GPS World

Tag: imagery

  • Teledyne Optech coastal and ocean monitoring helps with disasters

    Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar System (CZMIL) to be shared at conferences as a critical rapid environmental assessment tool for both natural and manmade disasters

    Teledyne Optech’s Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar (CZMIL) system is a critical rapid environmental assessment tool for monitoring natural and man-made disasters. From detecting sewage pipe leaks, mapping oil slicks and measuring coastline changes after hurricanes, to counting underwater debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, CZMIL excels at identifying and monitoring oceanic environmental changes, especially in emergency scenarios.

    • At the Oceans ’17 MTS/IEEE conference in Aberdeen, Scotland, Senior Scientist Viktor Feygels will present “CZMIL as a Rapid Environmental Disaster Response Tool.” Using case studies from CZMIL and its predecessor systems, Feygels will describe four distinct applications of Teledyne Optech lidar bathymeters. Attendees can catch this presentation in Room 15 on June 21 at 12:10 p.m.
    • Research Scientist Hieu Duong and Marine Business Manager Bob Marthouse will present “Small-Object Detection using Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar (CZMIL)” at the Teledyne CARIS International User Group Conference in Ottawa, Canada. Conference attendees can hear about these applications on Thursday, June 22, 10:05 am, in the Rideau Room.

    “CZMIL has proved to be ideally suited for rapid environmental assessment and small-object detection,” said Bob Marthouse. “Both the upcoming MTS/IEEE Oceans ‘17 conference and the recent United Nations Ocean Conference during the week of June 5 underline the urgent requirement to more critically monitor our oceans and coastlines. At Teledyne Optech, we were pleased to be part of this ongoing effort.”

  • Leica Geosystems’ 3D imaging laser scanner comes to Europe

    The BLK360 is now available for reservation in Europe.
    The BLK360 is now available for reservation in Europe.

    Leica Geosystems’ BLK360 miniaturized 3D imaging laser scanner is now available for reservation within Europe, for delivery in summer. The laser scanner simplifies the collection of as-built reality capture data for work in architecture, design, construction and engineering among other vertical markets.

    The Leica BLK360 is an easy-to-use and powerful reality-capture solution that enables professionals to capture 360-degree HDR spherical imagery within minutes. Users place the lightweight BLK360 on a level surface or tripod and, with the push of a button, it captures 360-degree HDR spherical imagery and takes a 360,000 point per second laser scan.

    The BLK360 features +-4 mm accuracy at 10 meters and an overall 0.6–60-meter range. Within three minutes, the spherical image and laser scan is completed and ready to view in the Autodesk ReCap Pro for mobile app, which runs on an iPad Pro. From there, users can take measurements, add markup and annotations or share onsite data with their colleagues back in the office.

    “If you’ve ever relied on pencil and paper, tape measures, or other laser measuring devices to capture a room’s dimensions and images, you know that there’s always redundancy and missed measurements,” said Steven Gross, architectural engineer, Valley Home Improvement. “With the BLK360 those issues disappear. Everything is captured on the first visit, which streamlines the process, saving us enormous amounts of time. Not to mention that it makes us look that much more professional to our clients.”

    “The BLK360 brings together exclusive technologies to deliver outstanding performance, all while simplifying the process of 3D image scanning and reality capture through the touch of a single button,” said Burkhard Boeckem, CTO, Leica Geosystems. “This has enabled us to create new opportunities for scanning experts and introduce entirely new audiences to laser scanning while uncovering possibilities that were previously unimaginable.”

    The BLK360 has already earned several prestigious industry awards including the PRISM Award for Photonics, iF Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award, and the Geospatial World Innovation Award, and was also a CES Innovation Award nominee.

  • Fugro partners with Skyline on oblique imagery, 3D modeling

    Fugro is enhancing its mapping services with the introduction of an integrated software package that creates realistic, yet spatially accurate, high-resolution 3D building models using oblique imagery.

    The product will benefit emergency responders during critical infrastructure planning, as well as those involved in infrastructure development, utilities and property management.

