GPS World

Category: Applications

  • Report Looks at Indoor Location Positioning and Mobile Markets

    In December 2011, Grizzly Analytics released its first comprehensive report on indoor location positioning technology, predicting that indoor location services were ready to revolutionize the mobile market. The five months that followed have shown how true this was, with new initiatives announced on a regular basis and numerous demonstrations at industry conferences, Grizzly Analytics says.

    In a fully revised and updated 163-page report, Grizzly Analytics gives an up-to-date analysis and comprehensive overview of indoor location positioning R&D. Included is information on the research activity of all the major mobile companies — Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Apple, Nokia, RIM, Cisco, Qualcomm, Broadcom, STMicroElectronics, Sony Ericsson and others — and also more than 30 start-up companies that are actively bringing indoor location services to market.

    “These technologies are poised to revolutionize smartphone usage by enabling GPS-style mapping, navigation, local search, check-ins, location-sharing and other location-based services to work indoors in malls, megastores, offices, airports, casinos and other big indoor places,” according to a statement by Grizzly Analytics. “Indoor location will also transform commerce, enabling searching for items on store shelves, sending deals and promotions to nearby customers, advertisements for nearby stores in malls, and more. Location services are also entering the enterprise, with indoor asset tracking, employee search, and more.

    “In this updated technology trend report, Indoor Location Positioning: Research Pipelines, Start-ups and Predictions, Grizzly Analytics answers the questions you have about this new technology. What approaches are being researched by different companies? Which companies have mature research? What are the gaps in each company’s research that they are likely to fill by acquiring start-up companies? Which start-up companies are likely to be acquired or to emerge successful in the market? What areas of technology are not yet addressed by start-ups, and remain open to new entrepreneurs and investors?”

    A related report, Indoor Location Solutions and Services: Challenges, Opportunities and Market Outlook, is also available from Research and Markets.

  • Advanced Navigation, KVH Release Spatial FOG GNSS/INS

    Advanced Navigation, in collaboration with KVH Industries, has announced its new Spatial FOG GNSS/INS. Spatial FOG is a ruggedized GNSS-aided inertial navigation system and AHRS that provides accurate position, velocity, acceleration and orientation under demanding conditions. It combines the new KVH Industries 1750 fiber-optic gyroscope-based inertial measurement unit with magnetometers, a pressure sensor and a dual-frequency RTK GNSS receiver. These are coupled in a sophisticated fusion algorithm to deliver highly accurate and reliable navigation and orientation, the companies said.

    Spatial FOG contains a dual-frequency RTK GNSS receiver that provides 1-centimeter accuracy positioning and supports all of the current and future satellite navigation systems, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and Compass.

    A next-generation memory backup system allows Spatial FOG to hot start inertial navigation from its last position in 2 seconds and obtain a GNSS fix in as little as 3 seconds. The memory backup system lasts for the lifetime of the product and will provide backup for 24 hours without power.

    Spatial FOG’s internal filter runs at 1,000 Hz, and data can also output at this rate over high speed RS232 or RS422. This allows for control of dynamically unstable platforms, the companies said. Spatial FOG is also highly tolerant to both shock and vibration thanks to the performance of the KVH 1750 IMU design and advanced filtering.

    Spatial FOG supports a wide range of peripherals including external GNSS receivers, odometers, DVLs, USBLs and NMEA devices. It also supports both industry-standard NMEA output and a binary protocol. Spatial FOG also is easily integrated into retrofits or new designs, said Advanced Navigation.

  • Telit Introduces Qualcomm-Based HSPA Modules for Global M2M Markets

    Telit Wireless Solutions today introduced the UE910 V2 HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and HE910 V2 HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access) modules based on Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. chipsets, each to be banded for European and North American markets.

    The MDM6200-based HE910 V2 supports both GPS and GLONASS location technologies, is fully digital audio capable, and provides full-duplex PCM input and output. With these features — combined with the up to 14.4Mpbs downlink and 5.76Mbps uplink data rates — the HE910 V2 is designed for applications such as video surveillance and security, and emerging applications areas such as healthcare, Smart Home, and Smart Grid.

