Tag: GIS

New Trimble Products Focus on Geospatial Imagery

Trimble introduced several new products at InterGeo 2014, being held this week in Berlin, with a focus on incorporating data from photographs and imagery into geospatial databases.

Trimble also offered an expanded GNSS portfolio for surveyors that includes the Trimble NetR9 Geospatial receiver; the Trimble Geo7X with Trimble Access field software onboard; and enhanced Trimble xFill functionality that provides continuous RTK level accuracy when paired with a Trimble CenterPoint RTX subscription. The new additions offer surveyors more flexibility in the field to meet a variety of work requirements. Learn more here.

Photo: Trimble

Inpho version 6.0. Trimble announced a new version of its photogrammetric software suite, which provides highly automated workflows for photogrammetry and remote sensing professionals so they can process thousands of airborne images with high precision. Inpho version 6.0 increases efficiency by reducing project turnaround times and improves the quality of deliverables via new automated and interactive tools and satellite triangulation functionality.

A new satellite triangulation function in Inpho version 6.0 allows professionals to quickly generate deliverables from satellite imagery data and expand their capabilities, addressing the needs of industries such as environmental, forestry, agriculture and land management. Automatic tie point extraction and bundle block adjustment provides improved orientation of satellite images. The highly automated process results in a significant reduction in office processing time so projects can be delivered with quality precision in a shorter turnaround time.

Photo: Trimble

eCognition Essentials. eCognition Essentials is a new software solution for geospatial and remote sensing professionals performing land-cover mapping tasks using satellite imagery. eCognition Essentials offers an intuitive image analysis solution that allows users of all levels to quickly produce high-quality, Geographic Information System (GIS)-ready deliverables.

Leveraging core eCognition software technology, eCognition Essentials is easy to use with its simplified and intuitive interface. eCognition Essentials reduces analysis error as it applies predefined and structured rules to analyze and transform imagery data into relevant geospatial information. The new automated image analysis functions — such as image segmentation or sample-based classification — combined with a set of interactive tools for quality control offer users a streamlined workflow for quicker project turnaround times.

Trident version 7.0 is a new version of the mobile data analysis software designed to efficiently manage, interpret and extract features from digital images and point cloud data collected via land mobile systems. Enhancements in the new version significantly reduce the time required for geospatial professionals to transform land mobile sensor data into relevant geospatial information used in civil engineering, transportation and GIS mapping. In these applications, Trimble Trident can be used for surface modeling, roadway sign and pole detection, lane marking detection, edge and breakline detection, road geometry and clearance measurements.

Trident version 7.0 offers increased automation functionality to deliver results more quickly. Updated feature extraction tools within the software provide greater reliability and minimize manual editing and verification. Trident version 7.0 breakline detection routines now include a cross-sectional workflow for rapid and progressive development of supervised roadway breakline models.

Photo: Trimble

Trimble V10 Imaging Rover. The Trimble V10 is an integrated camera system that precisely captures 360-degree digital panoramic images for visual documentation and measurement of the surrounding environment. Enhancements include additional integration options and high-dynamic range (HDR) imagery. The Trimble V10 offers an accessible and efficient means of visually documenting site conditions to perform measurements in the office, produce more powerful deliverables and speed up decision making for managers on or off the site.

In addition to the R10 GNSS receiver, the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover now seamlessly integrates with Trimble’s R-Series GNSS receivers — the Trimble R8, R6 and R4 — and TSC3 controller. Through this seamless integration, geospatial professionals can easily capture high-quality, geo-referenced panoramic images to document the surroundings. Now more Trimble customers can take advantage of the Trimble V10’s powerful capabilities. In addition, a new two-piece power rod option enables easy transportation of the Trimble V10.

October 8, 2014
Sokkia Introduces NET AXII Measuring Station

Sokkia’s NET AXII.

