Tag: mapping app

  • Launchpad: New surveying & mapping systems, airborne lidar and more

    Launchpad: New surveying & mapping systems, airborne lidar and more

    Read a roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the May/June 2026 issue of GPS World magazine.

    GNSS receiver

    Enclosed multi-frequency boxed receiver

    Septentrio

    The AsteRx EB GNSS receiver. (Credit: Septentrio)
    The AsteRx EB GNSS receiver. (Credit: Septentrio)

    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.

    GNSS RTK platform

    Real-time kinematic delivers CM-level measurements

    SparkPNT

    Image: SparkPNT
    Image: SparkPNT

    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.

    GNSS antenna

    High-precision, high-accuracy, robust

    Hemisphere GNSS, Calian Group Ltd.

    Image: Hemisphere GNSS
    Image: Hemisphere GNSS

    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

    CHC Navigation

    AlphaAir 6 is mounted on the X500 UAV during an urban mapping mission. (Credit: CHC Navgation)
    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.

    GNSS mapping app

    Makes smartphones data-collection tools

    Image: Fastxy
    Image: Digital Mapping Group

    Digital Mapping Group

    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.

  • Free license tier offered for Touch GIS fieldwork app

    Photo: Touch GIS
    Photo: Touch GIS

    Users can now install and test Touch GIS, a mobile field data mapping app, for as long as needed with a free license tier. Previously, users were able to install the app and sign up for a 14-day free trial period.

    “We realized some users needed more time to evaluate the many features of Touch GIS,” said Joe Wilson, head of product for Touch GIS.

    Touch GIS, a mobile app available on iPhones and iPads, can be used for geologic exploration, utility mapping, farming, real estate, search & rescue and other applications.

    Touch GIS features point, line and polygon drawing features; an offline workflow; WMS/WMTS support; customizable attribute forms; custom feature class creation; SHP, KML, KMZ, GeoJSON, GPX support; and more.

    “We’re really excited to be able to offer this new tier,” Wilson added. “We love working with our users to support their needs in the field. The free tier will allow us to do this better. We also hope this will encourage new users to jump in and really kick the tires. We’re proud of what we’ve built and are excited for more people from a variety of industries to discover the apps capabilities.”

    Users who wish to unlock offline map caching and exporting capabilities can purchase an annual or monthly license, the company said. In addition, discounts are available for educational institutions, qualified non-profits and credentialed U.S. federal government employees.