GPS World

Tag: mapping

  • Regulating Navigation and Mapping Apps?

    Steven Spriggs was pulled over by a motorcycle cop for using his iPhone while driving. He immediately held it up to show the officer that he was using Apple Maps, and not talking or texting. More about Mr. Spriggs later. With approval of the pending transportation bill in Congress, smartphone maps and navigation will be regulated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would receive the power to regulate apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps. NHTSA’s job would be to review navigation apps and order changes to decrease driver distractibility.

    Guess who is in favor of this new regulation for smartphone apps? Automakers. Embedded navigation systems, those found in the dashboard of vehicles, are already regulated by NHTSA. Smartphone navigation apps are a much cheaper option than the systems offered by automakers, who are looking for a more level playing field and a way to slow down the smartphone navigation juggernaut.

    The downside to this regulation is big. If it was just Apple and Google mapping, oversight would be simpler, but Apple App Store and Google Play Store are filled with hundreds of mapping and navigation apps. Logistically it doesn’t seem possible for the NHTSA to review all of the apps efficiently without causing interference in the market. NHTSA doesn’t currently have the budget, infrastructure or staffing to be successful.

    The forum of the radio show “Car Talk” is alive with discussion on NHTSA’s desire to control navigation. The vast majority of posters point out the distraction from using a paper map or being lost. “Personally, I prefer a full-sized road atlas on the seat beside me for all my navigation needs. Taking occasional readings with a sextant helps, but is difficult while eating my Big Mac and holding the wheel with my knee,” Paul Carney writes with sarcasm. On the other side, Victor Cooper responds, “YES! It is long overdue. And I think it is about time we treat texting while driving the same as we do drunk driving…criminal penalties and all.”

    I think regulation on mapping and navigation may help make the apps simpler to use and less distracting. Before passing a regulatory law, I’d like NHTSA to successfully demonstrate a review system that doesn’t impede innovation, significantly delay new products, or make it overwhelming difficult for small start-ups.

    So what happened to Steven Spriggs? The police officer went ahead and wrote a $165 ticket for using a cell phone while driving, despite Spriggs argument that the law didn’t apply to navigation apps. Spriggs challenged his ticket in California’s state appeal court and won. The $165 went back into Spriggs’ pocket and map users everywhere sighed with relief,

  • New Geospatial Computing Book Penned by Ruizhi Chen

    Geospatial-computing-WA new text and reference book, Geospatial Computing in Mobile Devices, has been published by Artech House. Recent developments in smartphones enable them to meet many of the demanding requirements for geospatial computing, in terms of computation power, data storage capacity, and memory space. This book, written by Ruizhi Chen and Robert E. Guinness, addresses and instructs in geospatial data acquisition, processing, visualization, context detection, and context intelligence.

    Chapters of the 209-page book include:

    • Fundamentals of Mobile Positioning
    • GNSS, Wireless, and Hybrid Positioning in Mobile Devices (three separate chapters)
    • Mobile GIS and LBSs (two separate chapters)
    • Context Awareness and Reasoning (two chapters), and
    • Future Directions in Mobile Geospatial Computing.

    Co-author Ruizhi Chen previously published a cover story in GPS World magazine, 3D Smartphone Navigation Using Geocoded Images and another technical article, Multi-Sensor, Multi-Network Positioning, also in GPS World. He is a professor and head of the Department of Navigation and Positioning at the Finnish Geodetic Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in geophysics from University of Helsinki. He is the general chair of the IEEE conferences Ubiquitous Positioning, Indoor Navigation and Location-Based Services held in 2010 and 2012, and scheduled this year for November 20–21 at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi.

  • EuroGeographics to Create Expert Group in GNSS Positioning

    Members of EuroGeographics are creating a European platform for networking, sharing best practices, and exchanging expertise on GNSS positioning.

    Plans for the new Positioning Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) were revealed at the association’s recent Extraordinary General Assembly following a proposal by the Head Office for Geodesy and Cartography, Poland. Its focus will include:

    • maintaining a network of experts in satellite positioning and navigation
    • following the development of relevant technologies and practices
    • working on the most effective utilization of Galileo services, and
    • developing common standards, policies and guidelines for best practice.

