Tag: forestry

Seen & Heard: Goodbye to QE2, saving Ukrainian heritage

“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.

Screenshot: Lying in State Queue tracker

Queue Tracker for the Queen

After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, the British government launched a live queue tracker app to give people an idea how long they would have to wait to pay their respects at her lying in state at the Palace of Westminster. The app also used What3Words to help locate the end of the line using a three-word tag. The queue grew dramatically in the days before the funeral as tens of thousands lined up, some waiting as long as 16 hours. The app also showed locations of public toilets, drinking water and first-aid stations along the queue route.

Lake Sarez. (Photo: Astronaut Photography Collection/NASA)

A Dam Problem Solved

Lake Sarez, deep in the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan, was created only a century ago when a strong earthquake triggered a massive landslide. The area experiences considerable seismic activity, which could result in massive flooding downstream should a landslide dam break. With the help of 40 donkeys, 10 scientists and 30 staff from the National Time Service Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences transported and installed a BeiDou-based deformation monitoring system at the dam. The team had to resolve technical problems in the rugged area, such as providing sufficient solar power and communications. With the system now operating, the dam is being monitored in real time down to the millimeter.

Figure 3. (Image: CC BY 4.0, Remote Sensing 14, no. 17: 4274)

Counting the Forest for the Trees

Integration of aerial and ground-based mobile mapping sensors and systems is enabling a team of Purdue digital forestry researchers to locate, count and measure more than a thousand trees in a matter of hours. “The quick, accurate inventory of the global forest ecosystem will improve our ability to prevent forest fires, detect disease, perform accurate carbon counting and make informed forest management decisions,” said Songlin Fei, the Dean’s Remote Sensing Chair. The Purdue-made systems integrate GNSS and inertial navigation devices with lidar and cameras, deployed with manned aircraft, drones and backpack-mounted systems. The technology gathers a variety of information about each tree, including height, trunk diameter and branching formation. The team maintains the precise location and time tags of all acquired features.

Photo: Skeiron

Saving Ukranian Heritage

By the end of May, at least 367 incidences of destruction had occurred to Ukraine’s museums, churches, theaters and libraries. Through the project #SaveUkranianHeritage, mapping company Skeiron is capturing sites in high detail using laser scanning and photogrammetry. For a UNESCO-protected church in Lviv, the team gathered more than 300 individual laser scans and 6,000 photos to create a 3D model. The company has two laser scanners — a Leica C10 and Leica ScanStation P20, DLSR cameras and a drone. To support the project with funding or equipment, visit skeiron.com.ua/en/saveukrainianheritage/.

November 9, 2022
PlanetWatchers launches Foresights analytics platform for commercial forestry

Image: PlanetWatchers

The startup PlanetWatchers has developed Foresights, a risk management and geospatial analytics platform designed specifically to help clients manage forestry assets quickly, effectively and accurately.

Foresights identifies areas of new or potential risk, and delivers operations tracking and forest damage management services. The company plans to add satellite-driven analytics, inventory data and forest productivity services to the platform. before the end of the year.

The Foresights platform covers larger geographic areas and delivers results faster and more accurately than traditional project-based companies, traditional inventory methods and off-the-shelf processing tools, the company said.

PlanetWatchers combines multi-source satellite imagery data, topography maps, soil maps, meteorological data and near real-time ground input from operational teams to deliver optimized insights. The tool is capable of detecting disturbances as small as 0.1 ha (0.25 ac) related to pest, disease and drought damage.

Foresights will help forest managers “easily access crucial business intelligence and detailed insights and analytics on a regular basis so they can make proactive and informed decisions and take immediate remedial action,” said Ariel Smoliar, PlanetWatchers’ CEO and co-founder. “Without these higher levels of data and improved frequency of information, they could see negative impacts on their forestry management decisions, their supply chains and, ultimately, their profits.”

