GPS World

Tag: GIS

  • Epson offers SureColor T3170x compact printer

    Photo: Epson
    Photo: Epson

    Epson has launched the Epson SureColor T3170x 24-inch wide-format wireless printer. Engineered to enhance workflow, the new model in the SureColor T-Series product line offers cartridge-free printing in a clean, space-saving design.

    The new, easy-to-fill, refillable ink tanks eliminate time spent purchasing and changing ink cartridges. Ideal for low-cost POP and education posters, as well as blueprints and line drawings up to 24 inches, the SureColor T3170x produces accurate, A1/D-size prints in 34 seconds.

    “This SureColor T3170x joins the popular T-Series line that delivers powerful printing solutions for many industries, including architecture, engineering, construction, creative professionals and graphic design,” said Matt Kochanowski, product manager, professional imaging, Epson America. “The new refillable ink tank design provides greater flexibility and productivity for workgroups — taking away the worry of changing ink cartridges and lowering running costs — while also delivering the advanced features and space-saving design our customers expect.”

    The SureColor T3170x leverages an Epson PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Precision Droplet Control to produce output with crisp lines and outstanding clarity. Whether printing from a roll or the Auto Sheet Feeder, the 4.3-inch color LCD touchscreen makes tasks simple and intuitive, and integrated wireless and Wi-Fi Direct connectivity, allows users to easily print from virtually anywhere in the office using a tablet or smartphone.

    Additional product features include:

    • Cartridge-free printing – High-capacity ink bottles with auto-stop for easy, mess-free filling
    • Ultra-fast print speeds – A1/D-size prints in as fast as 34 seconds
    • Low running costs – Ink included in the box can print a substantial number of posters or technical drawings
    • Easy to operate – Large, intuitive 4.3-inch color LCD screen simplifies print tasks
    • Compact, clean design – Ultra-small footprint,4 and sleek, minimal design enhances workspaces; easily fits on a desktop or on its own with optional stand, sold separately
    • Print from virtually anywhere in the office – Easily print from tablets, smartphones and more with integrated wireless plus router-free Wi-Fi Direct printing
    • Outstanding image quality – PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Precision Droplet Control for outstanding clarity, plus commercial-grade reliability with Nozzle Verification Technology
    • Versatile media handling – Accommodates rolls up to 24-inch wide and sheets up to 11”x17” through the auto sheet feeder
    • Precise, sharp details – Print posters, blueprints, line drawings, and more up to 2400 dpi
    • Easy setup – Get up and running out of the box in as quickly as 30 minutes

    Availability

    The SureColor T3170x 24-inch wireless printer will be available through authorized Epson Professional Imaging resellers in December 2019. The SureColor T3170x offers a standard Epson PreferredSM Limited Warranty, a one-year program that includes toll-free advanced telephone access Monday through Friday. The Epson SureColor T3170x is designed to work exclusively with Epson ink. For additional information, visit www.proimaging.epson.com.

  • CHC Navigation introduces LT700H GNSS RTK tablet

    CHC Navigation introduces LT700H GNSS RTK tablet

    CHC Navigation has launched its LT700H RTK Android tablet, designed to increase efficiency and productivity of the mobile field workforce in applications requiring centimeter-to-decimeter positioning accuracy.

    Photo: CHC Navigation
    Photo: CHC Navigation

    Portable, rugged and versatile, the LT700H enables precision GIS data collection, forensic mapping, construction site layout, environmental surveys, landscaping and earthmoving jobs.

    Powered by 184-channel high-performance GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou module and a superior tracking GNSS helical antenna, the LT700H provides position availability in demanding environments. Its integrated 4G modem ensures seamless communication from field-to-office and robust connectivity to GNSS real-time kinematic (RTK) networks corrections.

    “With the LT700H RTK Tablet, we are offering a professional and accurate GNSS solution to any mobile applications requiring high-portability,” said George Zhao, CEO of CHC Navigation. “The LT700H enables further use of GNSS technology, from single operator to companies with large field crew.”

    Combined with CHCNAV Landstar 7 field data-collection software, the LT700H has a vibrant 8-inch IPS sunlight-viewable screen that perfectly displays GIS data tables, vector and raster maps or high-resolution pictures.