    Now EuroGeographics members will work to agree on roles and joint actions through a cooperation agreement with the European Position Determination System (EUPOS), the Reference Frame Sub Committee for Europe (Euref), and the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (CLGE). The new Positioning KEN will incorporate experts from all four organizations and will also invite other key players to participate.

    “This is a really exciting addition to our range of benefits for members,” said EuroGeographics Executive Director and Secretary General Dave Lovell OBE. “It demonstrates how they are driving the association’s development to ensure its activities continue to meet their needs by reflecting emerging trends and the relevant interests of the European Institutions. We look forward to strengthening our relationships with EUPOS, Euref and CLGE as we work together to create the uniform GNSS service for Europe.”

    EuroGeographics KENs provide an open forum for members and invited experts. Each focuses on an area of particular interest for national mapping, land registry and cadastral authorities. These include Business Interoperability, Quality and Emergency Mapping.

  • Rugged IP68 GPS Handhelds and Field Computers Launched

    Rugged IP68 GPS Handhelds and Field Computers Launched

    The GAGAN-enabled Sxtreo GN11.
    The GAGAN-enabled SXtreo GN11.

    Stesalit today announced the availability of the SXtreo range of rugged GPS handhelds for survey, industrial use, and field work under extreme conditions such as agriculture, forestry, roads, security and construction.

    The SXtreo series of mobile devices are rated IP-68, meaning they are waterproof, dust proof, shockproof, and are coupled with built-in mobile GIS applications. Long battery life allows GPS data collection for a full work day, without the need for recharging. The GNSS devices come with full-size USB port for connecting devices.

    Stesalit is based in India, and the SXtreo gives that country an affordable option to take geotagged photos and conduct waypoint surveys. The design and conceptualization of SXtreo is a result of the in-house R&D effort of Stesalit. The road towards the birth of SXtreo is presented in the video:

    The GAGAN-enabled SXtreo GN series of rugged GNSS field computers and PDAs comes with a full keypad and large five-inch sunlight-readable screen for field data entry in large forms. These models are designed for GPS data collection and asset management, socioeconomic surveys, mapping, agriculture, logistics, forestry, public transportation, construction and security.

    The SXtreo WP 60 and WP61 devices have all the features of a smartphone.

    The Sxtreo WP 61 rugged smartphone.
    The SXtreo WP 61 rugged smartphone.

    SXtreo handheld’s Android and embedded Linux-based open-source secured operating systems are compatible with a range of sector-specific applications designed by Stesalit.

    • SXgeo is specially designed for waypoint, routes, and track surveys. The added advantage from the similar existing applications is that one can capture geotagged photos and transfer the survey data through GPRS.
    • SXsurvey is a complete suite for comprehensive survey management. With the features of SXgeo, one can also create large forms dynamically in the devices for survey data collection.
    • SXfield is specifically built for the field workers and employees working away from office like road construction, oil, gas and other utility services, logistics and distribution chains, FMCG, consumer and white good companies with large sales networks, operations and maintenance organizations with large service networks, and security organizations including police.
    • The integrated application SXagro is a geospatial agriculture decision-support system in use by agriculture universities and state agriculture departments.

    In addition, the SXtreo range of IP68 rugged smartphones is compatible with most of the off-the-shelf mobile software applications.

  • Trimble Adds Automated Mapping and Plotting to Office Suite for Surveyors

    Trimble has introduced a new version of its office software suite used by surveyors and geospatial professionals for processing and analyzing geospatial data. Trimble Business Center Version 3.21 introduces new coordinate reference systems and a specialized Advanced Drafting module, which enables faster project turnaround and better decision making.

    The optional Advanced Drafting module adds highly customizable templates and simplified selection tools, which are designed to reduce the time required to generate high-quality deliverables, such as geospatial maps and corridor cross-sections. Now, professionals working on road, pipeline, and railway projects can achieve efficiency gains through the software’s new automated cross-section plotting functionality.