Reports identifying locations that require immediate mitigation can be viewed in existing GIS systems and are geolocated for forestry field teams, including offline capabilities for teams operating in remote areas without cellular reception.

“Foresights also fills a data gap known as the ‘Last Mile of Analytics’,” Smoliar said. “When we deliver satellite images to our clients, they shouldn’t have to then analyze and extract information. We remove this pain point for them by providing deep analysis of optical and radar satellite images, and compiling actionable insights and reports, including detailed maps of locations of interest. Our clients are shown not only the location of the disturbance, but also the issue and its cause, granting them vital intelligence they can act on with very little lag time. Foresters will no longer need to process or analyze imagery: this is the game-changing value of the Last Mile of Analytics.”

The Forest Operations service provides foresters with insights to track progress of various forest harvest operations such as thinning and clearcutting. This information assists operations managers in optimizing their wood supply chain and efficiently and effectively managing resources.

The Forest Disturbance service delivers location-specific reports to forest owners and managers detailing areas with identifiable disturbances that could degrade the quality, yield, and profitability of forests. Some disturbances that Foresights can identify to help commercial foresters respond proactively include growth and uniformity issues over time, illegal logging, insect infestations and disease, competitive vegetation, storm damage, drought, wildfires and more.

August 15, 2018
Hexagon launches HxGN AgrOn Logistics harvest solution for sugarcane, forestry

Hexagon, a global provider of information technology solutions, has launched HxGN AgrOn Logistics, an end-to-end solution enabling sugarcane and forestry producers to manage and optimize the complex logistics processes essential to harvest.

HxGN AgrOn Logistics will be officially unveiled today at Agrishow, one of the world´s largest agricultural technology trade shows, in Ribeiro Preto, Brazil.

“In agriculture and forestry operations, success is defined by productivity,” said Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “Efficiently moving product from field to processing is one of the most critical phases of production, and one filled with logistical risks. HxGN AgrOn Logistics is streamlining and optimizing this entire process,”

AgrOn Logistics simplifies harvest with communications, insights and operations that are continuously optimized — from planning to field to processing. Real-time communications between machines enable easy coordination, while advanced software handles monitoring, capacity planning, scheduling, dispatching, resource management and more intensive data analysis.

The benefit to sugarcane and forestry harvest operators is complete connectivity, with workflow synchronization that optimizes every step of the process – from planning to dispatching to real-time execution and full machine automation.

Field-tested by more than 70 producers, AgrOn Logistics users are experiencing steep productivity gains and sharp decreases in raw materials loss, Hexagon said,

HxGN AgrOn Logistics will put data to work for a more intelligent approach to harvest: connecting, synchronizing and optimizing workflows, people and information while reducing operating expenses.

June 19, 2017
Asteri Navigation launches X-series of wearable GNSS receivers
Asteri Navigation will introduce a new line of rugged, compact and fully integrated GNSS receivers on Nov. 15 at the 2016 Autodesk University in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Suitable for geospatial field data collection and inspection applications that require high accuracy positioning, the Asteri X-Series receivers are light enough to be mounted to external sensors or worn on the body or arm.

Asteri Navigation will debut the affordable X-1 and X-2 receivers in booth No. 1783 at Autodesk University, which runs from Nov. 15-17 at The Venetian in Las Vegas. The X-3 is scheduled for release in December.

The compact Asteri receivers were designed with safety and ease of use in mind. Each device weighs just 11.3 ounces with the 12-hour lithium battery. Their 2.8-inch by 5.4-inch size allows them to fit safely in shoulder or arm pouches.

The internal single-frequency antenna enables users to capture accuracies of well under 10 centimeters with RTK/VRS corrections. This integrated design allows users to work in difficult terrain without worrying about equipment and antennas getting snagged or broken.

Engineered to provide centimeter-level accuracy with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) or Virtual Reference Station (CRS) correction when connected to an external antenna, the Asteri GNSS receivers support a generic NMEA 0183 GNSS data protocol. This makes them compatible with data collection and field mapping applications supporting the same protocol and ideal for users who want to develop their own software applications for inspection and GIS data capture activities.