    Fugro, partnering with Skyline Software Systems, Inc., provides infrastructure management professionals with robust new capabilities in oblique mapping, including detailed 3D models and view shed studies for advanced visualization and analysis.
    Fugro, partnering with Skyline Software Systems, provides infrastructure management professionals with robust new capabilities in oblique mapping, including detailed 3D models and view shed studies for advanced visualization and analysis.

    Announcing a strategic partnership with Skyline Software Systems Inc., Mike Wernau, Fugro’s Oblique program manager explained, “We are now able to take a 2D oblique product and deliver a realistic 3D environment with enhanced viewing, query, analysis and reporting options. The value that users are going to discover as a result of this software fusion is something the market has really never seen before.”

    The new partnership offers clients an integrated oblique viewing and 3D modeling software. The integration of TerraExplorer and PX Mapper transforms the application of 3D environments by using 2D oblique imagery to create high-resolution building models that are both realistic and spatially accurate.

    Fugro’s oblique mapping solution includes high-resolution 360-degree oblique imagery and the PX Mapper visualization and analysis software. The Fugro/Skyline alliance allows oblique customers to experience Skyline’s automated modeling technology along with TerraExplorer’s optimized analytics capabilities including terrain analysis for flooding, contours, slope and volume metrics, lines of sight and view shed queries and shadow analysis.

    “By combining oblique imagery with our high-quality 3D modeling tool and integrating those models with the unlimited capabilities of TerraExplorer Pro, we’ve created the optimal environment for GIS infrastructure,” said Eatay Ben Shechter, director of production at Skyline. “This versatile product supports countless real-world applications, where time-critical decision making is required, from urban planning to real-estate management, and multiple different emergency response scenarios.”

    A flagship project employing this integrated 3D environment is already underway with completion in Summer 2017.

  • Boundless partners with Planet to expand image access

    Boundless, an open GIS company, has announced a strategic partnership with Planet, the integrated aerospace and data-analytics company that operates history’s largest fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. The partnership enables Boundless customers to access the massive library of high-quality Planet imagery and fast-loading imagery basemaps within Boundless Connect.

    Starting today, Boundless Desktop users can access this content through the Boundless Connect plugin. Planet content is also accessible through Boundless Suite and Exchange subscriptions.

    “This partnership significantly advances the content available through Boundless Connect, and expands our ability to provide high-quality imagery to Boundless users,” said Anthony Calamito, vice president of product for Boundless. “This represents a major step forward in providing our growing user base with valuable insights through Planet’s content. We are excited about this partnership and all the capabilities that will be delivered to our users, now and in the future.”

    A Planet image of Bingham Canyon Mine, Salt Lake County, Utah, taken March 10, 2013.
    A Planet image of Bingham Canyon Mine, Salt Lake County, Utah, taken March 10, 2013.

    The partnership with Planet will provide access to:

    • Basemaps – Automated basemaps optimized for clear seasonal coverage, completeness and visual quality, perfect for map backdrops. In addition, quarterly or monthly timelapse basemaps gives users access to the latest imagery.
    • Image Tiles from PlanetScope – 4-band (RGB and NIR) imagery for visual or analytic use.
    • Image Tiles from RapidEye – 5-band (RGB, NIR, and Red Edge) imagery for visual and analytic use.

    “This partnership is a huge step forward in delivering the most extensive and up-to-date satellite imagery catalog and basemaps to the broader geospatial community,” said Alex Bakir, vice president of product marketing for Planet. “Boundless’ open, flexible platform pairs perfectly with Planet’s data and platform services, and gives Boundless users the tools and content needed to integrate seamlessly into their workflows. We are very excited to be working with Boundless and look forward to what is to come.”

    Boundless-Planet-3-W

    Boundless offers an open GIS ecosystem through a combination of technology, products and experts that gives enterprises deeper intelligence and insights using location-based data.

    The Boundless platform is built upon open source technology and open APIs that generate actionable location intelligence across third-party apps, content services and plugins for enterprise applications.

    In November 2016, the company extended its proven GIS platform with Boundless Connect, a subscription service to the most comprehensive repository of GIS resources, and Boundless Desktop, a full-featured, professional desktop GIS, bringing a powerful ecosystem of geospatial knowledge, tools and resources to the enterprise.