    Also included in the new module is the ability to create 3D PDFs so that team members and clients can collaborate from any computer or mobile device using Adobe Reader software.

    “Trimble Business Center is the enterprise solution for surveyors and geospatial professionals to produce high-quality deliverables,” said Alain Samaha, business area director of GIS and Software for Trimble’s Geospatial Division. “These new capabilities demonstrate the continued evolution of our software portfolio to provide customers with an end-to-end solution to fulfill their client’s high-end requirements in the most efficient way.”

    Trimble Business Center Software version 3.21 and the Advanced Drafting module are now available through Trimble’s Geospatial Distribution Channel.

  • Sokkia’s GHX2 RTK Rover Designed for Demanding Environments

    Sokkia’s GHX2 RTK Rover Designed for Demanding Environments

    Sokkia GHX2 RTK network rover.
    Sokkia GHX2 RTK network rover.

    Sokkia has added the GHX2 network rover to its GNSS family of surveying products in the North American market. The GHX2 is designed to pair with the Sokkia SA300 external antenna to provide enhanced positioning accuracy and RTK performance in demanding environments.

    “The power of a built-in survey and mapping grade GNSS receiver makes the GHX2 an excellent choice,” said Brice Walker, Sokkia vice president of survey sales. When combined with the Sokkia SA300 antenna, the system is a perfectly balanced and lightweight solution for surveying professionals.”

    Features include a large 5.7-inch, sunlight readable touchscreen, waterproof housing, a built-in 3.2 MP camera with 4 GB of flash storage, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

    The system is compatible with MAGNET Field and Sokkia Receiver Utility (SRU) software.

    GHX2_Unit_Sokkia-W

  • Leica Releases Viva GNSS Unlimited Series

    Leica Releases Viva GNSS Unlimited Series

    Leica_Viva_GS100-W
    Leica Viva GS100

    The Leica Viva GNSS Unlimited Series, available in August, will allow customers to make a safe investment with future-proof GNSS receivers and smart antennas, Leica Geosystems said in announcing the new series. With a flexible design, the Viva GNSS sensors can be upgraded for maximum performance whenever needed.

    The Leica Viva GNSS range fully supports the Chinese BeiDou navigation system. It can even provide BeiDou-only and GLONASS-only high-precision positioning. The unlimited series includes a future upgrade to a GNSS board with more than 500 channels and will serve users’ needs beyond 2020, the company said. Outages of real-time kinematic (RTK) communication links are bridged for up to 10 minutes with SmartLink to increase centimeter position availability in areas where RTK communications links are unstable.

    Leica Viva GS15
    Leica Viva GS15

    The Leica Viva GNSS Unlimited Series can be upgraded to the full range of GNSS signals. The sensors’ future-proof design is equipped for GNSS modernization, providing users with confidence in their investment. The series embraces the future-proof concept by including an upgrade to a GNSS board with more than 500 channels. To fully guarantee future proof GNSS, board exchanges are inevitable because any likely modifications in GNSS signals require a new GNSS ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

    Leica SmartTrack technology guarantees accurate signal tracking, while SmartCheck technology evaluates and verifies RTK measurements to ensure reliable results. Both SmartTrack and SmartCheck technologies have been extended to support the BeiDou GNSS. BeiDou reached full operational regional capability in 2012 and has a total of 14 satellites. Leica Viva GNSS also supports features like BeiDou-only and GLONASS-only positioning to accommodate governmental regulations.

    In addition, Leica Geosystems now offers SmartLink, a correction service delivered via satellite for uninterrupted centimeter positioning in areas where RTK communication links are unstable.

    Leica Viva GS14
    Leica Viva GS14

    All Leica Viva GNSS products exceed the toughest environmental specifications, going beyond industrial standards such as IP68. This ensures flawless performance even in the most challenging environments. Applications for the range include construction and field surveying, mining, seismic work in dense forest, desert or mountains, as well as demanding work in extreme heat at 65°C (149 °F) or at extreme latitudes at -30°C (-22 °F). Premium precision and attention to detail ensure that the Leica Viva GNSS products can be trusted throughout the complete product lifetime.