Sokkia has released the the NET AXII, the latest in its line of high-accuracy measuring stations. Designed for precision-intensive tasks such as monitoring, bridge construction, and other highly detailed engineering projects, the NET AXII series is a fully robotic total-station solution.

The series includes the NET1 AXII and the NET05 AXII with 1-inch angle accuracy and 0.5-inch angle accuracy, respectively. “NET1 AXII is an excellent choice for long distance measurements, and NET05 AXII is a powerful solution for high-accuracy survey and construction projects,” said Brice Walker, vice president of survey sales.

“These fully robotic models offer a superior level of performance compared to conventional systems that simply lock on to the nearest targets, Walker said. “The NET AXII auto-collimation system allows the measuring station to lock on to targets that are closest to the center view of the telescope, providing long-range precision even in low-light conditions. Additionally, the exclusive Reflector Prescan technology dramatically improves setup efficiency by automatically locating approximate reflector positions, even in situations where they cannot be seen by the human eye.”

Features include Bluetooth connectivity options, an IP65 durability rating, and TSshield security and maintenance.

October 7, 2014
Topcon Announces Latest Addition to 3D Layout Line

Topcon’s LN-100W 3D positioning system.

Topcon Positioning Group announces an update to its world’s first line of 3D positioning systems designed for one-operator layout — the LN-100W. The latest model includes Bluetooth functionality.

The LN-100W is on display at InterGeo 2014, being held this week in Berlin.

“LN-100W offers an enhanced level of connectivity with the addition of Bluetooth functionality,” said Ray Kerwin, Topcon director of global surveying products. “Now operators have an additional wireless communication option that will provide greater versatility with devices such as tablets that might not be WLAN ready.

“The update exemplifies our focus on making the LN-100 as simple to use as possible,” said Kerwin. “The LN-100W offers the popular self-leveling, one-operator 3D layout features of the original model, and takes the ease-of-use a step further.”

The LN-100W is the newest of BIM (Building Information Modeling) solutions from Topcon.

Watch a video demonstration from InterGeo below.

October 7, 2014
Trimble Offers Pipeline Construction Software for Oil and Gas

The Trimble Access Pipelines launcher.

Trimble announced today an addition to its Trimble Access family of field software applications: Trimble Access Pipelines. Designed for surveyors involved in oil and gas pipeline installation, Trimble Access Pipelines addresses challenges encountered by pipeline surveyors by automating common pipeline survey tasks. The software solution saves time by simplifying attribute and inventory collection and integrating all the data into one easy-to-use data collection workflow.

The announcement was made today at InterGeo 2014, the world’s largest conference on geodesy, geoinformatics and land management.

Trimble Access Pipelines, a new addition to the ever-increasing suite of applications available for Trimble Access field software, offers a streamlined workflow for pipe inventory collection and validation, weld mapping and as-built measurements. The software significantly reduces project time and redundancies by collecting pipe attribute data, recording the relationship between welds and pipes, and electronically linking the joint attributes to measured welds. Using the application, pipeline surveyors can capture the necessary data so construction can proceed without costly delays.

The complete end-to-end solution is enabled when combining the power of Trimble Access Pipelines and Trimble Business Center. Trimble Access Pipelines can quickly generate customized reports for the tally and weld map data or the surveyed pipeline directly on the controller. All field data can be seamlessly transferred into Trimble Business Center to produce rich, complete deliverables including as-built plots using the Trimble Business Center Advanced Drafting module.

“One of the most time consuming challenges pipeline surveyors face is the collection of pipe attribution detail and recording the information with weld positions,” said Benoit Mallen, business area manager of Oil and Gas for Trimble’s Geospatial Division.”With Trimble Access Pipelines, we have leveraged Trimble’s strength in positioning technology and combined it with a workflow-specific application to create a streamlined solution that can meet the needs of geospatial professionals working in the oil and gas industry.”

Trimble Access Pipelines and Trimble Business Center Software version 3.30 are available now through Trimble’s Geospatial Distribution Channel.

