The AsteRx EB offers high-accuracy positioning and GNSS heading for industrial robots, port logistics, marine and scalable automation applications. Its IP67 enclosure protects the receiver from harsh weather conditions, while built-in advanced GNSS+ algorithms ensure reliable operation in environments challenging for GNSS, such as areas with foliage or near GNSS interference sources. The RAIM+ integrity monitoring system ensures truthful positioning — essential for autonomous navigation. The compact enclosure of AsteRx EB enables easy installation, reducing time-to-market. In a dual-antenna configuration, AsteRx EB delivers sub-degree GNSS heading for systems that require orientation in addition to RTK positioning. The built-in AIM+ anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology protects the receiver from intentional or unintentional GNSS interference.
The Facet FP is a high-precision GNSS receiver designed to deliver centimeter-level accuracy with a focus on long-term flexibility, ease of use and open-source innovation. It combines multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS support with fully open-source firmware — the platform can adapt as technologies advance. Built to last, all models are contained in a robust waterproof cast-aluminum housing, with an internal structure designed for compatibility with the company’s Flex system of GNSS modules. This gives users the choice between three different modules, plus the choice of having tilt-compensation, offering six different options with a range of price points, securities and accuracies for various needs and applications.
The A65 GNSS antenna delivers exceptional accuracy, interference protection and robust GNSS tracking performance. Designed as a drop-in replacement for the widely deployed A45 antenna, the A65 offers users a seamless upgrade path to the latest precision technology. The industry collaboration reflects a shared focus on combining advanced RF design with real-world application insight to address increasingly complex GNSS operating environments, with both teams working closely from the earliest stages of development to meet demanding original equipment manufacturer (OEM) performance requirements. The antenna architecture, including the stacked patch quad feed element and RF front end, provides Calian’s XF Filtering. Hemisphere GNSS contributed application expertise, system integration requirements and performance validation within real-world machine control, agriculture, marine and survey environments.
Airborne Lidar
Long-range for UAV mapping and aerial surveillance
AlphaAir 6 is mounted on the X500 UAV during an urban mapping mission. (Credit: CHC Navgation)
The AlphaAir 6 airborne lidar system is designed for UAV-based laser scanning, drone lidar mapping and aerial surveying in high-relief and complex terrain. Combining prism scanning technology with a high-grade inertial navigation system (INS), the AlphaAir 6 delivers a maximum ranging capability of up to 2,100 m and supports efficient data capture at typical flight altitudes of 400 m to 600 m above ground level. It integrates an upgraded laser engine and a high-grade IMU with 0.3°/h bias stability to improve trajectory accuracy and point cloud quality. This design removes the need for pre-mission IMU calibration and supports stable, efficient data collection for topographic mapping, corridor mapping, and wide-area aerial survey workflows. It is available in single-camera and dual-camera configurations.
The FastXY mapping application for iOS and Android enables standard mobile devices to serve as professional-grade data-collection tools for geospatial information system (GIS) and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals. FastXY allows users to collect point, line and polygon data with devices they already own. It delivers advanced capabilities including 3D basemaps, construction staking, topographic surveying, on-the-fly datum transformations, and survey-grade elevations. A built-in Bluetooth data parser allows users to configure the app to collect data from any instrument supporting BLE Bluetooth or RS-232 — echosounders, radiation sensors, laser rangefinders, barcode scanners — and marry that data with precise GNSS coordinates.
Visual localization is widely used as a low-cost solution for autonomous driving, robotics, and mobile navigation. However, monocular systems remain vulnerable to illumination changes, weak texture, occlusion, motion blur and long-term drift.
Existing map-based methods can reduce that drift by aligning camera observations with a prebuilt global map, yet many still struggle with redundant computation, weak cross-modal matching between camera images and point clouds, and optimization errors in large-scale or repetitive scenes.
The challenge is especially important for lightweight platforms that cannot afford onboard lidar, inertial measurement unit (IMU) and heavy computing. Because of these problems, deeper research is needed on camera-only map-based localization that can stay accurate, efficient and stable in complex real-world environments.
Overview of the proposed camera-only map-based localization framework. (Credit: Satellite Navigation)
On April 20, researchers from Wuhan University and Chongqing University reported (DOI: 10.1186/s43020-026-00196-x) in Satellite Navigation a camera-only localization framework that uses prebuilt colored point cloud maps, a dual-sparsity matching strategy that retains high-gradient features in both the map and image observations, and hierarchical geometric–photometric optimization to improve both positioning accuracy and computational efficiency in GNSS-challenged environments.
The system is built around two connected stages. First, the researchers generate a sparse colored point-cloud map from a denser map produced by lidar–IMU–camera mapping, keeping only high-gradient points that preserve visually salient structures while removing weak or redundant information.
They apply a similar sparse selection process to online camera images, creating what the team calls “dual-sparsity matching” between map and observation. During localization, the method uses Lucas–Kanade optical flow to track sparse 2D image features and associates them with 3D map points, while hidden-point removal helps retain only the map points actually visible from the current viewpoint.
The pose is then refined through an iterated error-state Kalman filter in two stages: a geometric PnP-style correction for stable coarse alignment, followed by photometric refinement using image intensity consistency for sub-pixel accuracy.
Tests on the R3live and WHU-Motion datasets showed major gains over existing methods. Compared with direct sparse localization (DSL), the new approach cut absolute trajectory error (ATE) by 52% to 95% across challenging sequences, including a drop from 1.883 m to 0.152 m on R3live_5. It also improved accuracy by up to 76.6% over I2D-Loc++, reduced total processing time by as much as 47.7%, and remained robust in degenerate scenes where geometry-only localization deteriorated to 9.23 m while the proposed tracker held an ATE of 0.076 m.