    Both products feature dual-band 3G and GSM/GPRS/EDGE support. The entry-level 3G UE910 V2 is based on Qualcomm Technologies’ QSC6270 chipset and delivers a top 3.6Mbps downlink data rate.

    The new products are fully compatible with Telit’s xE910 family and can be easily dropped into existing or planned designs for xE910 modules requiring no additional rework. Positioned at entry-level and mid-range respectively, the new Qualcomm Technologies-based UE910 V2 and HE910 V2 modules enable the Telit xE910 family to enhance cross-technology compatibility with its other popular global air-interface technologies. The application of the Qualcomm Technologies chipsets improves interchangeability between CDMA (1xRTT, EV-DO) and UMTS (HSDPA, HSPA+) variants making the adaptation of customer applications to regional technical requirements quick and easy, minimizing time to market and total cost of ownership.

    The QSC6270-based UE910 V2 is to be positioned as a 2G to 3G migration path product, and includes high-value features such as analog audio, making it ideal for applications from home and commercial security and surveillance systems, to asset monitoring, logistics, and mass-transit monitors. Telit is planning a UE910 V2 variant based on QSC6270-Turbo with additional support for Java J2ME 3.2 and eCall.

    Both the UE910 V2 and HE910 V2 will be available in local band-group variants as required for all major carriers and partner networks in North America and Europe. The Qualcomm Technologies-based products will be available in North America with 850/1900MHz and in Europe with 900/2100MHz dual-band combinations. Both regional variants will be available in data-only as well as data & voice variants.

    “The Qualcomm Technologies-based entry-level 3G UE910 V2 and mid-range HE910 V2 are Telit’s new 3G products launched in response to increasing demand for dual-band HSDPA, and HSPA+ modules,” said Dominikus Hierl, chief marketing officer at Telit Wireless Solutions. “They come to address the need from application areas and regions requiring easy interchangeability between CDMA or UMTS lines of air interface technology, particularly in United States, Europe and key opportunities.”

    “Qualcomm Technologies’ fully-integrated QSC6270, QSC6270-Turbo and MDM6200 chipsets support the bandwidth and feature requirements of a broad range of M2M applications, and we are pleased to enable  HSDPA, and HSPA+ products in the xE910 family,” said Nakul Duggal, vice president of product management for IOE, Qualcomm Technologies. “By using Qualcomm Technologies’ Gobi 3G solutions in its xE910 product family, Telit will be able to offer its customers the technology flexibility to address M2M products and drive 2G to 3G migration in Europe and North America.”

  • Trimble, ng Connect Collaborate on Connected Service Vehicle Demo

    Trimble’s ThingMagic Mercury6 (M6) RFID Reader will be part of the ng Connect Program’s Connected Service Vehicle, which showcases a full suite of cloud-based services designed to deliver office productivity to vehicle-based workers. In this concept vehicle, the ThingMagic reader will be used to support work-order based inventory management and tool tracking applications to illustrate aspects of a typical service visit.

    The ng Connect Program, founded by Alcatel-Lucent, is a multi-industry ecosystem dedicated to the creation of the new generation connected user experience. ng Connect is comprised of more than 190 Contributing and Associate member companies including network, consumer electronics, application and content providers. Twelve proof of concept demos will be featured this year in the Alcatel-Lucent CES booth at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, January 8-11, in Las Vegas.

    As a collaborating member of the ng Connect program, Trimble is providing the development platform for in-vehicle RFID solutions and sensor technology for high-volume commercial, industrial and enterprise applications. Achievements in the automotive market include receiving the Ford World Excellence Award for contributions to a first-to-market RFID-enabled solution designed to help contractors track and manage their tools.

    “We’re honored to join the ecosystem of innovative, market-shaping companies in the ng Connect program,” said Bernd Schoner, vice president of business development at Trimble’s ThingMagic Division. “Using the vehicle as the basic point of data capture can enhance productivity. Uploading asset information from the vehicle to a central data aggregation layer for anywhere, anytime consumption by a variety of applications is the future.”

