medieval Secrets

Photo: Stichting Grote Kerk Naarden

The Grote Kerk in Naarden, Netherlands, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the North,” is undergoing a 3D scanning project to uncover the secrets of its medieval ceiling murals. A team of researchers from various Dutch universities are collaborating to create a detailed digital 3D model of the church’s barrel vault, covering 700 square meters of painted planks and beams. The project aims to shed light on long-standing mysteries surrounding the artwork’s origins, including the identities of the artists and the precise timeframe of their creation. Researchers will use advanced 3D scanning technology to produce high-resolution digital replicas of the murals, allowing researchers to examine the artwork in extraordinary detail.

Archaeologists Unearth Hidden Empire

Photo: University of Cádiz

Archaeologists from the University of Cádiz in Spain have discovered 57 Roman Empire-era sites in the Sierra de Cádiz regions, revealed what researchers believe to be an undiscovered part of the Roman empire. The team used multispectral cameras and lidar to detect these hidden sites. The team has begun on-site excavations, including work at the Roman villa of El Canuelo in Bornos, and plans to continue its research to gain a more comprehensive view of Roman settlement in the region.

Mapping Secrets of the Seafloor

Photo: SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute via CNN

Oceanographers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute used advanced sonar technology to map a massive underwater mountain in Nazca Ridge, 900 miles off the coast of Chile. The team employed a hull-mounted sonar system on their research vessel, R/V Falkor, to create detailed maps of the seafloor. In addition to sonar mapping, the team used an underwater robot to explore the mountain and surrounding areas. This robotic technology allowed them to document rare marine life, including the ghostly white Casper octopus and unusual siphonophores nicknamed “flying spaghetti monsters”.

November 29, 2024
Propeller Drones secures contract for BVLOS UAV inspections in Israel

Propeller Drones has secured a $7 million contract with the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) to conduct fully autonomous UAV operations for electrical infrastructure inspection. This project marks an advancement in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations in Israel, as it represents the first government approval for pre-approved BVLOS flights using an unmanned traffic management (UTM) system.

Under the collaboration, Propeller Drones and FlightOps will partner to enhance AI flight capabilities that meet IEC requirements and regulatory standards. Airwayz, a company specializing in low-altitude UTM solutions, has been selected to provide the UTM system for managing drone operations.

Airwayz’s UTM system, developed by experienced air traffic controllers, integrates real-time weather and location data to optimize airspace usage and manage multiple drone fleets simultaneously. This technology allows for efficient rerouting of unmanned vehicles in case of unexpected incidents.

The collaboration seeks to address long-standing regulatory challenges in the UAV industry by demonstrating the ability to conduct large-scale autonomous operations safely and efficiently. According to Propeller, this project has the potential to open up new opportunities for drone applications across various industries, particularly for inspections in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas.

As the system accumulates flight hours and data, it is expected to contribute to the advancement of autonomous BVLOS UAV operations, potentially influencing future regulatory approvals and industry standards. Propeller shared that the success of this project could pave the way for broader adoption of autonomous drone technologies in Israel and potentially serve as a model for other countries.

November 27, 2024
SparkFun Electronics launches GNSS RTK module for positioning accuracy

SparkFun Electronics has introduced the SparkFun Quadband GNSS RTK Breakout (Qwiic), which is designed to improve positioning accuracy using the Quectel GNSS module. This module has a compact design and compatibility with the Qwiic connector, making it easy to integrate into various projects. Additionally, it shares the same dimensions, pin layout and connectors as the SparkFun GPS-RTK-SMA Breakout – ZED-F9P, offering a seamless upgrade path for users.

The LG290P module is a quad-band, multi-constellation, high-precision real-time kinematics (RTK) GNSS receiver capable of receiving signals from multiple frequency bands: L1, L2, L5 and L6/E6. It supports all GNSS constellations and offers support for Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) — such as Wide Area Augmentation System (WASS) and European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) — as well as precise point positioning (PPP) services, including BDS PPP-B2b and MADOCA-PPP. The module is designed to provide precise navigation with fast convergence times and reliable performance through RTCM and RTK corrections.

The module features a built-in NIC anti-jamming unit, which uses advanced algorithms to detect and eliminate interference signals. This can significantly enhance signal reception in challenging electromagnetic environments. The device can be used in complex scenarios, such as urban settings or areas with dense tree cover. Due to its high precision and low power consumption, the SparkFun Quadband GNSS RTK Breakout – LG290P is ideal for applications in intelligent robotics, UAVs, precision agriculture, mining, surveying and autonomous navigation.

November 26, 2024
Sodex Innovations launches terrain mapping systems

Sodex Innovations, an Austrian company specializing in construction surveying technologies, has unveiled the SDX-4DVision and SDX-Compact machine-mounted terrain mapping systems.

These systems integrate advanced sensor technology and artificial intelligence (AI) driven data processing to create digital twins of worksites while the machine operates. Data is uploaded to the SDX Cloud, allowing for real-time analysis from any location. This allows professionals to monitor evolving site conditions, track inventory through automated volume calculations, and make remote data-driven decisions.

The systems are designed for easy installation on various types of heavy machinery, such as wheel loaders and dozers, making them ideal for construction, mining and civil engineering projects. Their adaptability enables efficient data collection and site monitoring, making them accessible not only to professional surveyors but also to operators and team members who are involved in daily operations.

November 26, 2024