Ablation results further showed that colored maps, bidirectional sparsity, and hierarchical optimization each played a distinct role in achieving the final balance of speed, robustness, and precision.
The authors said the main advance is not simply adding color to a map, but treating the global colored point cloud map as a continuous observation within the visual odometry framework. They said the framework shows that a monocular camera can localize far more robustly when paired with a prebuilt colored point cloud map and a coarse-to-fine optimization design that avoids poor local solutions.
In their view, the study offers a practical middle ground between fully sensor-rich systems and fragile vision-only pipelines, preserving much of the accuracy benefit of map-based localization without demanding equally heavy hardware on the client platform.
The work could have immediate value for indoor logistics robots, underground inspection platforms, warehouse vehicles, parking-garage navigation systems, and other low-cost autonomous agents operating where GNSS is weak or unavailable. Because the mapping can be completed offline and reused, the online platform needs only a monocular camera, which lowers sensing requirements while retaining strong global constraints.
That makes the method especially attractive for scalable deployments in structured but challenging spaces such as tunnels, campuses, hospitals, and industrial facilities. More broadly, the study suggests that future navigation systems may become both lighter and more dependable by making better use of the information already shared between maps and images, rather than relying only on ever-larger sensor stacks.
CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has released the AlphaAir 6, a flagship airborne lidar system designed for UAV-based laser scanning, drone lidar mapping, and aerial surveying in high-relief and complex terrain.
Combining prism scanning technology with a high-grade inertial navigation system (INS), the AlphaAir 6 delivers a maximum ranging capability of up to 2,100 meters and supports efficient data capture at typical flight altitudes of 400 to 600 meters above ground level.
The AlphaAir 6 integrates an upgraded laser engine and a high-grade IMU with 0.3°/h bias stability to improve trajectory accuracy and point cloud quality. This design removes the need for pre-mission IMU calibration and supports stable, efficient data collection for topographic mapping, corridor mapping, and wide-area aerial survey workflows.
The AlphaAir 6 combines fifth-generation real-time waveform processing with advanced multi-period technology to capture richer, denser, and more precise lidar data across complex terrain, vegetation, and built environments. According to CHCNAV, even at an ultra-high pulse repetition rate of 2,000,000 pulses per second, it continues to support real-time point cloud output, giving operators immediate in-flight visibility and a faster path to survey-grade 3D results.
To meet different project requirements, the AlphaAir 6 is available in single-camera and dual-camera configurations. Both options use large-format CMOS sensors to deliver high-resolution imagery, while the dual-camera version adds an ultra-wide field of view to improve image coverage and increase mapping efficiency.
With an integrated design and a weight of 1.35 kg, the AlphaAir 6 reduces payload burden on UAV platforms and helps extend flight endurance. Open interface protocols support integration with mainstream multirotor and fixed-wing UAVs, giving surveying and mapping professionals more flexibility across different mission types.
Emesent has launched its GX1 all-in-one mobile scanning system at Geo Week 2026 in Denver.
The GX1 is an integrated, highly accurate all-in-one mobile scanning system combining simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), lidar, real-time kinematic (RTK) georeferencing, cameras and software. The product marks a breakthrough for the autonomous mapping technology company.
The GX1 supports a seamless workflow, from capture to validated deliverable. It not only brings Emesent’s proven SLAM technology to everyday surveying applications, but also eliminates the longstanding trade-off faced by survey firms and players in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry between mobile scanning speed and dependable survey-grade accuracy.
According to Emesent, the GX1 can reduce the time required to survey a site by up to 95%, reducing what once took weeks into a single day of scanning. Meanwhile, the independently validated global accuracy of 5-10 mm delivers the precision needed for use cases across topographic and road surveying, scan to building information models, construction progress tracking and more.
These capabilities are supported by integrated RTK georeferencing with real-time quality monitoring, four 20MP cameras for 360° panoramic imagery, and Emesent’s proven SLAM algorithm. This technology — which also powers the Emesent Hovermap product — was developed and validated in extreme real-world environments, including GPS-denied, underground locations to ensure repeatable accuracy and reliability both indoors and out. Accuracy validation reports are produced quickly and easily in the Aura processing software.
With four purpose-built deployment modes — backpack, survey pole, vehicle mount and supported handheld — and integrated batteries for cable-free management, the GX1 offers a high degree of versatility. In addition, surveyors can capture data using RTK in the field or using ground control points and checkpoints in post-processing. This flexible georeferencing minimizes the risk of having to return to a site for redo.
“With the introduction of the GX1, we’ve answered the call we’ve heard echoing throughout the surveying industry to end the tug-of-war between fast and accurate,” said Dr Stefan Hrabar, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Emesent. “By putting the power of SLAM into the hands of the everyday surveyor, the GX1 raises the bar for mobile scanning accuracy and keeps critical projects on track.”
The launch of the GX1 comes at a pivotal moment for survey firms and the AEC industry. They are grappling with a shortage of experienced surveyors, while also facing mounting pressure from clients demanding faster, cheaper and better results without compromising on quality. The GX1 has been designed to be simple enough for junior surveyors to train on and deploy in a matter of days. At the same time, it is powerful enough to meet — and, according to Emesent, exceed — the real-world needs of professionals in the field.
A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the January-February 2026 issue of GPS World magazine.