  • Sygic Launches Location Sharing and Family Safety App

    “Family,” a new app by GPS navigation software company Sygic, is designed to help parents keep their children safe and simplify the way families stay in touch. The app is now live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

    The app shows the real-time location of all the family members on the map. It allows parents to set up Safe / Unsafe zones and sends automatic notifications when kids enter or leave a zone. Geofence is useful for one-time notification when users enter certain areas. Augmented reality shows family members in the real surroundings — for example, if kids are running around in a park. Navigation to the family member’s location can be launched from within the app. The app also features free family messaging.

    “We wanted to create an app that will help its users in their everyday life,” said Sygic’s CEO Michal Stencl. “As parents we want to raise our children to be self-reliant but we also need to have confidence that they are safe. Family by Sygic gives parents this peace of mind, while kids will appreciate that parents don’t feel the need to call them all the time to check where they are.”

    The app is free until January 31st on Google Play and App Store. Afterward, the price will be 2.99 Euro per year/family.

  • Agero Unveils Auto Infotainment Development Kit

    Agero Connected Services has announced the development of the AgeroView DevKit, a new cross-platform toolkit designed to accelerate the deployment of cloud-based automotive infotainment system applications. The DevKit includes specialized APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and associated support to enable access to a variety of in-vehicle platforms ranging from safety and GPS positioning to multimedia and climate control.

    The DevKit, which will include an application software development kit (SDK) as well as a hardware evaluation kit, will be evaluated by select automakers during the first half of 2013 before its release.

    According to Agero, the launch of the AgeroView DevKit will remove significant barriers that constrain today’s in-vehicle infotainment systems. Until now, infotainment system features have always remained relatively static over the course of the vehicle’s lifetime. With the DevKit, automakers and developers can deploy more exciting and convenient experiences even years after the vehicle is sold. Drivers and passengers will be able to personalize their device interfaces on demand, and dealers will have the opportunity to introduce new content and interfaces.

    The AgeroView DevKit will allow the deployment of far more efficient and practical applications, particularly those involving navigation, messaging, and safety/diagnostics. Motorists will receive  the added value created by the vehicle’s ever-improving array of functions, content, and service offerings.

    “With the AgeroView DevKit, automakers will now be able to target the applications critical to their brand and quickly deliver a user experience that builds brand equity,” said Frank Hirschenberger, Agero’s senior director of Innovation. “Moreover, the DevKit lets developers create apps with a simple, easy-to-learn interface that takes into account evolving knowledge on minimizing driver distraction.”

    The AgeroView DevKit also provides the critical portal between Agero’s AgeroView in-vehicle cloud services and the in-vehicle electronics. The DevKit makes it simple for developers to write and validate production-ready, automotive-centric apps through the use of standard Web technologies, the company said.

    The AgeroView DevKit resides as a component in the AgeroView cloud platform developed by Agero in partnership with M-Way Solutions, GmbH. The platform gives automakers and vehicle owners the flexibility to substitute providers of specific content such as navigation, entertainment, and news as well as customize graphic and audio interfaces whenever desired.

  • Qualcomm, AT&T Support Internet of Everything Development Platform

    Qualcomm Incorporated, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has announced an Internet of Everything (IoE) development platform based on Qualcomm Technologies’ QSC6270-Turbo chipset that supports Oracle’s Java ME Embedded 3.2. The IoE development platform features support for standalone GPS.

    The platform, which uses Qualcomm Technologies’ Gobi modem solution for 3G, enables developers to accelerate development efficiency and decrease time-to-market for a wide range of applications and devices to connect to the AT&T mobile internet. AT&T and Qualcomm Technologies expect this IoE development platform to be available to developers in the second quarter of 2013.

    The IoE development platform provides a starting point for creating a range of cellular-connected products and applications for IoE verticals such as tracking, industrial controls and health care. With this platform being capable of supporting Oracle’s Java ME Embedded 3.2 software release, developers with little mobile development experience can quickly go from concept to writing and executing Java applications directly on the QSC6270-Turbo chipset.