The new receivers can communicate via Bluetooth or cable with most popular devices used for field data collection, including utility line locators, ground penetrating radar, data loggers, laser rangefinders, smartphones, and tablets.

Asteri expects the X-Series will be used extensively in mapping and survey applications related to asset management, pipeline operation, utility construction, forestry, electric staking, and underground utility location.

For users needing higher accuracy, an external multi-frequency antenna can be added to the provided port on the receiver. In addition, the Asteri X-3 will be compatible with Atlas GNSS satellite-based real-time correction services worldwide.

The three products in the X-Series provide varying levels of accuracy:
- X-1 provides sub-meter accuracy out of the box.
- X-2 offers accuracy of 1 meter down to 1 centimeter with RTK/VRS.
- X-3 will achieve 1 centimeter with RTK/VRS, 30 centimeters with Atlas H30, 4-10 centimeters with Atlas H10.
November 10, 2016
Field Technology Conference: The forest and the fish

PORTLAND, Ore. — Two weeks ago, I attended (and hosted) the Field Technology Conference here in Portland, Oregon. This is the fifth year of the conference. In years past, it’s had a forestry emphasis primary because the Western Forestry and Conservation Association has been a major partner in organizing it.

This year, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership joined the organizing committee. The result was a 50-percent increase in attendance and a more diverse audience.

Another newcomer to the conference was a Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC) U.S. State and Local Government Subcommittee meeting, which was co-located with the Field Technology Conference, offering a direct connection between civil GPS users and U.S. government representatives who are involved in GPS.

The conference was a two-day event comprised of three technology tracks: a track for general field technology and two tracks for industry-specific (forestry and fisheries) subjects, hands-on technology demonstrations and a field trip. Although forestry and fisheries professionals were the featured user groups, nearly all of the subject matters — GPS, UAVs, smartphones, tablets, laser rangefinders, lidar, photogrammetry, and field data-collection software — is applicable for a wide range of natural resource users involved with GIS (geographic information systems) technology.

As one of the hosts of the conference, I started out moderating the general session with all of the attendees in one room. This year, my general session topics include geospatial awareness and growth, GPS/GNSS technology, mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) and UAVs.

Something new I tried this year, which worked out really well, was using audience response “clickers.” These small handheld devices were given to each audience member and allowed them to answer multiple choice questions that I posed in my Powerpoint presentation. I’ve always been a fan of audience input, and started polling the audience during webinars I conducted many years ago. For this conference, I used an audience polling system from Turning Technologies. I’d like to share with you the questions I asked the audience and the responses that I received.

Question #1: Are you here?

Comment: This was a test question to see if the audience response system was working properly. I’m still not sure if the audience just had a great sense of humor or a technical problem. I think the former was true. ☺

Question #2: Have you attended this conference before?

Comment: This was great news that the conference is attracting new attendees. It’s an annual event held in November, so keep your eyes on it for next year!

Question #3: After a brief discussion about the availability of higher accuracy geospatial data (eg. GNSS, UAVs, etc.), I was curious about the level of accuracy the audience required in their typical tasks.

What geospatial data accuracy do your typical tasks require?

Comment: I wasn’t sure what to expect with this question, but since I’ve polled a fisheries audience before, I had a feeling accuracy requirements would vary, and they did. Previously, a fisheries audience had told me that they were satisfied with 5-meter accuracy.

Question #4: The last question leads to this one. I wondered if the audience accuracy requirement was driven by requirement or by availability.

Are you satisfied with the accuracy of the geospatial data you use?

Comment: The answer is clear that, generally speaking, the audience would use higher accuracy geospatial data if it was available.

Question #5: The next question was a pure technology one. In the day of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), I’ve been very interested in monitoring the trends in mobile devices. The question about operating systems is relevant because it determines which data collection software you can use. For example, if a specific data-collection software is written only for Windows, it will not run on an Android or Apple (iOS) device.