A free trial of the Trimble Access Pipelines application as well as other available modules for Trimble Access are available to all existing Trimble Access users, and can be activated and installed using the Trimble Access Installation Manager. For more information on Trimble Field software, visit www.trimble.com/Survey/Field-Software.

October 7, 2014
Carlson Launches GIS360 for Android at InterGeo

Carlson GIS360 for Android, introduced at InterGeo this week in Berlin, is a mobile field GIS-GPS tool that utilizes both GIS and surveying technologies for field data collection.

“Taking advantage of the graphics processing power of Android devices, GIS360 now includes an innovative 3D viewer so the user can see data and models in 3D on site,” said David Loescher, Carlson U.K. sales director and director of GIS360 Development.

In addition to allowing field crews to navigate maps and collect and report data all in the field, GIS360 provides the data and fully rendered models of mines, earthworks and pipe networks can that can be viewed in 3D. The software’s Siteview function uses the Android devices’ built-in GPS, compass and gyros to give the user the view of the site that is in front of him.

Carlson GIS360 provides a wireless connection to any map server of choice, so users are never without a map. This saves considerable time and effort as field crews can verify that all of the data collected is accurate before leaving the site. No costly site revisits are necessary and no office work is needed.

The software’s “cloud” options mean that users’ data is always backed up with the ability to share between field and office in real-time. GIS360 goes beyond just positioning as it includes a wide range of tools for mobile workforce management, GPS data collection, tracking and asset maintenance.

Used on an Android tablet or smartphone, Carlson GIS360 for Android can take GIS data anywhere, Carlson said. The built-in GPS and compass instantly calculate what the user is looking at and then displays the data automatically.

“The GIS360 development team set out to make the collection of asset information easier and more efficient by combining the power of GIS360 with affordable Android devices,” added Loescher. “The result not only saves a lot of field time, but also makes the process far easier for everyone concerned.”

October 7, 2014
Hemisphere GNSS Offers New Survey-Grade GNSS Antennas

The A25 and A45 antennas. Photo: Hemisphere GNSS

Hemisphere GNSS has announced two low profile, multipurpose antennas that it says will exceed expectations in all GNSS applications. With unique filtering patterns and precise attention paid to mitigation of multipath and interference, the A25 and A45 antennas complement all GNSS products, from L1 GPS to multi-frequency, multi-constellation.

Both antennas are being featured at the InterGeo 2014 Conference and Trade Show in Berlin this week, at stand C2.007.

The A25 and A45 have been designed to support millimeter accuracy for land and marine applications. Both antennas support present and future GNSS signals, including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS, and Galileo. The A25 supports the previously mentioned signals at a single-frequency level, while the A45 supports these signals at a multi-frequency level.

“We’ve designed these antennas to excel in challenging environments such as near buildings or under foliage,” said Lyle Geck, senior manager of product marketing at Hemisphere GNSS. “They have superior multipath mitigation, stable phase centers and strong SNR’s, even at low elevations.”

The ruggedized housing used by both antennas is made of an aluminum base that has been pretreated for the marine environment and will withstand salt, fog, and spray. The antennas pass the two-meter pole drop test.

The A25 is a multi-GNSS precision antenna, designed for a variety of applications including GIS, single-frequency RTK positioning and navigation, and precision guidance. The A45 is a survey-grade, multi-GNSS precision antenna for a variety of applications including surveying, RTK positioning and navigation, precision guidance, and machine control.

For more information about Hemisphere GNSS’ antennas and other products, please visit www.hgnss.com/Products-Solutions.

October 7, 2014
NGA Issues Advisory Notice on Web Mercator for Mission-Critical Operations

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has issued an advisory notice on the use of Web Mercator for mission-critical operations.

The notice outlines application risks to operations and adherence to Department of Defense World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84).