    In North America, this IoE development platform will be supported by AT&T, allowing developers to test their solutions and demonstrate functionality on a live network in the design and development phases, which can reduce complexity, cost and time for developers as they drive to get their solutions to market. With access to the various hardware interfaces and capabilities of the 3G modem via the application environment hosted on the QSC6270-Turbo chipset, developers can also customize and optimize end-product PCBs without the need for additional discreet processors or micro-controllers, thus cost-effectively integrating cellular capabilities into a wider range of devices and solutions.

    The platform includes several onboard sensors and indicators, including an accelerometer, light sensor and temperature sensor. The Java ME 3.2 software release, which can run on this platform, includes several new JSRs for IoE applications, as well as Device Access and AT Command Pass Through APIs that give developers access to a large number of chipset IOs and interfaces, such as GPIO, I2C and SPI. The platform supports cellular coverage for tri-band UMTS/HSDPA – 2100/1900/850 MHz – and quad-band GSM – 850/900/1800/1900 MHz – support, as well as 2.4GHz Wi-Fi a/b/g/n via a Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. AR6103 module.

    “This IoE development platform opens a world of opportunity for equipment makers who want to connect their devices to the mobile internet,” said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, emerging devices, AT&T. “Wireless connectivity makes products better, and this IoE development platform makes it easier for both existing and new AT&T developers to embed wireless into their products.”

    “Qualcomm Technologies sees the Internet of Everything as having significant potential. In addition to large IoE verticals like automotive and energy that have established industry players, application developers are key to creating future IoE verticals and applications that haven’t even been thought of yet,” said Kanwalinder Singh, senior vice president of business development, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This IoE development platform with Java support is a tool to extend the power of our integrated chipsets to application developers. We are excited that AT&T shares our vision of a cellular-connected IoE, and by the opportunities that will be created by the AT&T developer community.”

  • iOnRoad Steers iPhone Navigation Towards Safer Driving

    iOnRoad,  the maker of the iOnRoad app that improves driving in real-time using the power of modern computer vision algorithms and smart-phone cameras, has released its award-winning app on iOS 6 operating systems. iOnRoad, now available for immediate download in the App Store, is taking advantage of the leap in processing power of the iPhone 5 and  new navigation integration offered on iOS 6, the company said.

    iOnRoad’s new iOS 6 features bring about a whole new depth to driving assistance applications. The iOnRoad application’s advanced fusion with iOS 6 navigation allows the driver the benefit of turn-by-turn navigation along with iOnRoad’s augmented driving UI. Furthermore, iOnRoad’s new “black-box” like video recording feature acts as a virtual driving log, archiving users’ driving history. Should an accident occur, drivers may now be given a greater understanding of the events leading up to it.

    “We have serviced hundreds of thousands of mobile users over the past year and are excited to provide iPhone users an enhanced version of iOnRoad,” said Alon Atsmon, CEO of iOnRoad. “In addition, the new in-phone analytics dashboard tells a driver how safe and ‘green’ the drive was and can even estimate gas prices, which is quite useful given the fluctuation in gas prices today.”

    iOnRoad uses the iPhone camera and sensors to detect lanes and vehicles in front of the vehicle, alerting drivers when they are in danger. The app provides a range of personal driving assistance functions including augmented driving, collision warning, speeding alert and safety scoring.

    “We are witnessing a trend in which  systems and features that we used to find in jet-planes such as navigation, collision warnings, HUD and night vision are increasingly finding their way into the driving environment,” says Atsmon. iOnRoad’s innovation and market leadership has been validated by numerous industry awards including the 2012 CTIA E-Tech Award, CES 2012 showcase award, and one of Gartner’s cool vendors in automotive for 2012.

    View a video of iOnRoad in action.