    The LT700H Google GMS certification guarantees compatibility with any common GIS and mapping Android applications.

  • New Soar platform gives public real-time views of world events

    New Soar platform gives public real-time views of world events

    Chicago freeze. (Photo: Soar)
    Chicago freeze. (Photo: Soar)

    Satellite imagery company Soar is now allowing public access to its satellites that provide near-real time imagery all across Earth at 10-meter resolution per pixel.

    Both the public and the media will now be able to see high-definition aerial views of anywhere on Earth to observe events as they happen. This includes but is not limited to environmental disasters such as wildfires, tsunamis, hurricanes and drought.

    Governments will also be able to monitor activities such as the protests in Hong Kong, or illegal mining or deforestation.

    Developed by geospatial experts, the map sources satellite images from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel, NASA’s Landsat feeds and the SuperView and Gaofen satellites.

    As well as satellite content, the super-map will integrate imagery sourced from drone owners (drone pilots) around the world, who can earn passive income as the value of their imagery becomes realized. They can thus become a one-stop-shop for the collection, distribution, and monetization of mapping imagery from different sensors.

    “The problem Soar is solving is that almost 80 percent of all mapping imagery is currently accessed through just one channel, which is, for the most part, reserved mostly for niche commercial use,” said Soar founder and CEO Amir Farhand. “In many cases, the general public only has access to resources that are not updated as frequently. Soar addresses these limitations by generating dynamic, ever-changing data on our platform.”

    “Imagery taken by a drone user can be uploaded to social media, and may attract a few likes, or will sit idle on a hard drive,” Farhand said. “The same image uploaded to Soar contributes content to the seeding of the super-map, providing value to a global community, as well as generating income for the drone pilot.”

    Soar’s Head of Growth, Tim Glover added, “Imagine if we could re-use that imagery in a way that was totally authentic, collaborative and most importantly, accessible to all. Soar allows anyone to view the Earth from above, meaning it’s easy to observe things like environmental changes, including drought, melting ice caps, industrial growth, natural disasters like volcano eruptions, just to name a few uses. The aim of Soar is to enable anyone to explore and discover our ever-changing world.”

    With almost 10 petabytes of data already acquired, Soar is planning additional imagery as part of their growth strategy. Soar has already received several partnership requests from multinational organizations with excess satellite, aerial and drone content from across the globe.

    In the near future, the platform will also feature additional data streams from higher resolution satellites, aerial imagery providers and both commercial and recreational drone operators globally.

    The use of Soar is suitable for a wide range of industries and applications including agriculture, environmental, logistics, mining and insurance. However, since its beta launch in late 2018, the largest area of growth has been news and social media as users share imagery of landscape events from around the world.

    Soar was founded in 2017 by Amir Farhand, an entrepreneur with more than 15 years of geospatial expertise. The Soar leadership team is headed by Chairman Guy Perkins, former co-founder of aerial imaging companies NearMap and Spookfish. Other key managers come from a wide range of industry sectors with varying backgrounds, including the Australian Special Forces, United States Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Rio Tinto, NBCUniversal and Amblin Entertainment.

    To view Soar’s platform, visit soar.earth

  • Esri hits the airwaves with ‘See What Others Can’t’ campaign

    Esri has launched its first major advertising campaign with a slogan Esri President Jack Dangermond introduced at the Esri User Conference in July.

    “Unlike anyone else on this planet, you and your fellow GIS colleagues truly ‘See What Others Can’t.’ My sense is, it’s now time to share this perspective with the rest of the world,” Dangermond said.

    The campaign includes broadcast commercials, industry magazines and newspapers, at airports, on billboards and on websites.

    “We are inviting the public to join us in understanding how we see the world and how we want them to see the world,” Dangermond said. “We are hopeful this will help expand the understanding and appreciation of what our users do. We ultimately want to bring more people into our community — sharing information, working together, and finding new ways to solve the greatest challenges of today and the future.”

  • Esri releases ArcGIS QuickCapture for one-touch field data-collection

    New app gives field crews a fast, easy way to record information while mobile

    Esri has released ArcGIS QuickCapture, a mobile app designed for rapid and at-speed field data-collection workflows.