Autonomous
1. Delivery Drones
Volatus deploys medical supplies in Canada
Image: Trimble
Volatus Aerospace has integrated the Trimble PX-1 RTX solution into its commercial delivery drone service to achieve accurate and robust positioning and heading. The Trimble module provides Volatus’ clients with a turnkey solution for highly accurate aerial data acquisition and fully remote drone operations in real-world missions, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The PX-1 RTX uses Trimble’s CenterPoint RTX corrections along with compact, high-performance GNSS-inertial hardware to deliver real-time, centimeter-level positioning and highly precise inertial-derived true heading measurements. This technology reduces operational risks associated with poor sensor performance or magnetic interference by providing enhanced positioning redundancy.
For border protection and long-range surveillance missions
Image: CopterPIX
The ERE95 Mini by CopterPIX operational platform is fully capable of GNSS-denied missions and integrates a long-range, anti-jamming communication system supporting distances of more than 20 km. It has an endurance of 2 hours and can carry up to 5 kg of payload for up to 1 hour. It also has integrated daylight and thermal imaging for advanced surveillance. With a fully foldable frame, the platform collapses into a backpack-sized kit, making it suitable for rapid mobility and field operations. Its modular “puzzle” architecture allows quick adaptation of SDR modules, optical payloads, and navigation solutions, enabling mission-specific configurations. To support rapid field deployment, the ERE95 Mini features a mechanical and electrical quick-connect interface, allowing operators to switch payloads in seconds and maintain continuous operational readiness across all missions.
Integrated into long-endurance unmanned aircraft system
Image: AeroVironment
AeroVironment has integrated its visual navigation system (VNS) kit with the Puma Long Endurance (LE) small unmanned aircraft system, delivering GNSS-denied navigation capability. The VNS kit uses advanced computer vision and onboard processing to deliver precise, GNSS-independent navigation. Using a suite of downward-facing sensors, cameras and onboard computing, the VNS kit performs visual inertial odometry to capture and analyze terrain imagery, estimating true aircraft position in real time. The system fuses continuous visual data from the cameras with motion inputs from onboard inertial sensors to calculate precise position, velocity and orientation — allowing the aircraft to know where it is and where it is going when GNSS is not available. It automatically transitions between GNSS-enabled and GNSS-denied modes with zero pilot input, ensuring uninterrupted mission continuity in contested environments.
Low power, small footprint setup for close-airspace awareness
Photo: MatrixSpace
The Portable 360 Radar is a rugged, easily transportable radar kit that delivers reliable close-airspace awareness with panoramic coverage for rapid-response counter-drone operations, from safeguarding stadiums and large public gatherings to border security and battlespaces. The MatrixSpace platform unifies threat awareness across multiple networked Portable 360 Radar systems and other sensors, without compromising local operation. By combining AI edge processing with MatrixSpace AiCloud Enterprise software, central command centers get an enhanced common operating picture and deep airspace activity analytics to assure public safety.
The SatLab SL8 Laser RTK GNSS receiver combines dual cameras, GNSS, an IMU and visible laser technology to make surveying faster and easier. With non-contact measurement, image-assisted targeting, CAD live-view stakeout, and a built-in LoRa radio. It ensures smooth, reliable work even in complex or GNSS-limited environments. The SL8 achieves 2 cm accuracy within 10 meters and enables efficient data collection across bridges, tunnels, riverbanks, and other sites where traditional GNSS methods are restricted. It features image-assisted targeting through SatSurv software, displaying laser points directly on real-time images for quick and precise aiming. Its automotive-grade IMU requires no manual calibration or initialization and enhances measurement accuracy by up to 40% in GNSS-challenged areas. A built-in multi-protocol LoRa transceiver provides stable transmission beyond 15 km and compatibility with multiple RTK brands. The integrated CAD and visual stakeout functions combine live imagery with CAD data, allowing users to visualize target points on site and increase layout efficiency by up to 50%.
A complete precision mapping solution for the utility and critical infrastructure industries worldwide is the goal of a partnership between ProStar Holdings and Tersus GNSS. The partnership will integrate Tersus’s survey-grade GNSS receivers with ProStar’s PointMan Underground Utility Mapping Software, providing an affordable, field-ready solution. The partnership will use ProStar’s LinQD open API integration platform, which is designed to enable seamless interoperability between emerging technologies and legacy systems, creating a robust global ecosystem for geospatial intelligence, uniting equipment manufacturers and service providers under the initiative.
The MVP S1 RTK-SLAM handheld 3D laser scanner uses GNSS through an AI-driven RTK-SLAM workflow, as well as lidar data with imagery from dual 48-megapixel panoramic cameras. The combination provides survey-grade results in both GNSS-denied and open environments. The system achieves centimeter-level accuracy outdoors and maintains performance indoors or underground through SLAM processing. TimeSync 3.0 synchronizes the hardware, aligning sensor data at the microsecond level and supporting consistent datasets and reliable post-processing. A mobile application provides users with real-time feedback, including previews of colorized point clouds while scanning, as well as basic scan reports on site. This feature helps operators verify data completeness and quality before leaving the field, reducing the need for repeat visits. The MVP S1 supports 3D gaussian splatting (3DGS), enabling creation of textured, photorealistic 3D models. This capability is useful for building information modeling, construction progress monitoring, underground surveys, forestry analysis and industrial site documentation.
The MALÅ GeoDrone 600 and Zond Aero 600 NG are two new high-resolution ground-penetrating radar (GPR) systems for UAVs. They significantly enhance high-resolution subsurface investigations with drones, supporting applications in engineering surveys, utility mapping, archaeology, environmental studies and geophysical research. They enable surveyors to capture consistent, high-quality subsurface data in areas difficult, slow or unsafe to access with traditional ground instruments. Operating at 600 MHz, the antennas offer a balance between penetration depth and fine near-surface resolution. Typical penetration from the drone is up to 2 meters, depending on surface conditions, while SPH Engineering’s True Terrain Following ensures stable antenna height to maintain data quality and repeatability.
