GPS World

Author: Tracy Cozzens

  • DJI Unveils Phantom 3 UAV with Improved Imagery

    The Phantom 3 in flight at a press event.
    The Phantom 3 in flight at a press event.

    DJI has launched a new drone in its Phantom series. The Phantom 3 comes in two variations, Professional and Advanced, both of which provide greater control and creative options than the popular Phantom 2. On April 8, DJI held three simultaneous events in London, Munich, and New York to mark the release of the Phantom 3.

    Both Phantom 3 versions feature the strongest professional control features DJI has developed so far. Using DJI’s Visual Positioning system, the Phantom 3 can hold its positioning indoors without GPS and can easily take off and land with the push of a button. With Vision Positioning technology, visual and ultrasonic sensors scan the ground beneath the Phantom 3 for patterns, enabling it to identify its position and move accurately.

    DJI’s Lightbridge technology is also integrated, enabling control at up to 1.2 miles (2 km) away and a live HD video stream from the camera with almost no latency.

    “In developing the next generation Phantom, DJI remained committed to providing a top-tier flight experience in one easy-to-use platform,” said DJI CEO Frank Wang. “We pride ourselves in creating a flying camera that fits in a backpack and can be ready to take professional quality videos from the sky in less than a minute.”

    The Phantom 3 Professional is capable of shooting 4K video at up to 30 frames per second, while the Phantom 3 Advanced records at resolutions up to 1080p at 60 frames per second. These cameras are stabilized using 3-axis gimbals to keep the video smooth regardless of flight or wind conditions.

    Both models shoot 12-megapixel photos using a 94-degree FOV, distortion-free lens, and a high-quality, 1/2.3-inch sensor that is more sensitive to light than the sensor in previous Phantom 2 Vision models.

    All camera settings — including ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation — can be set using both the DJI Pilot app and the physical controls on the remote controllers. The DJI Pilot app also features a Phantom 3 flight simulator for virtually practicing aerial maneuvers, and a Director feature, which automatically edits the best shots from flights into short videos that can be shared immediately after landing. The upgraded app also allows pilots to livestream their flights to YouTube.

    “Pilots, whether they are journalists, extreme athletes, or global travelers — will not just be able to share aerial videos of where they were, but will also be able to send a YouTube link to their friends and colleagues to show them the aerial perspectives of where they are right now,” said DJI’s San Francisco General Manager Eric Cheng. “This has tremendous potential for changing the way we share experiences with one another.”

    Phantom-3

    Phantom-3

  • Esri Offers Webinar on ArcGis for Utility Assets

    Esri offers a standard set of templates that include maps, apps, and tools that support water, electric, gas and telecommunication industry workflows. To learn how to use these templates, tune in to the Esri live training seminar Utility Asset Inspection Using ArcGIS on April 16 at 9 a.m./11 a.m. and 3 p.m. PDT.

    Users will learn how to configure the templates based on their own content, and then deploy them to support common inspection workflows.

    After viewing the seminar, users will understand how to

    • Organize your content for field inspections.
    • Collect inspection information while in the field.
    • Summarize inspection results for reporting.

    GIS managers and analysts who use ArcGIS software and need to learn how to prepare, collect, and summarize inspection information will find this seminar useful.

    Participants will need a broadband Internet connection and an Esri account to watch the live training seminar. Esri accounts can be created at esri.com/lts. click Login at the top right, and register name and e-mail address.

     

  • Hexagon Geosystems Releases More Airborne Imagery

    Hexagon-imagery

    The Hexagon Imagery Program, or HxIP, has released captured airborne imagery for approximately 25 percent of the U.S. with various regions of Canada and Europe. As more content partners join the HxIP in 2015, program coverage is rapidly increasing with full coverage of the coterminous U.S. expected by the end of the year.

    Launched in June 2014, the HxIP streams valuable geospatial content and delivers professional-grade airborne images captured with Leica Geosystems’ airborne sensors, including enhanced-resolution, four-band orthos, streamable and rasterised point clouds, and stereo imagery, through two service categories:

    • Basemap offers cached background maps of current 30 centimeter orthorectified imagery that will be updated on a regular basis.
    • Multispectral Imagery supports image analysis and exploration activities with 30-centimeter, four-band orthorectified imagery and related digital surface models (DSM).