    Leica Viva offers a complete range of unlimited GNSS and TPS solutions made with Swiss precision, combining the highest accuracy with maximum versatility and optimized data flow. Leica Viva solutions include Active Customer Care (ACC) with an expansive organization of knowledgeable professionals to provide valuable support, training and service whenever needed. Combined with innovative services such as online support in the field with Leica Active Assist and an instant data exchange between field and office with Leica Exchange, Leica Viva enables continuous productivity.

    Webinar on Multi-GNSS OEM

    Thursday, June 5
    10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. GMT

    GPS World’s upcoming webinar features an expert panel with informed viewpoints from GNSS high-precision and mass-market manufacturing, signal simulation, and alternative PNT providers. Registration is free.

  • Leica Offers Next-Generation Mobile Mapping Platform, Pegasus:Two

    Leica Offers Next-Generation Mobile Mapping Platform, Pegasus:Two

    PegasusTwo_application-W
    photo: Leica

    Leica Geosystems has introduced its next generation vehicle-independent mobile mapping platform, the Pegasus:Two. By calibrating imagery and LiDAR point cloud data, the Pegasus:Two delivers highly accurate and economical geospatial data in a 360° spherical view while providing two methods for extracting data — either through LiDAR or via photogrammetry.

    With its enhanced sensor platform using six horizontal cameras, plus an optional rear camera and a skyward view camera, a single high-speed LiDAR sensor, and an external output for an additional sensor, the Pegasus:Two enables unlimited mobile mapping applications, from pavement analysis to geo-referencing railways systems, now possible within the same platform, the company said.

    From hardware to post-processing, Pegasus:Two allows economic data collection by balancing the largest pixel to sensor ratio on the market (5.5 x 5.5 µm), delivering extremely high image resolution, in a 4-MB camera and using a single low-noise, high-speed profiler. Users can download data via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet, or even faster by using the latest USB3 interface, by means of a multi-core, industrial PC with 1-TB storage and a solid state drive, enabling longer missions. An optional rotation mount, designed specifically for the Leica ScanStation P20, also makes mounting the terrestrial scanner upside down or right side up while also enabling left or right rotation.

    The Pegasus:Two in its new streamlined housing with aerodynamic design.
    The Pegasus:Two in its new streamlined housing with aerodynamic design.

    Expanding on the success of Leica Geosystems’ mobile mapping software, the latest software now offers semi-automatic object extraction features, which enable easy-to-use two-click GIS metadata extraction or calculation of distances on-the-fly directly into ArcGIS for Desktop software.

    Leica Geosystems also introduces an external timing output and trigger signal for use with a variety of additional sensors, from a thermal camera, to ground penetrating radar, sonar, or even a pollution monitor. The External Trigger feature synchronizes time stamping and coordinates user data with one simple click, making 3D mobile mapping very user-friendly.

    Urban canyons. Equipped with the NovAtel’s ProPak6 high-precision receiver for the most demanding city or rugged environments, the Pegasus:Two offers users a truly global system. It is a future-proof investment that tracks signals of all available constellations, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou as well as L-band, SBAS, and QZSS band coverage to ensure the best signal even when moving through urban canyons. The system provides a low noise, 200hz Inertial Measurement Unit for tracking the vehicle path thereby ensuring data is positioned accurately.

    Aerodynamic design. The Leica Pegasus:Two mobile mapping system now comes with a new streamlined and compact look and continues to fit in only two travel cases. A convenient handle surrounding the unit enables easy mounting on and off your vehicles. The Pegasus:Two is a vehicle-independent system with a rechargeable 11 hour battery, and can be used on any moving platform.