For high-precision surveying, photo surveys and 3D modeling
Image: Aurora Navigation
The Astra1 Mobile Visual RTK is a professional-grade GNSS receiver engineered to redefine high-precision mobile data acquisition. It is built to meet the demand for highly portable, reliable, high-precision tools that simplify complex field operations. At 60 grams, the Astra1 is an ultra-compact solution designed to deliver reliable, centimeter-level positioning and advanced 3D mapping capabilities through seamless integration with a smartphone and the proprietary Anypos App. Accuracy is RTK 8mm+1PPM horizontally, 15mm+1PPM vertically, photo survey <4 cm (2-15 m distance). The Astra1 allows users to capture photos with precise RTK coordinates, enabling the creation of accurate 3D models for detailed construction verification and digital twinning applications.
The AR588MA is a 5G-advanced (5G-A) automotive-grade cellular module that integrates dual-band GNSS supporting both L1 and L5 bands with up to 30 Hz output. Based on MediaTek’s latest-generation MT2739 platform, the AR588MA supports 5G-A communication technology and complies with the 3GPP R18 standard protocol. It features both NB-NTN and NR-NTN satellite communication capabilities and supports dual-SIM dual-active (DSDA) technology, offering improved stability and reliability on cellular connections. It also includes intelligent driving scenario recognition. Designed in compliance with the AEC-Q104 Grade 2 automotive standard, it delivers fast, stable connectivity and reliable security for in-vehicle communication and benefits on-roof applications, such as smart antennas for automotive, with higher-temperature support.
A firmware upgrade to the Xsens Sirius and Xsens Avior IMUs delivers centimeter-level vertical displacement measurements for marine stabilization and control systems. The new Heave feature enables real-time stabilization and wave compensation in a wide range of marine applications. Marine engineers can access comprehensive motion data — roll, pitch, yaw and heave — from a single compact sensor, eliminating the need for external processing or oversized tactical-grade systems while maintaining the precision required for offshore platforms, vessels, docking systems, marine robots, buoys and surveying equipment.
The InnovizThree is fully colored long-range lidar with camera that creates a compact sensor-fusion module designed to reduce OEM integration complexity. The solution combines lidar and RGB sensing in a single compact perception module, purpose-built for behind-the-windshield installations, drones, micro-robotics and humanoids. The consolidation of an RGB camera inside InnovizThree reinforces Innoviz’s commitment to scalable, OEM-friendly sensor-fusion perception solutions designed for series production and long-term deployment, with the potential to enable faster deployment and cost savings. The RGB sensing capabilities are factory-aligned with the lidar, enabling precise and consistent visual-to-lidar geometry across production units. This alignment, combined with hardware-synchronized capture, will enable reliable multi-modal sensor-fusion data correlation while reducing calibration effort during vehicle integration.
High-integrity GNSS integration for autonomous driving
Image: Getty Images / iStock / FlashMovie
Swift Navigation is collaborating with Nvidia to enable a scalable, cost-effective approach to autonomous driving by integrating the Nvidia Drive AGX platform with Swift’s globally referenced, centimeter-accurate GNSS positioning. Swift Navigation offloads absolute localization to the GNSS sensor stack using its Swift Automotive Suite. The suite is a complete, modular software solution for safe, high-integrity precise vehicle localization that combines the centimeter-level Skylark Precise Positioning Service with the Starling positioning engine, software that fuses raw GNSS data and corrections with IMU and wheel odometry to deliver high-integrity, centimeter-accurate positioning (PVT). By using Swift’s high-precision stack for lane-level positioning, the vehicle’s optical sensors focus on obstacle detection and safety, lowering system cost and complexity.
Sinclair’s new SM 5G Family Tier features the SM714 and SM2601 series antennas. The multi-band, multi-port antennas are engineered to deliver superior connectivity, reliability and versatility for GNSS and other mission-critical wireless transportation applications. The SM714 is a 4-in-1 low-profile customizable transit antenna that combines 5G/LTE, Wi-Fi and tri-band GNSS coverage in a single compact form. Supporting 617–5925 MHz, it enables seamless operation across all major 5G and LTE bands. It is suitable for vehicles, fleet systems and connected mobility applications requiring a discreet, high-performance solution. The SM2601D is a 5-in-1 low-profile customizable antenna that features five independent ports: one for PTC (219–223 MHz), one for Wi-Fi (2400–6000 MHz), one for GNSS, and two full-band cellular ports (694–2700 MHz) that support diversity and MIMO operation for multi-radio systems. This dual-cell configuration offers greater throughput, flexibility, and redundancy in complex communication environments.
High-precision depth sensing and real-time velocity measurement
Image: Voyant Photonics
New versions of the Carbon lidar platform add 32-line and 64-line variants for compact, cost-sensitive and compute-limited systems. The new models complement existing 128-line configurations and are optimized for industrial autonomy, robotics, drones and smart infrastructure applications. They offer lower data rates and simplified integration while maintaining core FMCW advantages including velocity measurement, interference immunity and high dynamic range. With line resolutions spanning 32, 64 and 128, original equipment manufacturers and system integrators can tailor performance, bandwidth and compute load to specific use cases, from robotics and automated guided vehicles to drones and embedded edge platforms. The Carbon family’s silicon-photonics architecture integrates beam steering and coherent detection on a single photonic chip. The new variants include high-precision depth sensing and real-time velocity measurement, exceptional ambient light immunity and compact design for industrial and mobile environments.