    Data can be collected from a moving vehicle with the touch of a button and sent back to the office for real-time analysis, leading to faster and more effective decision-making. The new app is designed for road inspections, aerial surveys, monitoring vegetation encroachment and more.

    ArcGIS QuickCapture allows users to configure a customized interface that suits their specific project requirements, eliminating unnecessary features and options. This personalization helps users take advantage of the single-tap, big-button system to capture details and photos as they go. The app is intuitive and user-friendly, eliminating the need for extensive crew training.

    The new app integrates with the user’s existing IT infrastructure and ArcGIS platform, which simplifies implementation. It uses the existing GPS and camera on smartphones and tablets, and it is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows devices.

    For high-accuracy data collection workflows, QuickCapture is also compatible with external GNSS receivers.

    “ArcGIS QuickCapture builds upon and enhances our existing field data collection offerings in ArcGIS,” said Ismael Chivite, senior product manager at Esri. “Field crews are demanding user experiences that are tailored to the way they work. QuickCapture is designed to capture GIS data with the tap of a button, while on the go. At-speed road asset inventories and quick damage assessments are examples of workflows where QuickCapture excels.”

    To learn more about ArcGIS QuickCapture, visit go.esri.com/quick.

  • EOS platform offers worldwide satellite imagery

    EOS has partnered with four high-resolution imagery providers — Airbus Defense and Space, SI Imaging Services, SpaceWill and 21AT — so users can purchase the latest images directly from LandViewer, the official high-resolution data reseller, or view the images of an area of interest in high resolution on the map.

    LandViewer collects the latest up-to-date satellite imagery from commercial satellite providers and incorporates it into an easy-to-use platform. The collection is constantly being improved with new sensors.

    LandViewer offers two data sources of commercial imagery:

    • High-resolution imagery (for analytics), to find and purchase high-resolution images for further in-depth analysis. In this case, the price is based on the size of the area of intersection between the selected image and your area of interest (AOI).
    Image from Landviewer for analytics. (Image: EOS)
    Image from Landviewer for analytics. (Image: EOS)
    • High-resolution imagery (view only) to view high-resolution images for your area of interest (AOI). In this case, the price is based on the number of tiles within your AOI. The view only  option is designed as a stand-alone data source for the everyday business user.
    Image from Landviewer (view only). (Image: EOS)
    Image from Landviewer (view only). (Image: EOS)

    The EOS platform uses commercial imagery from LandViewer with a resolution between 0.3 meter and 1.5 meters, enabling a close look at  assets of interest, anywhere in the world.

  • Pointfuse laser scanning software transforms digital construction workflows

    A design mesh. (Photo: Pointfuse)
    A design mesh. (Photo: Pointfuse)

    Pointfuse has released the latest version of its advanced point cloud processing software that converts the millions of individual measurements captured by laser scanning and photogrammetry.

    Featuring new streamlined classification to ensure maximum efficiency and multicore processing for unlimited conversion power, the new version of Pointfuse is set to transform workflows within digital construction, facilities management and virtual design applications.

    “Pointfuse is designed to make the use of point cloud data more accessible by removing many of the traditional barriers to use,” said Mark Senior, regional sales director at Pointfuse. “Obstacles such as processing time and computer power, incompatibility within existing workflows and outputs files that are large and complex; these have all been obliterated with the latest Pointfuse release.”

    Pointfuse now includes a new streamlined workflow which makes object classification easy, using templates and shortcuts to ensure maximum efficiency. This ability to classify objects within Pointfuse has had a huge impact on how as-built data is utilized within digital design workflows; being able to quickly compare specific as-built objects with the design enables more accurate clash detection, reducing the number of false clashes being flagged.

    IFC (Industry Foundation Classes — an open format data model that is intended to describe architectural, building and construction industry data) templates can also be created and edited for specific applications. With applications including architectural, MEP and HVAC, selected objects can be classified and mapped to ensure compatibility with onward workflows.

    Pointfuse also includes a new conversion engine which uses multicore processing to manage and enable unlimited point cloud conversion to provide real scalability. In addition, Pointfuse’s mesh models are intelligently optimized, reducing the working data size by a factor of up to 100, making them easy to share with online 3D collaboration platforms, such as BIM 360, 3D Repo, Revitzo and Trimble Connect.