Which operating system do you use on your mobile device(s)?

Comment: These responses surprised me a bit. They certainly don’t match the global market share figures that I’ve read. Following are the latest mobile device operating system market share numbers reported by IDC and Statista.

Question #6: The next part of my presentation discussed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, also known as UAS or drone) technology. UAVs were a significant part of the conference this year. We had many presentations and some static demonstrations on UAV technology. On this subject, I had several questions for the audience.

Do you currently use a UAS?

Comment: These answers were not surprising. Flying UAVs commercially in the U.S. requires a special permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To date, the FAA has only issued about 2,000 such exemptions.

Question #7: Do you anticipate using a UAS?

Comment: These answers surprised me a bit. I had no idea the audience would be so interested in personally flying a UAV. This has me thinking about this the same way I think about GPS receivers — just another tool in the toolbox.

Question #8: How much are you willing to spend on a UAS?

Comment: These responses don’t surprise me, although I polled another audience at a different venue that was more engineering-oriented, and the answers were a bit different. The engineering-oriented audience was willing to spend more for a UAV.

Furthermore, in speaking with various attendees during the conference, there was quite a bit of interest in attaching different sensors to UAVs for various requirements. For example, lidar, multi-spectral and thermal (temperature) sensors were commonly mentioned as payloads they would like to see. The challenge is that the cost of a UAV rises sharply when these types of payloads are accommodated, and conflicts with the audience’s response about how much they are willing to pay for a UAV.

In next month’s column, I’ll post links to the papers presented at the Field Technology Conference as well as videos of papers presented by the CGSIC folks.

See you next month.

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GPSGIS_Eric

Source: FTC

November 30, 2015
Handheld’s Nautiz X8 Field Computer Gets Add-ons
Handheld Group is offering expansion pack features for its Nautiz X8 rugged field computer. The new functionalities will make the Nautiz X8 more versatile for field workers in a number of market segments, including forestry, surveying, construction, field services, warehouse projects and logistics.

The Nautiz X8 was built to enable efficient and reliable data collection in the toughest of environments. Ultra-rugged with superior processing power, screen size and sunlight visibility, the X8 is used in the GIS, land surveying, public safety, forestry and military sectors.

Handheld now offers three expansion packs for the Nautiz X8:
- Nautiz X8 Long Range Bluetooth (LRBT) Expansion Pack features a LRBT u-blox module, which allows long-range communication up to 300 meters. This option is especially well-suited for advanced forestry solutions, surveying and construction work.
- Nautiz X8 Barcode Expansion Pack features an imager module (Zebra SE4750SR) with an LED aimer, which allows for competitive scanning performance without sacrificing design, ruggedness or user experience. This option is ideal for workers in field service, warehouse projects and logistics.
- Nautiz X8 Basic Expansion Pack is an empty add-on cap for an extension of your choice. It increases the Nautiz X8’s customizability and flexibility for specific customer requirements. It also allows users to install custom accessories under the cap using the proprietary interface.
The new Nautiz X8 expansion packs will be available in September. All cap versions are designed to retain the Nautiz X8 IP67 classification.

“The Nautiz X8 is the world’s best rugged handheld computer, with an outstanding screen and exceptional durability, connectivity, processing power and battery life — without compromising ergonomics or design,” said Jerker Hellström, CEO of Handheld Group. “These new expansions will make it even more versatile, customizable and attractive for field users in a number of industry segments. We take pride in always working with our partners and customers to understand their specific needs and create solutions they actually want and will benefit from.”

The Nautiz X8 has an IP67 ingress protection rating and is protected against dust, sand and water immersion. It also meets MIL-STD-810G military test standards for overall durability and resistance to humidity, shock, vibrations, drops, salt and extreme temperatures.
August 26, 2015
DigitalGlobe’s Geospatial Big Data Platform Enabling New Commercial Solutions

DigitalGlobe, Inc., has agreed to provide another commercial customer access to its Geospatial Big Data (GBD) platform, paving the way for new analytic products serving the insurance, forestry, oil & gas, and mining industries, the company said.