For automotive track and varied environment testing
Image: VBOX
The NTRIP Base Station from VBOX Automotive combines a multi-constellation, multi-frequency GNSS engine with a built-in networked transport of RTCM via internet protocol (NTRIP) server. The equipment transmits real-time kinematic corrections over radio and cellular or Wi-Fi networks, supporting accurate real-time positioning across wider areas in varied environments compared to traditional radio-only systems. The base station launches in three models, with specifications designed to fit users’ needs. All systems combine quad-constellation, dual-frequency GNSS technology with built-in cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity. Compatible with VBOX 4, VBOX 3iS and external GNSS rovers, the new NTRIP Base Station supports both MSM4 and MSM7 RTCM formats, has up to 24 hours of battery life and is rated to IP67 to handle the demands of long outdoor test sessions. Models include Internal GNSS antenna and 2.4 GHz radio (quick to deploy for short-range applications, for temporary or mobile testing); Internal GNSS antenna, no radio (compact and simple, suitable for NTRIP or semi-permanent installations with external high-power radio masts); and External GNSS antenna, no radio (optimized for permanent installations with tripod-mounted antennas for maximum satellite visibility, supporting NTRIP or external radio).
GeoCue has announced the upcoming release of the TrueView GO NEO, a handheld SLAM lidar system that expands the company’s TrueView handheld lidar product lineup.
Unveiled at Geo Week 2026 in Denver, The TrueView GO NEO adds a smaller, lighter, more portable option designed to make handheld mapping easier, more flexible, and more affordable, especially for indoor capture. It pairs with a smartphone, keeping the workflow streamlined and the total cost of ownership low.
Since introducing the original TrueView GO 116S and TrueView GO 132S handheld systems, GeoCue has seen rapid adoption of handheld mapping workflows across surveying, construction, public safety, facility documentation, and more. The new TrueView GO NEO extends that momentum with a rugged design and high performance for teams who need dense data and dependable SLAM in corridors, stairwells, mechanical rooms, and other GNSS-challenged environments.
Indoor mapping
The TrueView GO NEO was designed as a complete, end-to-end workflow, helping teams move quickly from data acquisition to usable results in complex indoor environments. At its core is a new high-rate scanning engine capable of capturing up to 1.15 million points per second, delivering dense detail while improving field efficiency. An ultra-wide field of view (360° × 189°) increases coverage overhead and helps reduce missed areas, so users can capture complete scenes faster without “painting” every surface.
The NEO also introduces Deep INS + SLAM Fusion, pairing SLAM mapping with a high-grade inertial navigation system to improve stability in feature-poor environments where typical consumer-grade navigation can struggle. The result is more reliable trajectories and improved point cloud integrity in challenging scenarios, such as long corridors and multi-floor stairwells, where drift and misalignment can degrade results.
To enhance interpretation and deliverables, the TrueView GO NEO includes HD colorization and advanced image capture to support panoramic imagery and detailed colorization even in low light. Users can also leverage these images to create visual outputs such as mesh models and high-fidelity reality renderings for downstream documentation and visualization workflows.
Paired with LP360 Land
TrueView GO NEO is paired with LP360 Land, GeoCue’s software for handheld lidar processing, QA/QC, visualization and deliverable creation. LP360 Land enables users to generate detailed point clouds from raw data, validate coverage and quality, and produce outputs aligned to project workflows without unnecessary complexity.
The NEO is also designed to keep workflows streamlined, pairing conveniently with a phone and supporting device-to-cloud options through the LP360 Cloud platform. Users can upload captured data over Wi-Fi or hotspot for automated post-processing or use an LTE-based workflow to upload data.
Highlights
Smaller, lighter handheld SLAM lidar designed to “complete the range” of the TrueView GO lineup
High-speed point capture for fast, dense indoor reality capture
Ultra-wide field-of-view scanning to improve coverage and reduce blind zones
Precision IMU for low-drift SLAM, supporting reliable results over longer sessions even in typical SLAM challenging conditions
Integrated HD imaging for spherical capture and high quality colorization
Built-in GNSS for georeferencing workflows when GNSS is available (RTK/PPK capable)
“Smart Handle” integrating the battery with hot-swap battery capability for continuous scanning
Autonomous mapping company Emesent has launched the Emesent GX1, an integrated simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and real-time kinematic (RTK) scanner. The company is exhibiting the GX1 at Geo Week 2026 (booth #911).
The product achieves 5-10mm global accuracy to deliver high precision for topographic surveying and building and infrastructure construction. It can reduce the time required to survey a site by up to 95% with a single day of scanning replacing weeks of work, Emensent stated in a press release.
The GX1 is an integrated, all-in-one system where lidar, RTK, cameras and software work together seamlessly from capture to validated deliverable. Its SLAM technology was proven in the world’s most challenging environments to everyday surveying applications, but it also eliminates the longstanding trade-off faced by survey firms and the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry between mobile scanning speed and dependable survey-grade accuracy.
Suited for use cases across topographic and road survey, scan to building information models (BIM), construction progress tracking and more, the GX1 is simple enough for junior surveyors to train on and deploy in a matter of days yet powerful enough to meet the needs of experts in the field.
Accuracy. GX1 is the only SLAM-based mobile scanner system delivering 5-10mm global accuracy combined with rapid scanning capabilities. Incorporating client-first design, integrated RTK and Emesent’s proprietary SLAM algorithm, GX1 offers repeatable results survey firms can rely on.