“This message outlines the risks associated with the use of Web Mercator applications for DoD and GEOINT user community operations. The NGA Geomatics Office has assessed the use of Web Mercator and other non-WGS 84 spatial reference systems may cause geo-location / geo-coordinate errors up to 40,000 meters. This erroneous geospatial positioning information poses an unacceptable risk to global safety of navigation activities, and Department of Defense, intelligence community, and allied partner systems, missions, and operations that require accurate and precise positioning and navigation information. The NGA Geomatics Office reminds the community to use DoD approved World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) applications for all mission critical activities.”

Many popular commercial visualization, mapping and mobile web device applications use a Web Mercator spherical earth reference. “These applications are not an equal alternative to DoD WGS 84, as they do not provide the same geo-coordinates or geo-location accuracies,” the advisory states.

October 6, 2014
Live from InterGeo

Geospatial Solutions/GPS World staff will be reporting from InterGeo October 7-9. The massive trade show, held this year in Berlin, is considered the world’s leading conference trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. With more than 16,000 visitors from 80 countries, it is one of the key platforms for industry dialogue.

Staff members attending include GPS World Editor and Publisher Alan Cameron, Survey/GIS Editor Eric Gakstatter, and Digital Editor Joelle Harms. All three are accepting meeting invitations for companies interested in discussing their products and services. Contact [email protected].

VIDEOS

Supergeo Technologies, Inc., chats with Eric Gakstatter, GPS World and Geospatial Solutions contributing editor, about its different GIS solutions for worldwide users.

PHOTOS

BLOGS

InterGeo: The Worldwide GIS Showcase (09/25/14)

NEWS

Sokkia Introduces NET AXII Measuring Station (10/07/2014)

Topcon Announces Latest Addition to 3D Layout Line (10/07/2014)

Trimble Offers Expanded GNSS Portfolio for Surveyors (10/07/2014)

Trimble Offers Pipeline Construction Software for Oil and Gas (10/07/2014)

Carlson Software Introduces Surveyor2 Data Collector at InterGeo (10/07/14)

Carlson Launches GIS360 for Android at InterGeo (10/07/14)

Hemisphere GNSS Offers New Survey-Grade GNSS Antennas (10/07/14)

Applanix Offers Single-Board GNSS-Inertial System for UAV Mapping (10/07/14)

Icaros to Unveil Versatile Nadir/Oblique Aerial Mapping System at InterGeo (10/03/14)

InterGeo Event Considers Land Management Challenges (10/03/14)

Trend- and Media-Forum at InterGeo Features Innovation, China (10/03/14)

Juniper System, Soil Instruments Partner on Geotechnical Monitoring (10/03/14)

Oxford Technical Solutions Launches Board Set for System Integrators (10/03/14)

Orbit GT Showcases UAS Mapping Pro at InterGeo (10/03/14)

Icaros to Demonstrate Measuring Tool for Oblique Imagery at InterGeo (09/24/14)

EUROGI Conference to Be Held in Conjunction with InterGeo (08/11/14)

Join Us for Our Post-Show Webinar

New Product Trends in UAV, Survey, Mapping, and Geospatial Data Collection and Analysis
InterGeo Post-Show Report

Thursday, October 16, 10 a.m. PDT/ 1 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. GMT

Summary: UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) are taking over the surveying industry, thanks to their ever-improving sensors and the fact that they are getting lighter and can therefore remain in the air for longer. They complete surveying and inspection tasks that would otherwise be difficult to tackle, and do so with impressive cost-efficiency. UAV trends and technology will be among the focal points at the InterGeo conference in Berlin in early October.

Our correspondents will return with a fresh report, moderated by GPS World Editor and Publisher Alan Cameron and Survey Scene Editor Eric Gakstatter.

Register for free!