  • USGS proposed budget focuses on core science and efficiency

    President Donald Trump has proposed a $922.2 million Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) budget for the U.S. Geological Survey. The proposed FY18 request reflects a savings of $137.8 million in appropriated funds from the FY 2017 CR baseline and a continued commitment to the bureau’s core mission.

    The USGS proposed budget provides science support for disaster alerts and rapid response, producing high-resolution geospatial data, addressing new and emerging invasive species and disease, tackling water challenges and supporting development for the Landsat 9 satellite ground system.

    According to a USGS press release, the request ensures that the USGS will continue to focus on conducting leading-edge research and providing impartial scientific data to key stakeholders and decision-makers to help promote stewardship of public lands and waters and protect the health, safety and prosperity of the nation.

     

    The USGS will also conduct work on environmental impacts of resource extraction and understanding how mineral resources interact with the environment to affect human and ecosystem health.

    The agency will also continue to develop and apply new methods to forecast, detect and understand health implications of toxins produced by harmful algal blooms. Additionally, the USGS will continue research to understand contaminants and pathogens related to drinking waters.

    The USGS budget also places strong emphasis on assessing the occurrence, quality, supply and use of energy and critical mineral resources. The FY18 budget request for the USGS Energy and Minerals Resources Mission Area is $74.4 million.

    The agency will continue to assess energy resources and provide publicly available scientific data and tools to inform energy policy discussions as well as to support science-based decisions that facilitate responsible resource management, including oil, gas, coal, geothermal, uranium and gas hydrate energy resource activities. This request will also allow the USGS to focus on understanding the genesis and distribution of the nation’s critical mineral resources, particularly in Alaska, mid-continent and southeast regions of the United States.

    The USGS FY 2018 Budget Justification is available here, and additional details on the President’s FY 2018 Budget are available on the department’s website.

  • Taoglas launches street-view-ready GPS performance certification services

    Taoglas launches street-view-ready GPS performance certification services

    Taoglas, a provider of Internet of Things (IoT) and GNSS antenna products, has released two new GPS certification testing services for Google and its device partners. The services are required for devices to meet Google’s new Street View auto-ready standard.

    Auto-ready certification distinguishes 360-degree cameras that deliver accurately positioned 360 video, even at high speeds. Taoglas worked with Google to develop the performance requirements, as well as the test methodology used to establish a basic minimum level of GPS receiver performance.

    The services are available at any of Taoglas’ design centers and labs in the United States, Ireland, Germany and Taiwan.

    Compact wireless devices such as digital cameras with built-in GPS receiver systems contain complex electronic systems that can emit unwanted RF signals that can impact radio receiver performance. The effect of this RF noise can be combated with critical design decisions like the antenna, low noise amplifier, filters, and transmission line choice and implementation.

    Taoglas’ new services will help device manufacturers objectively measure real-world performance to understand any GPS performance issues with their products. With this information, product manufacturers will know if their performance is optimized and will meet or exceed user expectation for the application at hand, as well as how it compares with their competitors.

    “Google Street View provides people with a 360-degree view of the world, and to enable these services, we require highly accurate location data,” said Charles Armstrong, product manager at Google. “By working with Taoglas to establish a standardized compliance process, we’re helping device manufacturers understand our requirements for GPS performance and quickly deliver products that match and exceed those high performance standards.”

    Taoglas is offering two levels of certification testing:

    Street View Auto-Ready Conformance Testing (GSA.31) provides a quick verification of minimum performance (in a pass/fail manner) required to achieve Street View certification. Taoglas uses its GPS constellation simulator and anechoic chamber to verify that radiated tracking and acquisition sensitivity meet a minimum performance standard at 15-degree intervals in one hemisphere.

    From these test results, manufacturers will be able to clearly see if the device’s GPS is performing adequately for basic location capabilities. The condensed period needed to run this test provides device manufacturers the best value to answer the question, “Is the GPS working optimally?”

    A street view image of Guatemala. (Credit: Google)

    Street View Auto-Ready Performance Testing (GSA.32) provides an absolute level of testing to assess the GPS receiver performance according to the optional Google Street View Assessment test procedures.