Proven SLAM algorithm: Emesent’s SLAM technology, which powers its award-winning Emesent Hovermap product, was developed and validated in some of the most extreme real-world environments, includidng GPS-denied underground locations. It delivers repeatable accuracy both indoors and out.
Versatile deployment: GX1 has four purpose-built deployment modes: backpack, survey pole, vehicle mount, and supported handheld. Flexible georeferencing minimizes the risk of having to return to a site for redo – surveyors can capture with RTK in the field or with ground control points and checkpoints in post-processing.
The GX1 is being launched at a pivotal moment for survey firms and the AEC industry, which are grappling with a shortage of experienced surveyors, Emensent stated. At the same time, firms face mounting pressure from clients demanding faster, cheaper and better results without quality compromise, alongside the diminishing competitive advantage of adopting basic mobile scanning technology.
“With the introduction of the GX1, we’ve answered the call we’ve heard echoing throughout the surveying industry to end the tug-of-war between fast and accurate,” said Stefan Hrabar, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Emesent. “By putting the power of SLAM into the hands of the everyday surveyor, the GX1 raises the bar for mobile scanning accuracy and keeps critical projects on track.”
Technical Features
Independently validated 5-10mm global accuracy
Integrated RTK georeferencing with real-time quality monitoring
4 x 20MP cameras for 360° panoramic imagery
Emesent SLAM algorithm
Four deployment modes: backpack, survey pole, vehicle mount, handheld
Integrated batteries for cable-free management
Rapid accuracy validation reports in Aura processing software.
Innoviz Technologies, a Tier-1 direct supplier of automotive-grade lidar sensor platforms and software stacks, is demonstrating its fully colored long-range lidar with camera at CES 2026 this week in Las Vegas.
The InnovizThree creates a compact sensor-fusion module designed to significantly reduce OEM integration complexity. The solution combines lidar and RGB sensing in a single compact perception module, purpose-built for behind-the-windshield installations, drones, micro-robotics and humanoids.
The consolidation of an RGB camera inside InnovizThree reinforces Innoviz’s commitment to scalable, OEM-friendly sensor-fusion perception solutions designed for series production and long-term deployment with the potential to enable faster deployment and cost saving.
The RGB sensing capabilities are factory-aligned with the lidar, with an ability to ensure precise and consistent visual-to-lidar geometry across production units. This alignment, combined with hardware-synchronized capture, will enable reliable multi-modal sensor-fusion data correlation while reducing calibration effort during vehicle integration., the company said.
Delivered through a single integration interface, the solution will minimize wiring, interfaces, and system complexity. This approach will reduce the overall integration burden for OEMs, which is expected to enable simpler validation processes, optimized engineering effort, lower cost and faster time-to-production.
Voyant Photonics is offering new versions of its Carbon lidar platform, adding 32-line and 64-line variants designed to bring the power of frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) sensing to more compact, cost-sensitive, and compute-limited systems.
The new models will be on display at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026) in Las Vegas (LVCC West Hall, Booth #4875). Voyant will demonstrate live FMCW sensing capabilities and provide development kits for qualified partners.
The models complement the existing 128-line configurations, enabling broader choices and customizations from the Voyant portfolio of low-cost, high-performance sensors, and optimized for industrial autonomy, robotics, drones and smart infrastructure applications.
Building on the same efficient semiconductor foundation as Voyant’s flagship Carbon platform, the new versions offer lower data rates and simplified integration without sacrificing core FMCW advantages such as velocity measurement, interference immunity, and high dynamic range.
The Carbon family represents Voyant’s most versatile and scalable lidar product line, designed using Voyant proprietary silicon-photonics architecture that integrates beam steering and coherent detection on a single photonic chip. This integrated technology will unlock mass-production economics, reduced calibration drift, and unmatched consistency from unit to unit, the company said.
The new Carbon variants extend the core Carbon platform’s advantages:
High-precision depth sensing and real time velocity
Exceptional ambient light immunity, ensuring reliability from dim warehouses to direct sunlight
Compact design for demanding industrial and mobile environments
With line resolutions now spanning 32, 64 and 128, OEMs and system integrators can tailor performance, bandwidth and compute load to their specific use cases, from agile robotics and compact AGVs to drones and embedded edge platforms.
JAVAD Data Collector (JDC) is designed to run seamlessly on any Android device and interface seamlessly with JAVAD GNSS smart antennas. JDC features simple, intuitive workflows that require minimal training, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
The software includes a Signal Bar for a quick view of receiver status, ensuring users can easily monitor their equipment’s performance. Its easy navigation allows users to move through the software efficiently. It is designed to streamline operations of customers ranging from individual surveyors to large surveying firms, making it easier to deploy and manage receivers across teams of any size with minimal training. JDC is available for download through the company website.
The AU20 MMS is a vehicle-mounted mobile mapping system designed for accurate and efficient collection of 3D spatial data. It combines high-performance lidar technology, versatile sensor support and intelligent data processing to provide a practical and flexible solution for professionals in road surveying, asset management and infrastructure documentation. Its lidar system uses fourth-generation real-time waveform processing to achieve a scan rate of 2 million points per second and 200 revolutions per second, producing point cloud data with 5 mm accuracy and 3 mm precision. This level of detail allows for the identification of fine surface characteristics and features, supporting comprehensive asset inventories and condition assessments. The system’s long-range, multi-cycle laser technology enables high-density data capture up to 250 m in vehicle-mounted applications.