  • GPS Autopilot Copter Marketed to Consumers

    DJI, developer and manufacturer of UAV systems, today announced the launch of the Phantom, the company’s first easy-to-fly, consumer quadcopter. Accorrding to DJI, before the Phantom, building and flying multi-rotor aircraft was a complex task only performed by professionals and extreme hobbyists.  With the Phantom, DJI brings professional-level multi-rotor flight control technology to the average person by incorporating DJI’s intelligent, GPS-based autopilot system into the Phantom. This provides for simple, ultra-stable and reliable flight characteristics right out of the box. Priced at $679, the Phantom is also half the price of competing units that require complex building and soldering to assemble.

    The Phantom comes with a remote-control unit containing pre-programmed autopilot parameters and a GoPro camera mount, making aerial cinematography easy for almost anyone, the company said. With the built-in DJI Naza-M autopilot system with GPS module, the Phantom has both GPS Attitude and Attitude Control Mode. Pilots can switch between the two modes to achieve particular flight experiences. Also incorporated are safety parameters, such as a failsafe feature that will bring the Phantom back to its take-off point and land itself if it loses signal from the remote control unit for any reason.

    Features of the Phantom:

    • Highly integrated design with high intensity orientation-aiding LED indicators
    • Ready-to-fly right out of the box – no programming needed
    • Stable and easy to fly with agile performance
    • Multiple flight modes, including GPS position hold
    • Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC)
    • Failsafe and auto go-home/landing
    • Camera mount included for GoPro.

    “DJI has always been at the forefront of both UAV flight control systems and innovative airframe technology,” stated Colin Guinn, CEO of DJI North America.  “The PHANTOM is more than an evolution of our existing technology, it is a quantum leap forward in bringing professional-level, multi-rotor aircrafts to the average consumer.”

  • LiveViewGPS Transforms Cell Phone into Location Device

    LiveViewGPS, a GPS tracking company for business, government and individuals, is unveiling a prepaid Mobile Phone Locate Card in Booth #75015 in the Eureka Park area at the International CES Show in Las Vegas this week. The card allows users to transform a cell phone into a 24-hour safety location device for families and businesses without having to buy a $100 locator or expensive apps.

    Mobile Phone Locate capitalizes on the location technology already built into cell phones to instantly locate single or multiple phones, explained George Karonis, LiveViewGPS CEO. It uses both Assisted GPS and cell network data to ensure fast, accurate locates for discreet monitoring when and where it’s needed. Because location accuracy depends on cell phone reception, GPS settings, environmental conditions and more, results can vary from a few feet to several thousand feet.

    Under the program, a customer purchases a prepaid LiveViewGPS Mobile Phone Locate card either online or at a retail store. After signing up, users select a locate plan and register the phones they want to locate. An SMS text is sent to the target phone(s) requesting a reply. Once the phone users opt in, the Mobile Phone Locater service is immediately activated. With a single click, the target phone’s location is displayed on a high-resolution graphic or satellite view map. There is no software to install, no battery draining app to download, no expensive devices to buy, and no contract to sign.

    The Mobile Phone Locate service is approved for use and works with Tier 1 carriers in North America including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint PCS, Verizon, Boost Mobile and TracFone in the United States; and Rogers and Telus in Canada. More carriers and countries will be added as they become available.

    “For businesses, keeping track of a mobile workforce is easier than ever,” Karonis added. “Mobile Phone Locate is a cost-effective, in-the-field management solution that’s fast, easy and reliable. It offers value-driven, on demand mobile location services businesses can trust. Deployment is easy across one or 1000 phones, with no additional hardware to purchase or battery draining apps to install.

  • TI’s Wi-Link 8Q Provides Wireless Connectivity for Auto Infotainment

    Wireless connectivity is becoming a key feature in automobiles for sharing and viewing content from smartphones and tablets to in-car systems, easy pairing of devices, navigation and replacement of expensive cables for in-car communication. To answer this need, today Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) introduced the WiLink 8Q family of wireless automotive connectivity solutions.

    “GNSS technology combines GPS and GLONASS signals with the on-chip positioning engine producing a more accurate fix of your location, making “urban canyons” non-existent,” according to the TI Behind the Wheel blog. TI is demonstrating WiLink 8Q and other technologies at the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas.