    Imagery for a full 11 states plus portions of six other states in the U.S. have been provided in the HxIP as part of its airborne imagery offerings from the 2014 flying season. Portions of Canada and Europe are also available in the recent release.

    “We’re pleased to have met our 2014 program goal, providing access to quality and consistent airborne imagery for thousands of clients around the globe,” said John Welter, president of Leica Geosystems Geospatial Solutions Division and director of the HxIP. “We are well on our way of realizing our 2015 goals with collection currently underway in Europe and North America.” 

    The HxIP airborne imagery content is available through the cloud via multiple content service providers:

    Through a distribution partnership with Esri in February, the 2014 collection is now available to even more users on Esri’s ArcGIS Marketplace.   

    “Serving HxIP via Esri’s ArcGIS Marketplace gives geospatial professionals another choice in accessing the most current and accurate geospatial imagery available,” said Juergen Dold, president of Hexagon Geosystems. “The focus of our new partnership is to provide imagery in a simple and efficient way across a wide array of professional consumers.”

    This vision was reinforced by Esri Director of Imagery Lawrie Jordan. “Leica Geosystems is recognized globally as providing the highest quality and most accurate airborne imagery available, and Esri is delighted to offer this content to GIS professionals through our ArcGIS Marketplace,” Jordan said.

  • Report Examines Geospatial Analysis for Defense, Security

    A new report by Visiongain examines geospatial data analysis for defense and homeland security — a world market worth $9.7 billion in 2014. The report, “Governmental Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Solutions Market 2014-2024: Digital Mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Cloud-Based Geo-Analytics & Geo-Data Exploitation for Defence & Homeland Security” is being offered by Reportbuyer.com.

    Advances in technologies such as cloud and 3D modeling — together with increased availability of high-quality, high-accuracy geospatial data, especially from space-based remote sensing satellites — are propelling the market for governmental GEOINT solutions, Reportbuyer.com said.

    “The coming decade will see governments around the world scrambling to acquire GEOINT capabilities on increasingly higher scales, to ensure they stay on top in the ‘information superiority’ race,”  Reportbuyer.com said in a press release. “At the moment, outside the U.S. this is a relatively young market, at the very beginning of a period of large international expansion over the next ten years.”

    According to Reportbuyer.com, geospatial information exploitation technology is one of the vital enablers and defining aspects of 21st century defense, intelligence and homeland security capabilities and operations. In a digital age where the vast majority of data has a location and time, GIS and GEOINT systems provide the means to reference it geographically.

    “In this visual context, complex dynamics, patterns and relationships can be revealed, analyzed and understood in a completely new way,” Reportbuyer.com said. “This takes ‘situational awareness’ to an entirely different level, and enables an unprecedented and powerful new type of analysis: geospatial analysis. A key part of this overall capability is a new generation of tools for advanced digital mapping and modeling, which extend the applications of GIS beyond intelligence, C2 (command and control) and the achievement of information superiority into areas like resource management, mission simulation, and down to individual soldiers.”

    The 300-page report provides market forecasts and analysis for GEOINT solutions, 2014-2024, and sales value projections of the market with essential information on the technologies, GEOINT organizations and competitors. The report is available at Reportbuyer.com.

  • Tischler Named Director of National Geospatial Program

    Michael Tischler, new director of the USGS National Geospatial Program.
    Michael Tischler, new director of the USGS National Geospatial Program.

    The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has selected Michael Tischler to be the director of the National Geospatial Program (NGP).

    Tischler begins his new post today. Tischler was most recently associate technical director of the Engineering Research and Development Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    The NGP provides leadership for USGS geospatial coordination, production and service activities. It engages partners to develop standards and produce consistent and accurate data through its National Map Liaisons. Operational support is provided by the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center. These and other NGP activities that are essential to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) are managed as a unified portfolio that benefits geospatial information users throughout the nation.

    Tischler’s accomplishments include managing the research for a $30 million broad-based research portfolio with both domestic and international applications. He has held a number of positions, from a research scientist collecting, analyzing, and processing geospatial data, to acting technical director, responsible for strategic planning and program implementation for a diverse portfolio of geospatial research projects.