GNSS technology has had a reputation for unreliability in safety-critical applications, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This perception has shaped automotive design and manufacturing: some ADAS developers have avoided GNSS altogether, instead relying on cameras, lidar and other sensors. Here, Manuel Del Castillo, VP of business development at Focal Point Positioning, explains how, with the right reliability, GNSS can offer a powerful layer of redundancy and support these other sensor types.
The hesitation to include GNSS in ADAS stacks is historical. Traditionally, this technology was unreliable, especially in dense, urban environments where satellite signals were obstructed. Consequently, many automakers turned to alternative sensors. For example, cameras can identify lane markings, traffic signs and objects, while lidar can build highly detailed 3D maps of the vehicle’s surroundings.
Each of these sensors provides important navigational data. However, they all describe a car’s location relative to its immediate environment. With no reliable source of absolute positioning, these relative measurements can’t confirm the vehicle’s exact place in the world — information that is critical for safe navigation.
Why ADAS Needs GNSS
Cameras, lidar and other sensors provide rich environmental data. However, they are limited by what they can directly observe. A camera can identify lane markings but can’t confirm which road the vehicle is on when multiple lanes or junctions overlap. Similarly, lidar can map obstacles in 3D, but without a wider frame of reference, it will struggle to anchor that map to the road network. HD maps provide another valuable layer, but without an accurate global position, they too can be misaligned with the real world, limiting their value.
GNSS can help plug this gap. By supplying absolute latitude and longitude, it ensures that the relative information from the other sensors is grounded in the correct location. GNSS helps calibrate and initialise other sensors, while also providing a cross-check against their measurements to detect potential errors or drift in sensor performance over time. Therefore, reliable GNSS is not an alternative to cameras, lidar or radar. It complements these sensors and boosts accuracy and the reliability of the overall system.
The Importance of Redundancy
Increasingly, the importance of GNSS in ADAS stacks is being recognised. As automotive production moves toward L3 automation and beyond, the demand for absolute positioning increases, along with the need for safe, layered sensing. GNSS, alongside cameras, lidar and radar, can help automakers improve navigational resilience without reinventing vehicular architectures.
Reliable GNSS isn’t about replacing other technologies. It is about reinforcing them. Having a global frame of reference helps ensure that the relative data from other sensors is grounded in the correct place. For automakers, the next step is recognising that GNSS can improve safety and trust in ADAS stacks, supporting the transition toward autonomous driving.
Advancing GNSS Reliability
Even with GNSS integrated into the vehicle’s sensors, challenges remain. Urban canyons and dense foliage can attenuate or even block satellite signals and create reflections, reducing accuracy. Since ADAS systems need reliably accurate absolute positioning, these challenges need to be addressed if we want GNSS to play a role in ADAS.
Newer, more sophisticated GNSS solutions are needed. The progression to Level 3 does not require an entirely new technology stack but rather extracting the very best from each of the existing components. For GNSS, this evolution involves implementing software-based solutions to achieve the necessary reliability improvements without overhauling hardware components. Pursuing cost-effective upgrades enhances performance without necessitating complete system redesigns, thereby keeping costs under control.
FocalPoint’s S-GNSS Auto software enhances GNSS accuracy in autonomous vehicles, providing reliable, absolute location to improve overall ADAS safety and efficiency. By boosting line-of-sight signals and rejecting non-line-of-sight signals, this simple firmware upgrade can help vehicles maintain accuracy in challenging environments.
By reducing positional uncertainty, these enhanced GNSS solutions strengthen the overall sensor stack. Together, these layers improve resilience, safety, and confidence in higher levels of vehicle automation.
As the automotive industry moves further towards L3 automation and beyond, reliable data on absolute position will be essential and will only reinforce the insights captured by cameras, lidar and other sensors.
A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the December 2024 issue of GPS World magazine.
Mapping
Photo: SPH Engineering
GPR System For terrestrial and airborne applications
The Zond Aero 500 NG is a versatile ground penetrating radar (GPR) system designed for both terrestrial and drone-mounted surveys, suitable for applications such as utility scanning, sinkhole detection, glaciology and geological studies. It operates in dual mode, allowing for ground-based and airborne surveys, enhancing data collection flexibility. Key specifications include a center frequency of 500 MHz, an operating bandwidth of 200 MHz – 900 MHz, a sampling rate of 25,600 samples per second and a scan rate of 50 scans per second, with depth penetration up to 4 meters in average soil conditions. The system features advanced electronics for real-time data collection, which can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio. It is compatible with DJI Matrice 300/350 UAVs for airborne applications.
Streamlined Lidar Mapping YellowScan’s Surveyor Ultra integrated with DeltaQuad Evo
Integrating YellowScan’s Surveyor Ultra with the DeltaQuad Evo platform allows users to collect high-precision, high-density data across 1,200 hectares in a single flight while simultaneously capturing lidar and RGB data.
DeltaQuad Evo’s long-range flight capabilities and efficient vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design, paired with the Surveyor Ultra’s lidar technology, allow users to streamline their workflows to reduce time spent in the air and on post-processing tasks, making it particularly beneficial for large infrastructure projects, forestry analysis and environmental monitoring. The system can be used for surveying, construction, forestry and environmental research.
Airborne Mapping System With a ‘cross-fire’ scan pattern
The VQ-1560 III-S is a dual-channel laser scanning system designed for airborne mapping applications. Its “cross-fire” scan pattern allows for simultaneous forward and backward viewing at the edges of the swath, along with a nadir view in the center. This configuration optimizes point distribution for effective target sampling. With pulse repetition rates reaching up to 4.4 MHz, the VQ-1560 III-S can operate at altitudes of up to 1,600 m above ground level (AGL). At a lower pulse repetition rate of 560 kHz, it can function at altitudes as high as 3,900 m AGL.