Exogenesis is a provider of advanced analytics, algorithm development, and predictive modeling and simulation. The company has subscribed to DigitalGlobe’s GBD service to facilitate new product development enabled by large-scale data analysis.

The agreement includes access to algorithms, expertise, and petabytes of high-resolution satellite imagery collected over the past 15 years. DigitalGlobe customers Orbital Insight and Cuende have also subscribed to the service and are introducing unique products to their commercial markets.

DigitalGlobe’s cloud-based GBD offering is a “platform as a service” model that provides access to DigitalGlobe’s vast image library. It is designed to create a new ecosystem in which partners and developers can leverage their expertise and API’s to create new customer solutions without the cost of owning and operating costly IT infrastructure, DigitalGlobe said.

The GBD platform is one of the strategic initiatives propelling DigitalGlobe toward its vision of becoming the indispensable source of information about the planet, the company said.

“Exogenesis is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with DigitalGlobe, the biggest name in commercial satellite imagery,” said Sean Anklam, president of Exogenesis. “As an early adopter of DigitalGlobe’s Geospatial Big Data platform, we will be able to provide the most advanced decision support information derived from source imagery of the highest quality.”

“It’s a privilege to bring our Geospatial Big Data capabilities to the market with an innovative partner like Exogenesis,” said Shay Har-Noy, DigitalGlobe’s Senior Director for GBD. “We are committed to investing in Geospatial Big Data in order to create a living digital inventory of the surface of the earth, enabled by our unmatched satellite constellation, commitment to ecosystem partners, and ability to convert imagery at scale into searchable, analytics-ready information layers.”

February 5, 2015
Handheld Makes Algiz 10X Rugged Tablet More Powerful
Handheld’s Algiz 10X rugged tablet now has Windows 8, a faster processor.

Handheld Group is upgrading its Algiz 10X tablet. With the upgrade, the rugged tablet for field professionals now features the Windows 8.1 Pro operating system, which is downgradable to Windows 7. Windows 8.1 Pro offers enhanced features to help users connect to company networks, access one PC from another, encrypt data and more.

The upgraded Algiz 10X also has a more powerful processor that speeds startup and operation, increases software compatibility and doubles processor performance. Its has an integrated u-blox GPS receiver with WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS capability.

Like all of Handheld’s rugged PDAs, smartphones and mobile computers, the Algiz 10X is specifically developed for field workers in industries such as geomatics, logistics, forestry, public transportation, utilities, construction, maintenance, mining, military and security. It is IP65-rated and meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military standards — protected against dust, water, vibrations, drops and extreme temperatures. It has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, weighs 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds) and is 32 millimeters (1.2 inches) thick.

“By using the very latest operating system available from Microsoft, customers can now enjoy quicker startup and operation, increased software compatibility and improved support for touchscreen-based tablets, among other benefits,” said Johan Hed, Handheld’s director of product management.

The new Algiz 10X also has the powerful Intel quad-core N2930 1.83 GHz processor with 2.16 GHz boost. This processor allows for both higher performance and cooler running temperatures. Compared to the Algiz 10X’s previous processor, the N2930 more than doubles performance benchmarking, RAM support, number of cores and performance per watt.

“We have dramatically increased performance levels without sacrificing operating time or mechanical design,” Hed concludes. “We have also improved our wireless communication support. Besides 802.11 b/g/n on 2.4 GHz, we now support both 802.11ac and 802.11a on 5 GHz. The upgraded Algiz 10X also supports LTE, which provides substantially faster data speeds, both up- and downstream, and increased overall network coverage.”