    In his most recent role as associate technical director, he defined cutting-edge research projects that affect the direction of geospatial science and how geospatial data is used throughout the U.S. Army, the USGS said.

    “We are excited to have Mike to be part of the USGS mapping and geospatial community,” said Kevin Gallagher, associate director for Core Science Systems. “Mike has the background, insight, and energy to move the Program boldly into the future while still respecting the agency’s legacy for mapping excellence.”

    “Being selected to direct the National Geospatial Program is a tremendous honor, and I am both proud and humbled to join the USGS family in this role,” said Tischler. “The valuable services provided by this program are made possible by a dedicated team across the country, of which I am truly privileged to be part.”

    “The NGP has the responsibility to provide accurate, accessible, available, and authoritative geospatial data to the public and key partners while continually leveraging and adapting to evolving technologies,” Tischler continued. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work toward these goals alongside the talented, devoted NGP team and its partners, while engaging with the mapping community to both lead and shape the future direction of the program.”

    Tischler holds a master of science in soil and water science and a bachelor of science in soil science and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Earth systems and geoinformation sciences at George Mason University.

    “I would also like to thank Pam Haverland for serving as the acting director for the National Geospatial Program,” Gallagher said. “Over the past six months, Pam has provided caring and visionary leadership all while completing the SES Candidate Development Program and working in the USGS Budget Office as required, at the same time. She will be sorely missed!”

  • FAA Unmanned Aircraft Manager to Speak at MAPPS Conference

    Jim Williams, manager for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) office, will be the keynote speaker at the MAPPS National Surveying, Mapping and Geospatial Conference, scheduled for April 13-16 in Crystal City (Arlington),Va.

    Williams will speak at a luncheon on April 14. He’ll address the recently published notice of proposed rulemaking issued by his office in FAA, including regulations and policies that will affect surveying and mapping firms that want to fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and UAS in the commercial market.

    “MAPPS has worked with Mr. Williams and his staff for several years to assure that business and societal benefits of using UAV/UAS for aerial surveying, mapping and imagery are recognized and empowered in FAA policy,” said John Palatiello, MAPPS executive director. “UAV/UAS technology is the future of the mapping, surveying and geospatial profession. It is imperative that geospatial firms have the ability to operate UAV/UAS.  Mr. Williams understands this, and his office’s policies have reflected his understanding of our community as an important stakeholder.” 

    “We’re honored to have Mr. Williams join us at the conference. We look forward to hearing how he sees the future of UAV/UAS and how it will effect the business and professional practice of surveying and mapping,” said Curtis Sumner, National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) executive director. “His addition to the conference strengthens an already outstanding program.”

    Full registration for the conference is required for admission to the keynote luncheon.

  • Mapmechanics Offers Scalable Digital Mapping for Africa

    GIS map provider Mapmechanics has boosted the number of African countries for which it offers HERE vector (scalable) map data.

    HERE mapping from Mapmechanics consists of street-level vector map and includes major highways, main roads and also some minor roads and city streets, and is useful for route planning, drive-time analysis, vehicle tracking and geo-demographics. A key feature of the data is that its structure is consistent across many countries, enabling users to adopt the same analytical and display strategies from one country to another.

    The new African countries added to the Mapmechanics portfolio are Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of the Congo, São Tome and Principe.

    Because it is in a standard and widely recognized format, the mapping lends itself well to use with other data such as traffic speed and density where this is available. It can also be used for techniques such as reverse geocoding (finding a location by its coordinates).

    The mapping also enables users to add a sense of place to activities such as geo-demographic studies, store location analysis, leaflet distribution territories or depot management, and ensures that users can overlay just the features they need on shaded maps.

    Mapmechanics already offers HERE mapping for many of the more prominent African countries, including for instance Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Tunisia. Altogether around two dozen African countries are now covered, and more will be added in future.

    HERE mapping is just one of a wide range of mapping products offered by Mapmechanics for the UK and the world, all of which can be obtained directly from the company or through its transactional website.

  • CycloMedia Launches Street Smart Application for ArcGIS

    CycloMedia

    CycloMedia Technology and Esri have expanded their business relationship to deliver high-definition, street-view imagery via ArcGIS Marketplace.