October 6, 2014
Icaros to Unveil Versatile Nadir/Oblique Aerial Mapping System at InterGeo

Icaros, Inc., a provider of aerial remote sensing and 3D visualization solutions, will unveil the IDM 1000 digital oblique mapping system next week at the 2014 InterGeo Conference in Germany. The versatile Icaros Digital Mapper (IDM) 1000 combines a high-accuracy photogrammetric nadir camera with four high-quality oblique sensors in a modular airborne imaging package.

“Icaros developed the IDM 1000 for mapping organizations that want to maximize their investment in an aerial sensor system,” said Tom Bosanko, CEO of Icaros. “The IDM 1000 can be configured to meet the geospatial application needs of traditional photogrammetric imaging as well as 3D oblique mapping, all in one flexible system.”

Icaros will display the IDM 1000 in booth #A4.009 Hall 4.1 at the InterGeo Conference and Trade Fair being held in Berlin October 7-9.

The modular IDM 1000 package is built around the IDM 200 nadir camera with a new mount supporting up to four 45-degree oblique sensors. The standard IDM 1000 configuration includes an 80-megapixel (MP) nadir natural-color (RGB) sensor, four 36-MP oblique RGB sensors, modular mount, embedded GPS/INS, flight planning and management system, and the Icaros Photogrammetric Suite (IPS) of software tools.

“Clients have the option of purchasing the IDM 1000 as a complete solution,” said Bosanko. “Or they can buy and operate the IDM 200 as a stand-alone unit and add the oblique cameras and mount later as their mapping offerings expand to include 3D modeling and oblique visualization.”

The IDM camera family offers eight sensor-design alternatives, including near infrared and thermal infrared imaging. Each IDM camera delivers sub-pixel accuracy, high-dynamic range and true-color pixel collection. Depending on altitude, the pixel GSD ranges from 1 cm to 100 cm in nadir or oblique operations. The IDM 1000 can be flown on rotor or fixed wing aircraft and modified for flight on some UAVs.

Aerial oblique imagery is used extensively in tax appraisal and assessment, and its applications are expanding rapidly into facility management, infrastructure monitoring, building energy audits, public safety and other GIS markets that benefit from creation of accurate 3D models and elevation data sets. The IDM 1000 is considered ideal to serve in the energy, utility, oil & gas, mining, urban development, security and defense markets.

“The IDM 1000 package includes all of the software needed to process nadir and oblique imagery and perform advanced photogrammetric measurements,” said Bosanko. “The new Icaros Measurement Tool (IMT) is included.”

The IMT is a universal oblique measurement tool. It enables customers working within Esri’s GIS environment to view and measure structures in oblique aerial imagery captured by any commercial oblique sensor system, including those from Pictometry, Vexcel/Microsoft, IGI, Leica, and Midas. IMT works equally well measuring images captured by oblique sensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

As GIS users continue the move to 3D, oblique imagery will be critical for constructing accurate image-based realistic 3D models. IMT enables users to manipulate and view oblique imagery while leveraging other geospatial data layers within their GIS environment. This capability allows users to navigate multi-image scenes in three dimensions while zooming and panning.

The IMT software will also be demonstrated in the Icaros booth at InterGEO.

October 3, 2014
Geospatial Solutions Staff to Report from InterGeo

GPS World/Geospatial Solutions staff will be reporting from InterGeo October 7-9. The massive trade show, held this year in Berlin, is considered the world’s leading conference trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. With more than 16,000 visitors from 80 countries, it is one of the key platforms for industry dialogue.

Staff members attending include GPS World Editor and Publisher Alan Cameron, Survey/GIS Editor Eric Gakstatter, and Digital Editor Joelle Harms. All three are accepting meeting invitations for companies interested in discussing their products and services. Contact [email protected].

October 3, 2014
Trend- and Media-Forum at InterGeo Features Innovation, China

The Trend- and Media-Forum at InterGeo 2014, held October 7-9 in Berlin, showcases international trends and visionary presentations. Highlights include the daily JobSHAKER career event and the first cooperation with Chinese media platform 3sNews.

