Tag: machine guidance

Leica Geosystems launches versatile construction smart antenna

Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, has launched of Leica iCON gps 160 — a significantly enhanced, next-generation construction smart antenna with features that increase productivity in all stakeout and measurement applications on the jobsite.

The Leica iCON construction portfolio offers a broad range of smart antennas to fit every construction professional’s needs. From basic level to sophisticated high-end applications, Leica Geosystems’ smart antennas are designed and built to withstand challenging site conditions. All of them seamlessly integrate with all Leica iCON construction instruments and controllers as well as the iCON field software for precise, real-time verification.

To expand its portfolio of smart antennas, Leica Geosystems has launched the iCON gps 160, a versatile solution for various applications. It can be used as a base station, as a rover or for machine guidance. The Leica iCON gps 160 is a modernization and enhancement of the successful Leica iCON gps 60, which has been well accepted in the market. The result is a smaller, more compact GNSS antenna with additional features and a larger display for ease of use.

The new Leica iCON gps 160 is particularly suited to complex construction environments with different GNSS requirements — the ability to switch between the different applications is at the users’ fingertips. Besides checking grade, cut and fill, stakeout points and lines, users can also benefit from using this solution for basic-level GNSS machine guidance.

Construction technology must be easy to adopt. Thus, the iCON gps 160 comes with an integrated color display, a user-friendly interface, smart setup wizards and an intuitive construction-specific workflow to help contractors get the most out of their investment from day one.

Size and weight reductions make the iCON gps 160 easy to handle, while the latest GNSS and communication technologies improve data reception, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency.

Photo: Leica Geosystems

The optional tilt feature allows users to measure and stake out points with a tilted pole, which saves time and extends the measurement possibilities on any construction site.

“At Leica Geosystems, we understand that construction surveyors are under pressure and tight schedules to provide accurate, on-demand data that helps deliver projects on time and on budget,” said Matthias Schmidt, manager, Portfolio Field and GNSS, Leica Geosystems. “The iCON gps 160 Smart Antenna sets new standards in construction GNSS antennas. It solves several challenges simultaneously, enabling precise measurement, avoiding mistakes and extra trips on-site, ultimately helping to work toward a more sustainable future.”

November 3, 2022
Hemisphere GNSS introduces GradeMetrix machine control platform

Hemisphere GNSS’ IronOne tablet running GradeMetrix software.

Hemisphere GNSS introduced its GradeMetrix platform, a machine guidance solution for high-precision GNSS-based machine control and guidance applications and systems, at bauma 2019.

GradeMetrix positioning systems — as well as the new Earthworks OEM solution toolkit — will be featured in the Hemisphere stand (A2.228) at bauma 2019 in Munich, Germany, April 8-14. Bauma 2019 is a construction machinery trade show.

GradeMetrix

Hemisphere’s GradeMetrix portfolio includes solution offerings for dozer and excavator earth-moving applications. Hemisphere continues to make significant strides forward with its next-generation GradeMetrix solutions through its network of machine control dealers and value-added resellers (VAR). Whether it is grading, mining, excavating, or compaction applications, GradeMetrix solutions provide superior performance at an exceptional value.

“GradeMetrix and Earthworks OEM platforms and design services empower dealers, VARs, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers with unparalleled flexibility and price points for designing, complementing, and delivering their own scalable solutions,” said Randy Noland, vice president of global sales and business development at Hemisphere. “These offerings deliver a new generation of positioning systems by removing multiple barriers to entry and higher adoption rates, especially to smaller customers, machines, and markets.”

Earthworks OEM toolkit

Hemisphere also announced its Earthworks OEM toolkit ,which allows manufacturers to select components as à la carte or complete solutions, based on their accuracy and durability requirements to integrate into their machines and design their own IP, enabling them to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The customizable and flexible toolkit provides the ability to tailor displays and outputs, per their requirements, providing OEMs with flexible options to build their own branded systems. This allows for much faster times to market, driving increased revenue streams for OEMs, and provides a high cost/value ratio. From grading, to mining, to excavation, Hemisphere’s Earthworks OEM toolkit increases accuracy, efficiency and profitability.

Speeding time to market and customer

In the increasingly competitive OEM marketplace, manufacturers are scrambling to get positioning and other non-native technologies out to market on their machines. As the uptake of this technology becomes more mainstream with the customer base, each OEM, VAR and even super distributor are all racing to define a profitable system design they can deploy through their own channels.

With the release of GradeMetrix and Earthworks OEM product lines, Hemisphere is addressing this demand. Typical development times for OEMs with vendors for positioning systems is measured in years, not months. With these new product lines, Hemisphere is providing a new avenue for these customers to get their own system established and into the marketplace, much faster and with lower development costs.

April 8, 2019
NovAtel provides SMART7 smart antennas for agriculture

Photo: NovAtel

NovAtel has introduced its SMART7 family of SMART antennas for demanding applications like precision agriculture and machine control.

The SMART7 family features NovAtel’s GNSS + inertial navigation system (INS) SPAN technology; future-ready GNSS; Wi-Fi and internet protocol connectivity; superior tracking performance; and TerraStar-C PRO corrections.

It is ready to increase GNSS availability, accuracy and reliability for major precision-agriculture equipment manufacturers, the company said.

“Manufacturers that serve these demanding industries can now take advantage of the best in precise positioning technology, with added next-generation features including wireless connectivity, SPAN GNSS+INS integration and superior tracking performance, in an even more robust format,” said Gordon Ryley, Precision Agriculture Segment manager at NovAtel. “With this combination of technologies, guidance systems can continue to steer during satellite signal outages and under challenging conditions.”

The SMART7-S includes NovAtel’s tightly coupled SPAN technology, an advanced GNSS+INS integration technology NovAtel said. SPAN provides accurate attitude information that can simplify the development of vehicle guidance systems and bridge GNSS signal outages.

For easier connection to mobile devices and cellular gateways, the SMART7-W includes Wi-Fi and an integrated NTRIP client; the SMART7-I model also incorporates Ethernet. A new advanced ISOBUS-compatible CAN interface also supports NovAtel logs, commands and firmware upgrades.

All models in the SMART7 family provide exceptional positioning availability using signals from all constellations and frequencies to deliver assured positioning anywhere.

Each model includes a VEXXIS antenna, and supports TerraStar-C PRO, the newest offering from TerraStar correction services, which delivers 2.5 centimeters and convergence times of less than 18 minutes in most regions.

September 17, 2018