Key features of the Algiz 10X version 2:
- Powerful Intel quad-core N2930 1.83 GHz processor
- 128 GB SSD, expandable via microSD
- 4 GB of DDR3 RAM
- Windows 8.1 Industry Pro (downgradeable to Windows 7)
- 10.1-inch touchscreen with high-brightness MaxView screen technology
- IP65 rating and conformity to stringent MIL-STD-810G test standards
- LTE capability with a fully integrated modem and antennas
- Integrated u-blox GPS receiver and WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS capability
- Antenna pass-through connectors for both GSM and GPS
- Several connectivity options, including WLAN and BT, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, VGA and RS232 ports
The upgraded Algiz 10X is available now and orders can be placed immediately.

Below is a video about the new Algiz 10X.
February 4, 2015
Juniper’s New Rugged Handheld Designed for Data-Collecting Efficiency

The Allegro 2 by Juniper Systems. Photo: Juniper Systems

Juniper Systems announced its newest rugged handheld computer, the Allegro 2, at the InterGeo 2014 trade show, held September 7-9 in Berlin. The handheld is the latest in the company’s Allegro product line, “with every bit of reliability,” the company says, but now with some major advancements.

According to Juniper Systems, the Allegro 2 was designed for data-intensive applications, with meticulous attention paid to the engineering and design of the handheld to maximize efficiency and precision, both of which are critically important to high-volume data collection.

Compared to the Allegro 1, the Allegro 2 has a newly designed keyboard in a QWERTY and numeric layout, with large, glove-friendly buttons for rapid — even non-visual — data entry. The new handheld features a custom Sun-to-Shade display that is 20 percent larger than the previous Allegro. It offers excellent visibility in any lighting conditions, the company said.

The Allegro 2 is powered by an Overtime Technology battery, providing a 20+ hours of runtime. Its touchscreen uses capacitive technology, providing excellent durability, as well as crystal-clear imagery and greater sensitivity to touch, Juniper Systems said. The Allegro 2 has significantly enhanced GNSS performance, extended Bluetooth range, camera and video options, and a more powerful processor than the Allegro 1.

“The Allegro 2 is our next-generation product, and it includes all of the latest enhancements available in its sister product, the Archer 2,” said John Florio, product manager at Juniper Systems. “The Allegro 2 was built from the ground up, based on user feedback on the jobs they have to do. Whether the customer is grading lumber in a log scaling yard, running a robotic total station, or performing a close-interval pipeline survey, the Allegro 2 is the best solution for the field today.”

The Allegro 2 is scheduled to begin shipping in November.

October 10, 2014
Handheld Group Launches Nautiz X8 Device for GIS

Handheld Group, a manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, has launched the Nautiz X8 rugged PDA. The Nautiz X8 is a handheld computer with superior processing power, screen performance and battery life, the company said. It is built for tough field conditions primarily in GIS, land surveying, public safety, forestry and the military.

The Nautiz X8 is built to enable efficient and reliable data collection in tough environments. It has an IP67 ingress protection rating, which means it offers complete protection against dust and sand and can withstand immersion in water. It also meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military test standards for overall durability and resistance to humidity, shock, vibration, drops, salt and extreme temperatures.

The Nautiz X8 features a high-performance Texas Instruments 4470 dual-core 1.5 GHz processor. It has 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of iNAND Flash and a 5200 mAh Li-ion battery that lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge. It comes with a choice of operating systems — Android 4.2.2 or Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5.3.

The device has a large 4.7-inch ultra-bright capacitive multi-touch screen with chemically strengthened Asahi Dragontrail glass, offering users brightness and protection in any field condition. The unit has an ergonomic design and weighs 490 grams (17.3 ounces).

The Nautiz X8 has a dedicated u-blox GPS receiver, Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11b/g/n WLAN functionality, as well as connectivity through GSM/UMTS or CDMA phone data transmission. A built-in 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and an LED flash lets users capture visual data quickly and easily. This handheld also features an open architecture and an extension cap system that allows for additional hardware connections such as sensors, radios and other add-ons.

Orders for the new Nautiz X8 can be placed immediately. First deliveries will begin in November.