    In efforts to leverage each other’s expertise in government, transportation and utilities markets, CycloMedia developed the Street Smart web application. Customers who have purchased CycloMedia’s HDstreet level imagery can utilize an ArcGIS-compatible application for viewing and analysis. Users can now visualize and edit their data from a street-view perspective with the goal of enhancing their GIS database while reducing costly field-based collection practices, CycloMedia said.

    CycloMedia began capturing its 100-megapixel HD-Cycloramas for customers in January 2015. With Street Smart, users can overlay their own GIS data layers, precisely capture location, record dimension measurements and edit attributes all from within a street-view perspective. Links to “information-tagged” images can be shared among ArcGIS Online subscribers within the enterprise and pictures shared with the wider community.

    “CycloMedia’s Street Smart app allows customers to visualize and share information about the built environment from a new perspective,” said Joe Astroth, CEO of CycloMedia USA. “Street-level imagery adds a new dimension to a GIS database by enabling the overlay and measurement of geographic features directly inside our HD Cycloramas.”

    Through Esri’sArcGIS Marketplace, geospatial professionals can learn about CycloMedia’s products and services, request new data collection and add comments and feedback to help improve the user experience.

  • Leica Offers New ScanStation, Software for 3D Laser Scanning

    Leica-scan-station_p40-p30-p16_07-W

    Leica Geosystems has announced a group of six major new products for terrestrial laser scanning: three new laser scanners and three new point cloud software products. Together, thes products raise the industry’s bar for laser scanning data quality and productivity, both in the field and the office, Leica said.

    Leica ScanStation P40, P30 and P16 Laser Scanners. Leica ScanStations P40, P30 and P16 feature advances in LIDAR and digital imaging as the eighth-generation of Leica Geosystems’ high-performance laser scanners. These new, ultra-high-speed scanners increase field and office productivity, while simultaneously grabbing users’ attention with strikingly sharper, crisper scans and HDR true color images — even under many conditions traditionally difficult for scanning, the company said.

    Users will be able to capture more useful data from a single set-up, which translates into fewer instrument setups and greater productivity. Three models meet different user needs: the Leica ScanStation P40 and P30 add survey functionality, longer range capabilities (to 270m for P40), and advanced scanner controls for additional versatility and productivity while the Leica ScanStation P16 is a short-range introductory model.

    Point Cloud Software. In addition to the major new software releases Leica JetStream and TruView Global products, Leica Geosystems is now offering Leica CloudWorx for Navisworks — a popular design review application from Autodesk — as its newest family member of CloudWorx plug-ins for CAD and VR applications.

    leica-cloudworx

    JetStream is a combined project data vault and high-performance data streaming server that takes Cyclone data and serves it up in a high-performance format that enables a CloudWorx user to be up to 40 percent more productive when working with point clouds. Much of that gain comes from instantaneous loading and navigation of point clouds — eliminating traditional “waiting times” long associated with point cloud office work.

    Lastly, TruView Global greatly increases anyone’s access to TruViews — Leica Geosystems’ application for viewing and measuring scans. Shaking free from prior constraints, TruViews will be accessible within any Internet browser on any mobile device or computer, with no app or plug-in to install.

    Taken together, advances in the new scanners and software elevate laser scanning to a new performance and data quality level, Leica said. The new scanners are all ultra-high speed (up to 1 million points/sec) and can capture more useful data from a scene. In addition, increased user access to TruViews plus good HDR digital images will encourage users to publish TruViews even more frequently.

    All of these factors drive users to create more dense scans and larger data sets. With the complementary Leica JetStream software, users have the ability to handle these larger data sets with astonishing ease.

    The Leica ScanStation P40, P30 and P16 are immediately available. Leica JetStream, Leica TruVeiw Global and Leica CloudWorx for Navisworks are planned for release Q2 2015.

    Photos: Leica Geosystems

  • Caliper Offers Congressional Districts, Census Data for Use with Maptitude

    maptitude-congressional-districts-income-map

    GIS software company Caliper is offering 114th Congressional Districts data for the United States for its Mapitude software. The data package is aimed at corporate legislative affairs departments, lobbyists, political consultants, political parties, and anyone else involved in political affairs.