    “Using Pointfuse we can create intelligent 3D mesh models in a fraction of the time,” commented Ben Callan, BIM coordinator in global construction services company ISG’s UK Fit Out business. “This accelerated modelling and reduced risk of error contributes to a direct reduction in costs when compared against traditional methods of modelling and point cloud data analysis. The easy to use, easy to consume outputs are also paving the way for new applications of the data including existing versus design clash avoidance and checks of temporary works against required construction activities.”

  • Trimble TerraFlex now has offline data transfer

    Trimble TerraFlex now has offline data transfer

    TerraFlex users can now synchronize data directly to their on-premise Esri geographic information system without cloud services.

    Photo: Trimble
    Photo: Trimble

    The new software workflow — called offline data transfer — is possible through the integration of Trimble TerraFlex and the Trimble Positions Desktop add-in for Esri ArcGIS Desktop.

    TerraFlex is a field solution that enables mobile workers to easily collect, manage and edit their geospatial feature data.

    The new workflow provides an alternative to using Trimble cloud services for storing and transferring GIS feature data collected with the TerraFlex platform. In addition, TerraFlex field data collected via this workflow using a Trimble GNSS receiver can be post-processed directly inside the Trimble Positions Desktop add-in for improved positional accuracy.

    “With this new feature, TerraFlex fulfills the need of organizations such as government agencies and utility providers who cannot keep their data in the cloud because of regulatory constraints or business rules,” said Rachel Blair-Winker, business area manager for Trimble Mapping & GIS solutions.

    “By introducing the new workflow to our TerraFlex software platform, customers who prefer direct desktop methods of transferring data between field and office (such as USB) and need post-processing capabilities can now benefit using this new solution without having to change their current business practices,” Blair-Winker said.

    Trimble TerraFlex is available online or through Trimble’s Authorized Geospatial distribution channel. The mobile apps are available in Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store.

    The Trimble Positions Desktop add-in is available through the Trimble Geospatial distribution channel. The new workflow functionality will require the latest version of both applications.

  • Bentley Systems to cover smart city technology at Intergeo 2019

    Bentley Systems to cover smart city technology at Intergeo 2019

    At Intergeo 2019, Bentley Systems will be focusing on digital construction, digital cities, reality modeling and civil design. (Photo: iStock.com/alexsl)
    At Intergeo 2019, Bentley Systems will be focusing on digital construction, digital cities, reality modeling and civil design. (Photo: iStock.com/alexsl)

    Bentley Systems will be focusing on smart cities, specifically digital twins for digitally advanced smart cities and other technology solutions, at Intergeo 2019, which will take place Sept. 17-19 in Stuttgart, Germany.

    During the show, the company will offer demonstrations and discuss digital construction, digital cities, reality modeling and civil design. In the realm of digital construction, Bentley Systems will cover the use of a mixed reality solution for 4D construction featuring Bentley’s SYNCHRO (4D construction software) with Microsoft HoloLens.

    The company also will demonstrate how its OpenCities Planner software enables visualization of 2D, 3D and GIS data in a 3D world. Bentley colleagues will discuss how OpenCities Planner’s capabilities combined with Bentley’s reality modeling offerings make city-scale digital twins broadly accessible, the company said.

    In addition, the company will key in on reality modeling, including the process of capturing the physical reality of an infrastructure asset, creating a representation of it and maintaining it through continuous surveys. Bentley experts also will demonstrate the use of ContextCapture, which enables users to generate spatially-classified and engineering-ready reality models at any desired level of accuracy and scale, including entire cities.

    Finally, the company will discuss how civil design can be made better though its open applications, including OpenRoads, OpenSite and OpenRail.

    During the show, Robert Mankowski, vice president of Bentley Systems’ Digital Cities Business Unit, will present a keynote on Sept. 18 titled, “The Digitally Advanced City: Trusted Information Whenever and Wherever Needed.” Håkan Engman, business development director of reality modeling at Bentley Systems, also will present a spot talk on Sept. 19 titled, “Digital Transformation for Increased Efficiency and Sustainability.”

    Bentley Systems will be in Hall 3 at booth A3.010 at Intergeo.