    Taoglas uses its GPS constellation simulator and anechoic chamber to measure radiated tracking and acquisition sensitivity at 15-degree intervals in one hemisphere. These optional tests provide more insight into how well a device performs, providing absolute receive sensitivity performance data.

    Testing results for both services include suggestions on next steps to resolve identified issues.

    “This partnership with Google to deliver GPS testing solutions for Google Street View compliance is an excellent example of how we’re working successfully with the world’s biggest companies to delivering high-quality, reliable antenna solutions,” said Dermot O’Shea, co-CEO of Taoglas. “By certifying their products through Taoglas, device manufacturers will also be able to take advantage of Taoglas’ deep RF expertise, achieving success quickly and reducing time to market.”

    “Street view” of the Ambrym Volcano, Vanuatu. (Credit: Google)

  • Copernicus Masters triples prize pool for 2017 innovations

    Copernicus-Masters-2017-W

    This year’s edition of the Copernicus Masters — Europe’s innovation competition for Earth observation (EO) — offers a prize pool of more than €1.5 million.

    In addition, the European Space Agency (ESA) is opening the competition to upstream entries with its Sentinel Small Sat (S^3) Challenge.

    The European Commission (EC) is hosting a total of six challenges thatenrich the overall Copernicus Masters prize portfolio.

    Moreover, the EO innovation competition is now accompanied by dedicated Associated Regions that highlight its European regional dimension.

    Finally, the Overall Winner will be invited to attend the satellite launch of ADM-Aeolus in Kourou, as well as receiving a cash prize.

    Open to future-oriented teams and individuals from business, research and higher education, the Copernicus Masters is the largest international competition in the commercial use of Earth observation data. The competition is in search of outstanding ideas, applications and business concepts that make use of bespoke information in everyday life.

    June 30 is the submission deadline.

    “We’re very proud to have seen the Copernicus Masters develop into one of the innovation drivers for Earth observation in the last years,” said Josef Aschbacher, director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes. “The launches of additional Sentinel satellites will continuously boost the commercialization of related services.”

    ESA Makes the Copernicus Masters Go Upstream

    ESA has annually provided a challenge since the competition’s initiation. The 2017 challenge is the next level of growth.

    The winner of the Sentinel Small Sat (S^3) Challenge will be awarded EUR 1 million for the design and development of the mission, and shall be provided with a launch service free of charge. In addition, the winner will receive EUR 10,000 cash prize.

    The goal of this challenge is to stimulate ground-breaking satellite design, testing and manufacturing solutions leading to small missions complementary, or providing added value to current Sentinel family missions.

    Six Additional EC Challenges

    The EC is deeply involved in the Copernicus Masters with six new EC Challenges. Each challenge is topic-specific: sustainable development, government, big data, B2B, Copernicus services and security. The winner will be rewarded with a cash prize of EUR 5,000.

    Moreover, the winner will benefit from a substantial satellite data quota worth the same value. These new features powered by the EC complement the EC program Copernicus Accelerator. The top 50 entrants of the Copernicus Masters have the opportunity to join the Copernicus Accelerator — a tailored business coaching service.

    “The popularity of the Copernicus Accelerator program results mainly from its unique characteristic: involving future-oriented entrepreneurs as mentees and high-level professionals as mentors,” said Philippe Brunet, director of Aerospace, Maritime, Security and Defence Industries, EC. “The perfect interaction between these two core assets of the tailored business coaching service is what makes this EC programme so unique.”

    With support from its international network, the Copernicus Masters aids participants in realizing their applications and business models. This year’s edition once again features challenges and corresponding prizes to be awarded by a series of prominent partners, including ESA, the EC, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Stevenson Astrosat Ltd., Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd., CGI, and the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

    The University Challenge, meanwhile, is geared specifically towards students and research employees. The topics addressed by these challenges will include innovative uses of Earth observation data in the fields of upstream services, energy, health and the environment, disaster management, sustainable living, big data, digital transportation, and smart cities.

    Copernicus Masters Value Chain Boosts Sinergise to Next Level

    Sinergise is a significant startup that experienced a major boost through winning the Copernicus Masters and being part of the Copernicus Accelerator 2016. The Sinergise story showcases how smart use of big data from space enables new types of business.