    The 114th Congressional Districts data contains a nationwide area database with boundaries of the 114th (January 2015-January 2017) Congressional Districts. It also includes demographic data from the 2010 Census and from the 2013 American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates.

    Country Packages

    Also available are eight new 2015 Country Packages for Maptitude. The 2015 Country Packages include fourth-quarter 2014 map content. Updated map layers, such as refreshed streets and landmarks are provided for each country. In addition, postal boundaries, postcode points, and demographics are included where available. For detailed information on each Package, including those for countries not mentioned here, visit the Maptitude Included Data page.

  • DT Research Rolls out Mapping and GIS Tablets

    The DT391GS tablet.
    The DT391GS tablet.

    DT Research Inc. has launched a new line of rugged tablets with the GNSS modules for surveying and mapping applications. The DT391GS, DT395GS and DT307GS rugged tablets feature integrated high-accuracy GNSS receiver modules with built-in antenna for seamless data capture, the company said.

    Built to travel and provide reliable operations in the real world, the tablets are designed for field work in mapping, geographic information systems (GIS), and accurate synchronization, tracking and networking.

    The DT391GS combines a 9-inch sunlight-readable, capacitive touch display with an energy-efficient Intel dual-core processor in a compact, durable package. With the high-accuracy GNSS module options (Hemisphere or Trimble), the foldable antenna, and Windows or Android operating system. The DT391GS also offers protection in demanding environments with IP65 and MIL-STD-810G ratings for dust and water, and shock and vibration resistance.

    The DT395GS tablet.
    The DT395GS tablet.

    The DT395GS offers a 9-inch sunlight-readable capacitive touch screen, an energy efficient Intel dual-core processor, and a choice of Windows or Android operating systems. The GNSS positioning module has u-blox GNSS module. The IP65 rating, and military-standard MILSTD-810G and MIL-STD-461F ratings, as well as wide temperature range, make the DT395GS reliable even in harsh, mission-critical environments.

    The DT307GS GNSS tablet features a brilliant 7-inch capacitive touch screen and a quad-core, energy efficient processor with a built-in, high-accuracy u-blox GNSS module. The size and weight of the DT307GS make this tablet portable for long-term handling in the field, DT Research said.

    The DT307GS tablet
    The DT307GS tablet

    All of the DT Research Rugged GS Tablets offer hot-swappable batteries for continuous operation, enabling real-time project efficiency between staff in the field and in the office. With wireless support for Bluetooth, 802.11, WCDMA and HSPA+ connectivity and optional GSM networking, the tablets keep staff connected from any location.

    The DT391GS and DT395GS have Trusted Processing Module (TPM) encryption for security support, and a choice of Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard 7 or 7 Professional, or Android operating system making these tablets flexible to integrate with existing applications.

    An optional 5-megapixel camera offers another data capture tool to record visual information, and an optional 3G cellular data module provides data connectivity for navigation and real-time data transfer, DT Research said.

    The DT391GS, DT395GS, and DT307GS are available now, form more information, contact DT Research at [email protected].

  • Global Aerospace to Showcase UAS SOP Manual at AUVSI Show

    Global Aerospace has made available a standard operating procedure (SOP) manual for small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations through its partnership with the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI). Global Aerospace will be exhibiting at booth 745 at the AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2015, held May 4-7 in Atlanta.

    The “Visual Line of Sight SOP” outlines general operating procedures for UAS and will be made available to qualified Global Aerospace customers. USI is a subsidiary company of Global’s SM4 program partner, Waypoint Global Strategies.

    Through the SM4 program, Waypoint and USI provide Global’s UAS customers with discounted consulting and data analytics services and access to flight training.

    “Standard procedures are the foundation of safe operations,” said Alex Mirot, president of USI. “We are excited about offering this SOP manual to Global Aerospace customers as a way to promote safety and reduce errors.”

    USI offers its clients customized workshops, assistance in drafting and adopting policy and procedures, risk assessment and management, safety assurance, and safety promotion.

    Chris Proudlove, senior vice president and team leader, complex risks at Global Aerospace said, “Global Aerospace continues to develop products and tools for the rapidly growing sector of UAS. This comprehensive manual will provide an excellent resource for operators of small UAS.”