  • Satellite space sensor to measure coastal and ocean ecosystems

    Satellite space sensor to measure coastal and ocean ecosystems

    Hyperspectral imagery of U.S. East Coast. (Image: NOAA)
    Hyperspectral imagery of U.S. East Coast. (Image: NOAA)

    Raytheon will build the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) sensor under a contract from the University of New Hampshire. GLIMR, NASA’s selected Earth Venture Instrument-5 investigation, will be NASA’s first hyperspectral imager in geostationary (GEO) orbit.

    Hyperspectral imaging collects and processes information from across the electromagnetic spectrum including visible light, infrared and ultraviolet frequencies to create a highly detailed view of physical and biological conditions in coastal waters.

    The instrument will provide high-sensitivity, high-spatial and high-temporal resolution measurements of coastal and ocean ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico, parts of the southeastern U.S. coastline and the Amazon River plume.

    Decision-makers will use the GLIMR data to respond rapidly to natural and manmade coastal water disasters, such as harmful algae blooms and oil spills. It will also help improve the coastal ecosystem’s sustainability and resource management.

    “GLIMR will collect the sharpest and most colorful view of physical and biological conditions in coastal waters ever seen from GEO,” said Jeff Puschell, GLIMR instrument scientist and principal engineering fellow at Raytheon Space Systems. “A hyperspectral imager is essential technology to capture new insight about our changing coastal ecosystems.”

    The University of New Hampshire is NASA’s lead organization for the GLIMR contract. The instrument will launch aboard its host spacecraft in the 2026-2027 timeframe. Its data will be available to scientists, researchers and educators around the world.

  • Concept3D’s night map feature supports campus security

    A new night map integration feature is available for all Concept3D maps. The toggle-on map overlay is designed to enhance campus safety and security by making it easy to find the best, well-lit routes and critical resources such as emergency phones.

    The Concept3D interactive mapping platform is used by hundreds of major universities, colleges and schools, as well as convention centers, hospitals, resorts, retirement communities, data centers and businesses.

    The night map feature offers all of these clients a way to provide their audiences with important safety and security information for visiting and navigating the campus at night.

    The University of Denver, Boise State University, and Pacific Lutheran University are the first to integrate this feature into their Concept3D-powered interactive campus maps.

    The night map of the campus of Boise State University. (Image: Concept3D)
    The night map of the campus of Boise State University. (Image: Concept3D)

    Boise State University is using the new night map feature to highlight Public Safety Dispatch Centers, Emergency Blue Light and Refugee Phones and locations of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Each item has a display box that further explain the exact location of the service and additional information.

    Pacific Lutheran uses the night map to display campus AEDs, emergency telephones, and its safety building.

    Colleges and universities that participate in federal Title IV student financial assistance programs must comply with the Clery Act, which requires annual security reporting, details and geographic information about crimes committed on campus and on public areas immediately adjacent to the campus, and timely warnings and emergency notifications, among other requirements.

  • Airbus strengthens imagery capabilities with Vision-1

    Airbus has enlarged its high-resolution imagery portfolio following an agreement to leverage capacity from the S1-4 satellite built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). The new imagery offer — called Vision-1 — delivers end-to-end imaging operations to Airbus’ customers.

    Vision-1 provides 0.9-meter resolution imagery in the panchromatic band and 3.5-meter in the multispectral bands (NIR, RGB), with a 20.8-kilometer swath width. These specifications are ideal for defence, security and agriculture applications, while this extra revisit opportunity further strengthens Airbus’ satellite fleet.

    “This new asset will reinforce our monitoring capabilities for sub-metre imaging, and feed our OneAtlas digital platform to provide increased freshness,” said François Lombard, director of Intelligence Business at Airbus Defence and Space.

    Vision-1 operations will be coordinated by Airbus in the UK, following integration into the UK Mission Operation Centre, which operates the commercial imaging of the DMC Constellation. This is an important step for UK sovereign imaging capability, Airbus said, adding sub-meter data to the existing UK imaging capabilities.

    As Vision-1 was launched in September 2018 together with NovaSAR, this opens significant opportunities for applications combining optical and radar satellite imagery.

    Along with Vision-1, Airbus offers commercial access to the largest fleet of Earth Observation satellites: Pléiades, SPOT 6/7, DMC Constellation and the weather-independent radar satellites TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X and PAZ.