The InterGeo Trend- and Media-Forum works with renowned companies and publishing houses to explore interdisciplinary questions and initiate dialogue and debate. With a range of presentations, workshops, award ceremonies and panels, the forum is a catalyst for innovation and drives trends. The presentations focus on topics such as business processes involving geointelligence, UAVs, mobile solutions, cloud environments, 3D applications and e-government strategies.

JobSHAKER. In 2014, the topics of careers and young professionals will once again be at the heart of the InterGeo Trend- and Media-Forum. The well-established JobSHAKER career event brings together InterGeo employers and jobseekers. Attractive employers such as Leica Geosystems, Trimble Germany, Riegl Laser Measurement Systems, ALLSAT and the German armed forces use the Trend- and Media-Forum to showcase job opportunities and career profiles in their particular field. Conversations and discussions are very much encouraged at this event. JobSHAKER will take place daily from 12:30 to 2 p.m. as part of the Trend- and Media-Forum at InterGeo.

Dialogue with China. In a highlight of this year’s Trend- and Media-Forum, China will be entering into dialogue with the rest of the world. Gold media partner 3sNews, one of the largest media platforms for geoinformation in China, will be present. Sarah Long from 3sNews describes the significance of this cooperation with InterGeo: “We are looking forward to innovative, highly developed products and inspiring presentations, and plan to establish partnerships for the future. As the world’s largest and most influential exhibition for the geoinformation industry, InterGeo is an absolute must for us. It’s an opportunity for us to find out all the latest news and communicate it to China — our news about InterGeo will be broadcast throughout the world.”

GSS at InterGeo. GPS World/GSS staff will be reporting from InterGeo October 7-9. The massive trade show, held this year in Berlin, is considered the world’s leading conference trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. With more than 16,000 visitors from 80 countries, it is one of the key platforms for industry dialogue. Staff members attending include GPS World Editor and Publisher Alan Cameron, Survey/GIS Editor Eric Gakstatter, and Digital Editor Joelle Harms. All three are accepting meeting invitations for companies interested in discussing their products and services. Contact [email protected].

October 3, 2014
InterGeo Event Considers Land Management Challenges
Housing shortages and rising property prices in urban areas, depopulation and energy revolution in rural areas — the contrasts couldn’t be greater. On Thursday, October 9, land management experts will come together at InterGeo to discuss key issues and potential solutions.

“The key to making rural areas viable in the long term is to work together. Citizen participation, shared usage strategies, cooperation between municipalities — boundaries are disappearing and it’s land development that makes this possible,” said Hartmut Alker, chair of the Federal and State Working Group on Sustainable Land Development.

In this context, the conference at InterGeo focuses on four major themes:
- Flood prevention using land management strategies.
- Housing shortages in urban areas, taking into account socially progressive land use and forward-looking area management.
- Competition for land during the energy revolution as a political issue and a challenge to engineers to find compatible and compensatory solutions.
- The future of rural areas is a broad topic that examines the “successful shrinking” and successful development of villages and rural areas.
“Developing strategies for the future of rural areas in the context of demographic change is of fundamental importance for Germany as a successful business hub. However, it is not yet given sufficient priority within society,” said Martina Klärle, executive director of FFin – Frankfurter Forschungsinstitut.

At the event, exhibitors will showcase a broad portfolio of tools and solutions for land management. Planning software, 3D simulations and high-resolution remote sensing data are prime examples of geodetic services in this field.

GSS at InterGeo. GPS World/GSS staff will be reporting from InterGeo October 7-9. The massive trade show, held this year in Berlin, is considered the world’s leading conference trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. With more than 16,000 visitors from 80 countries, it is one of the key platforms for industry dialogue. Staff members attending include GPS World Editor and Publisher Alan Cameron, Survey/GIS Editor Eric Gakstatter, and Digital Editor Joelle Harms. All three are accepting meeting invitations for companies interested in discussing their products and services. Contact [email protected].
October 3, 2014