    Before submitting their idea to the Copernicus Masters in 2016, the Sinergise team already had a working solution, but only very few users. “Becoming the Overall Winner of the competition and benefitting from the follow-up coaching service provided by Francesco Liucci from Catapult, within the Copernicus Accelerator framework, helped us to boost our idea even further and to gain confidence from experts worldwide,” said Grega Milcinski, CEO of Sinergise. The company’s newly released EO Browser has the impressive number of 1.1 million processed requests by nearly 12,000 users.

    Europe’s Leading Earth Observation Innovation Competition

    Since 2011, the Copernicus Masters competition has evolved into the leading innovation platform for promoting user uptake of Earth observation data in a commercial and societal context. “The Copernicus Masters scouts and showcases new ideas and trends each year,” said Thorsten Rudolph, managing director, AZO. “Put into figures, the competition already selected a total of 50 winners from among more than 1,200 entrants from 50 different countries, who have submitted over 900 cutting-edge business ideas. Each year, we are honored to have Europe’s most renowned space stakeholders host their own prizes in topic-specific Challenges.”

    Along with cash prizes, the winners will receive access to an international network, corresponding data, startup funding and other support valued at more than EUR 1.5 million in total.

    For all of the details on this year’s prizes, partners and terms of participation, visit the Copernicus Masters website.

  • Esri Story Map shows how US infrastructure needs serious work

    On March 9, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, giving the United States a D+ grade. Mapping company Esri has created a Story Map to help put the infrastructure issues into context.

    The Esri Story Map “A Network Derailed” presents a comprehensive overview and analysis of all major transportation infrastructure systems and networks, including highways, bridges, railroads, ports, waterways and airports. Using interactive maps, users can pan and zoom to areas of interest.

    The latest authoritative data is incorporated, including the ASCE report card and the 2016 National Bridge Inventory released in earlier this year. The story also cites the latest figures from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Congress and the Trump administration.

    Some interesting facts:

    • In 2016, 47 percent of urban interstate vehicle miles traveled were over structurally deficient pavement.
    • The 10 worst trucking chokepoints for 2016 are displayed on the map (Atlanta, New York, and Chicago).
    • Bridges are scaled according to truck traffic and colored according to their structural status. Individual bridges are indicated.
    • Viewing rail bridges illuminates the fragility of the transportation system — one untimely bridge collapse could bring the regional rail system to a halt with few alternative routes.
    • The 50 busiest airports in the U.S. by total cargo landed can be viewed.

    Infrastructure-Esri-O

    Media: Esri

     

  • Black Swift summits extreme altitude mapping test with small UAV

    Crisp orthophotos map 300 acres with sUAS flying over 14,000 feet

    Overcoming the challenges of mapping terrain in difficult conditions at altitudes exceeding 14,000 feet using a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS), Black Swift Technologies demonstrated that a sUAS can successfully be deployed at extreme altitudes.

    Black Swift Technologies (BST), a specialized engineering firm based in Boulder, Colorado, was able to obtain geo-referenced digital aerial images with detailed actionable information, obtained cost-effectively without concern for a surveyor’s well being or equipment malfunctions.

    Using BST’s SwiftTrainer, a turnkey sUAS flight system designed specifically for GIS mapping applications, BST captured millions of data points in a fully autonomous flight over Colorado’s Mount Evans. The geotagged images were easily integrated into processing software, resulting in an accurate 3D orthomosaic (a highly detailed map in true scale).

    “Surveyors have been using sUAS in place of more expensive manned aerial missions for quite some time now,” said Jack Elston, Ph.D., CEO of Black Swift Technologies. “Being able to demonstrate that a sUAS can be an effective and accurate mapping platform in areas inaccessible to vehicles or at extreme altitudes solidifies the added value surveyors can offer their clients.”

    Using BST’s own Mission Planning Software, surveyors can program the SwiftTrainer in minutes to calculate the area under review and then begin collecting data for immediate analysis and decision making. Leveraging an intuitive tab-driven interface, flight planning is simple and easy to accomplish. Mission monitoring and mapping is all done from a handheld Android Tablet loaded with BST’s SwiftTab software. Intuitive gesture-based controls enable users to confidently deploy their SwiftTrainer with minimal training while being able to collect data over geography that is topically diverse with confidence.