The Nautiz X8 rugged handheld will be shown first at WEFTEC in New Orleans, followed by InterGeo in Berlin.

September 23, 2014
Handheld Group Launches Nautiz X8 Rugged Device

Photo: Handheld Group

Handheld Group, a manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, has launched the Nautiz X8 rugged PDA. The Nautiz X8 is a handheld computer with superior processing power, screen performance and battery life, the company said. It is built for tough field conditions primarily in GIS, land surveying, public safety, forestry and the military.

Photo: Handheld Group

The Nautiz X8 is built to enable efficient and reliable data collection in tough environments. It has an IP67 ingress protection rating, which means it offers complete protection against dust and sand and can withstand immersion in water. It also meets stringent MIL-STD-810G military test standards for overall durability and resistance to humidity, shock, vibration, drops, salt and extreme temperatures.

The Nautiz X8 features a high-performance Texas Instruments 4470 dual-core 1.5 GHz processor. It has 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of iNAND Flash and a 5200 mAh Li-ion battery that lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge. It comes with a choice of operating systems — Android 4.2.2 or Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5.3.

The device has a large 4.7-inch ultra-bright capacitive multi-touch screen with chemically strengthened Asahi Dragontrail glass, offering users brightness and protection in any field condition. The unit has an ergonomic design and weighs 490 grams (17.3 ounces).

The Nautiz X8 has a dedicated u-blox GPS receiver, Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11b/g/n WLAN functionality, as well as connectivity through GSM/UMTS or CDMA phone data transmission. A built-in 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and an LED flash lets users capture visual data quickly and easily. This handheld also features an open architecture and an extension cap system that allows for additional hardware connections such as sensors, radios and other add-ons.

Orders for the new Nautiz X8 can be placed immediately. First deliveries will begin in November.

The Nautiz X8 rugged handheld will be shown first at WEFTEC in New Orleans, followed by InterGeo in Berlin.

September 23, 2014
Proteus Discusses Satellite-Derived Forest Inventory in Webinar
Proteus FZC, a provider of satellite-derived mapping and classification services, will discuss its use of high-resolution WorldView-2 imagery to derive accurate forest inventory and tree classification maps in Abu Dhabi during a free webinar with DigitalGlobe.

“Vegetation Analysis in the Desert Using Satellite Imagery,” part of the ongoing DigitalGlobe LEAD Webinar Series, will be held September 24 at 12:30 p.m. BST (7:30 a.m. U.S. EDT). Register by clicking here.

The webinar is aimed at managers and technical analysts from forestry, agriculture, remote sensing and GIS organizations in private and public sectors. The webinar will cover:
- How very high-resolution satellite remote sensing technology is being deployed commercially for tree inventory and condition analysis.
- Tools that are available now to help agriculture, forestry and environmental decision makers in areas with sparse water resources.
- How to use satellite data in support of environmental planning and policy creation.
Richard Flemmings, Proteus project manager, will offer insight into a recent 20-million tree mapping and classification project performed by Proteus FZC in Abu Dhabi. As an extension to an Emirate-wide habitat and land use/land cover project, Proteus applied advanced processing algorithms to the multispectral and panchromatic WorldView-2 image data to differentiate many tree species and assess the condition of individual trees, critical for irrigation management.

“This project demonstrates the viability of using very high-resolution satellite imagery to quickly and cost effectively create baseline vegetative inventories within diverse land-use areas,” said Flemmings. “The mapping technique used in Abu Dhabi can be applied to create forest and vegetation inventories of other species anywhere in the world.”

Since 2011, Proteus has been delivering solutions for mapping and classification projects using multispectral satellite imagery. These mapping projects have been delivered for environmental, oil & gas, engineering and other coastal zone applications in Europe, USA, the Middle East and Caribbean.

For more information on Proteus products, see www.proteusgeo.com or email [email protected] for further details or to discuss individual requirements.
September 16, 2014