    With its multi-radio technology, the WiLink 8Q family reaches new levels of cross platform scalability and delivers advanced features including in-car multimedia streaming video in parallel with Bluetooth hands-free calling and advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP) stereo sound. Additionally, with near field communications (NFC) for easy Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairing, WiLink 8Q solutions enable an easy connection between a smartphone or tablet and the automobile, providing a seamless user experience, according to TI.

    The WiLink 8Q family is designed for Wi-Fi Certified Miracast operation. With an integrated power amplifier (PA) and complete software reuse across all family members, WiLink 8Q solutions provide a full range of products for wireless automotive infotainment including:

    • Super-combo SoCs with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, NFC, and GNSS support.
    • Combo-connectivity system-on-chips (SoCs) with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support.
    • More integrated combo-connectivity SoCs with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy and NFC.

    “Delivering the familiar experience consumers have with smartphones and the tablets into the automobile to share information and content from drivers’ and passengers’ devices is driving the need for strong wireless connectivity solutions. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and GNSS have to work together seamlessly as integrated parts of the entire system,” said Mattias Lange, automotive connectivity product line manager, Wireless Connectivity Solutions, TI. “The WiLink 8Q family takes our expertise in wireless connectivity and automotive applications to the next level with support of four different RF technologies on one SoC – a truly integrated approach to automotive infotainment.”

  • Unmanned Innovation Autopilots Integrate VectorNav IMU into Its INS/GPS

    Unmanned Innovation, a provider of Development Platforms for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), announced that it has partnered with VectorNav Technologies to integrate VectorNav’s VN-100 inertial measurement unit (IMU) into its os-Series Autopilots. Unmanned Innovation’s os-Series Autopilots offer a customizable solution that enables rapid prototyping and cost-effective production of fixed-wing, helicopter, multi-rotor, and custom configuration UAS. Unmanned Innovation has integrated VectorNav’s VN-100 miniature, calibrated MEMS-based, surface-mount IMU to provide customers the option of a fully calibrated and thoroughly tested IMU.

    Unmanned Innovation’s os-Series Autopilots, made commercially available for the first time in November 2012, combine modular hardware with an open architecture, making each autopilot a development platform.

    The os-Series Autopilots are offered in multiple form factors with features tailored for various vehicles, payloads, and applications. Each os-Series Autopilot is a complete integrated solution and contains an INS/GPS with air data incorporating the VectorNav VN-100, a datalink radio, payload interfaces, and a Linux computer within one miniature package, starting at 32 grams. The os-Series Autopilots come with professionally written flight control and mission software that Unmanned Innovation provides under a royalty-free license that allows for easy modification, extension, and inclusion in proprietary products.

    The partnership between the two companies began during AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America 2012 conference in August, where Unmanned Innovation was introduced to VectorNav’s VN-100 and recognized it as an attractive alternative to its existing inertial measurement sensors due to its small form factor, low-cost, and high-precision calibration. Unmanned Innovation’s flexible architecture allowed for quick integration of the VN-100 and VectorNav provided custom firmware with a faster update rate to make the IMU compatible with Unmanned Innovation’s requirements.

    The VN-100 IMU, calibrated for bias, scale factor and misalignment errors at room temperature or over the entire thermal operating range of the sensor increased the accuracy of the os-Series Autopilot navigation solution. After a short development cycle, testing and verification, VectorNav’s VN-100 IMUs are now fully integrated within Unmanned Innovation’s os-Series Autopilots. The complete os-Series product line is shipping to customers in the USA and abroad and is free of ITAR restrictions.

    “We are very pleased to be working with Unmanned Innovation on their os-Series Autopilot, which we find to be a very unique and high-value product that fills a significant gap in this market,” said John Brashear, VectorNav’s president. “We hope that the VN-100 adds to this value by allowing Unmanned Innovation to focus on its strengths improving the os-Series while securing a long-term, dependable sensing solution and partnership with our company.”