    Unlike other sUAS offerings that cobble together hardware and software from a variety of sources to assemble their solutions, BST’s aerospace and software engineers designed the hardware, flight management system, and essential software from the ground up. This unified, fully integrated approach ensures that users have the right airframe and sensor suite to address their specific application requirements without compromise.

  • Sentinel-2B satellite launched for Europe’s Copernicus program

    Artist's rendering of Sentinel-2B.
    Artist’s rendering of Sentinel-2B.

    The Sentinel-2B satellite was launched for the European Commission on Monday, March 6, at 10:49 p.m. local time from the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

    Following the successful launches of Sentinel-1A, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-1B, the mission with Sentinel-2B marks the fourth satellite in the European Commission’s Copernicus Earth observation program to be orbited by Arianespace from the Guiana Space Center, within the scope of a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).

    The Sentinel-2B Earth observation satellite mainly focuses on monitoring land masses and coastal zones around the world. It will be positioned in an orbit opposite that of Sentinel-2A to ensure optimum coverage and data delivery. The pair of Sentinel-2 satellites will cover the Earth’s entire surface in five days. This high frequency means they will capture brand-new views of the Earth, driving considerable progress in monitoring and predicting changes in vegetation and aquatic pollution.

    Sentinel-2B combines a multispectral, wide-swath, very-high-resolution optical imaging instrument with a dedicated platform developed by Airbus, a long-standing partner to Arianespace. It is the 61st Earth observation satellite to be launched by Arianespace.

    ESA’s Sentinel program includes six families of satellites:

    • Sentinel-1 will ensure data continuity with the ERS and Envisat radar satellites.
    • Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 are designed to help provide a better understanding of how climate change impacts our daily lives.
    • Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 are dedicated to meteorology and climatology, with a special focus on studying the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere.
    • Sentinel-6 will measure ocean topography, mainly for operational oceanography and climatology.

    This was the third launch of the year for Arianespace and the first in 2017 with the Vega light launcher. It also marked the ninth successful launch in a row for Vega, which made its debut at the Guiana Space Center in 2012.

  • Trump administration proposes slashing NOAA funding

    Hurricane Fran at peak intensity on Sept.4, 1996. (Image: NOAA)
    Hurricane Fran at peak intensity on Sept.4, 1996. (Image: NOAA)

    The Washington Post reported March 3 that the Trump administration proposes slashing the budget of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by 17 percent, cutting steeply into climate change research funding and satellite programs.

    The Post cited a four-page budget memo it obtained. In the memo, NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research would lose $126 million, or 26 percent, of its funding, while NOAA’s satellite data division would lose $513 million, or 22 percent, of its funding.

    The proposed cuts to NOAA would also eliminate funding for f smaller programs, including external research, coastal management, estuary reserves and “coastal resilience,” which seeks to bolster the ability of coastal areas to withstand major storms and rising seas.

    NOAA is part of the Commerce Department, which would be hit by an overall 18 percent budget reduction from its current funding level.

  • Sokkia releases CX series total station

    Sokkia-cx60-gallery04Sokkia announces the release of the CX-60 total station in the Americas with upgraded data transfer and storage options for the series. Featuring RED-tech reflectorless capabilities, the new CX-60 is designed to provide an entry-level solution with a fast and powerful EDM.

    “The CX-60’s RED-tech technology reflectorless EDM offers a fast distance measurement of 0.9 seconds,” said Ray Kerwin, director of global surveying products. “The instrument also offers a new USB option for quick and easy data transfer, along with 2- and 5-arc second accuracies ideal for land surveying, topography, construction layout, foundations and exterior job sites as well as as-built projects.”

    RED-tech technology allows the total stations to operate reflectorlessly with an EDM of up to 350 m or 4000 m with a prism.

    The CX-60 instruments offer optional Bluetooth functionality, providing connectivity of up to 10 meters (32 ft.) with controllers.

    Additional features include 10,000 points of memory, a battery life of up to 15 hours, dual axis compensation, a waterproof design, and a laser pointer.