The system features inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GNSS integration, with the option to include one or two high-resolution RGB/NIR cameras. It is ideal for professionals in fields such as urban planning, forestry and environmental monitoring.
This bathymetric lidar system is designed for coastal and inland water mapping. It combines high-resolution topographic and bathymetric capabilities, allowing for seamless data collection across land and sea. It can be used for coastal zone management, environmental monitoring, infrastructure planning and more.
Fathom delivers data quickly by leveraging real-time quality control with Onboard and scalable processing with a CARIS workflow. It also includes a built-in topographic lidar and a multispectral camera for coastal surveys at a coverage of 50 km2/hour.
The Geode Grip is a mounting accessory featuring a specialized bracket. It allows users to securely attach smartphones directly to Juniper’s Geode GNSS receivers, offering an integrated and streamlined data collection solution.
The Geode Grip is a tool designed for professionals in surveying, mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) to enhance mobile data collection. It replaces the traditional survey pole with a handheld setup that aims to improve ergonomics. It is ideal for field projects that require precise location data and mobile data collection, such as environmental research, land surveying, agriculture and infrastructure engineering.
New Product Bundle For high-accuracy GNSS applications
Quectel Wireless Solutions has unveiled a new product bundle designed to facilitate the development of high-accuracy GNSS applications. The bundle includes the LG290P GNSS module, which is a quad-band, multi-constellation device capable of receiving signals from various satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS and NavIC. The LG290P is engineered for high precision and supports RTK positioning, allowing for centimeter-level accuracy even in challenging environments. It can be used in diverse applications, such as autonomous vehicles, precision agriculture and surveying.
In addition to the LG290P module, the bundle includes options for either the YEGN103W8A geodetic antenna or the YEGD006U1A patch antenna. Both antennas are designed to operate within the same frequency bands as the GNSS module and are compliant with environmental regulations such as RoHS. This pre-integrated solution simplifies developers’ procurement and integration process by providing a one-stop solution that combines antennas with GNSS modules and RTK correction services.
Lidar Camera Payload For surveying and mapping applications
The RESEPI Ultra LITE is a lightweight payload combining lidar and camera technology for advanced surveying and mapping applications. The system integrates the XT-32 lidar scanner to offer users advanced data accuracy and point density across various operational modes.
It has a compact design with a 5MP colorization camera, making it ideal for small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) with strict volume constraints. It can be used for aerial and ground-based applications, including utility mapping, construction volumetrics, precision agriculture, forestry, site surveying and mining. Designed for seamless integration, the system is compatible with a wide range of platforms such as Freefly, WISPR, DJI, Sony and mobile setups. Inertial Labs’ proprietary SnapFit adapters ensure quick and secure mounting to enhance the system’s adaptability.
The Leica GS05 is a compact and lightweight GNSS smart antenna designed for surveying tasks, featuring calibration-free tilt compensation. This robust device allows for accurate measurements even when the survey pole is tilted up to 30°, enhancing data collection in challenging environments. Its integration with Leica Geosystems’ portfolio, including Leica Captivate software and total stations, seeks to maximize efficiency. The GS05 can function as both a base and an RTK rover, supporting single base stations and RTK networks such as Leica SmartNet.
Intrepid is a GNSS/INS system integrated with the SeaBat T20-ASV processor and includes a compact IMU and two GNSS antennas, ensuring reliable and precise positioning.
It can automatically stream data to third-party software. This eliminates the need for manual sensor interfacing and reduces downtime. The Intrepid GNSS/INS benefits users in marine surveying applications by providing the precise navigation necessary for operational efficiency. Its intuitive design allows for simple configuration.
Miniature MEMS Sensor-Based IMU Can withstand high shock and vibrations
The KERNEL-201 features three-axis MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes that offer ultra-low noise, high bandwidth and minimal latency. These characteristics make it ideal for applications such as pointing, stabilization and navigation in systems where performance and size are critical. Its volume of 0.38 cubic inches offers a high dynamic range.
Fully calibrated and temperature-compensated, the unit offers consistent, precise measurements even in challenging environments. It features an in-run bias stability of up to 0.7 deg/hr for gyroscopes and 0.005 mg for accelerometers, along with a low angular random walk (ARW) of 0.065°/√hr and velocity random walk (VRW) of 0.015 m/sec/√hr.
The unit is designed to withstand high shock and vibration while maintaining peak performance, making it suitable for a wide range of challenging applications. The KERNEL-201 can be integrated into various high-level systems, such as motion reference units (MRUs), GPS-aided inertial navigation systems (INS) and attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS). It offers continuous built-in testing (BIT), customizable communication protocols and flexible power options.
Smart Choke Antenna Offers comprehensive GNSS signal reception
The VCS6000XF full band smart choke antenna is engineered for CORS applications. It combines Tallysman Verachoke antenna elements with Septentrio’s Mosaic X5 full-band receiver to offer an integrated solution for OEM CORS systems.
The VCS6000XF offers comprehensive GNSS signal reception, including GPS/QZSS L1/L2/L5, GLONASS G1/G2/G3, Galileo E1/E5a/E5b/E6/E5 AltBoc, BeiDou B1/B2/B2a/B3, NavIC L5, SBAS and L-Band correction services.
The antenna features a 0.5 mm phase center variation and utilizes Calian’s eXtended filtering for near-band signal interference mitigation. The integrated Septentrio Mosaic X5 receiver provides capabilities such as anti-jamming, anti-spoofing, scintillation mitigation and receiver integrity by combining the antenna and receiver in the choke ring antenna.