    “The Leica Pegasus:Two platform is a unique complete solution,” said Stuart Woods, vice president for Leica Geosystems Geospatial Division. “By providing software and hardware designed to seamlessly work together, users not only receive the latest in mobile mapping technology but also optimal performance and faster workflows. By keeping the platform vehicle independent and adding new sensor options, we encourage our customers to find new ways, to try out different sensors, new revenue models, and new places to measure. ”

    Along with the Pegasus:Two, the advanced prototype, Pegasus:T2, a trolley based mobile system weighing less than 20 kilograms will also be on display at the HxGN LIVE 2014 Conference in Las Vegas.

  • Altus Announces Second-Generation GNSS RTK Rover

    Altus Announces Second-Generation GNSS RTK Rover

    The Altus APS-NR2.
    The Altus APS-NR2.

    Altus Positioning Systems has introduced its new APS-NR2 RTK surveying receiver. The new product is being previewed at the 2014 Geo Business conference and exhibition in London May 28-29, and will be commercially available in July.

    “The APS-NR2 provides a powerful combination of high GNSS RTK performance, light weight, low power consumption, versatile Quad-band modem, remote Web-based access and connectivity with Esri’s cloud-based platform,” said Neil Vancans, Altus president and CEO. “The result is a versatile product designed to enhance productivity and minimize downtime in the field for a wide range of surveying and geolocation jobs.”

    The APS-NR2 is Altus’ second-generation RTK rover, building on the highly successful APS-3 product series. It features an easily accessible on-board web interface and integrated Wi-Fi for easy remote configuration and status monitoring, as well as Bluetooth for real-time data streaming, providing true cable-free operation. In parallel to RTK positioning, data can be recorded on a removable 2-GB SD memory card for post-processing.

    The APS-NR2 is built around a low-power 132-channel GPS/GLONASS L1/L2/L2C SBAS receiver, which offers robust RTK performance, as well as DGPS capability. The internal 3.5G Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE cellular modem supports RTK network connectivity. Dual internal cellular antennae ensure a positive signal lock and minimize disruptions due to dropped calls.

    The new Altus receiver comes with two Li-Ion batteries. It has a built-in USB battery charger, as well as a separate two-bay external charger. The batteries are hot-swappable, allowing uninterrupted productivity on the job.

    With Altus’ open-architecture philosophy, the user has a choice of data collector software from Carlson SurvCE, MicroSurvey FIELDGenius or direct interface to Esri ArcGIS Online, as well as proprietary customer-developed software.

    The APS-NR2 doesn’t sacrifice essential processing power or connectivity and still weighs only 0.7 kg (1.5 lbs). The compact receiver is just 69 mm (2.7 in) high and 167 mm (6.6 in) in diameter. The rugged unit is waterproof to IP67 and has an operating temperature range of -40 to +85°C.

  • Photos: GEO Business 2014 in London

    GPS World Publisher Steve Copley is attending GEO Business 2014, where GPS World is a sponsor. The show is being held in London this week. He’s been tweeting from the show. Follow his tweets here, and GPS World’s Twitter account here.

    GEO Business 2014 is a new geospatial event for everyone involved in the gathering storing, processing and delivering of geospatial information. It is organized in collaboration with The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES), The Association for Geographic Information (AGI), The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and The Survey Association (TSA).

  • Applanix, American Aerospace Partner on Mapping for UAVs

    Applanix, American Aerospace Partner on Mapping for UAVs

    AAAI-Applanix-system
    photo: AAAI

    Applanix Corp. and American Aerospace Advisors, Inc. (AAAI), have agreed on an OEM supply agreement that will incorporate Applanix direct georeferencing technology into AAAI’s unmanned aerial platforms. The collaboration creates a commercially available professional-grade mapping UAV system for civilian applications such as pipeline monitoring, power line surveys and emergency-response mapping.

    The availability of the system follows a series of successful test flights of AAAI’s RS-16 Unmanned Aircraft System equipped with Applanix’ DMS-UAV aerial photogrammetry payload with commercially available inertial technology. Joint teams from Applanix and AAAI planned and flew a sequence of missions to evaluate the capabilities, including the ability to provide highly accurate, directly georeferenced and orthorectified aerial imagery without the need for ground control points or aerial triangulation calculations.

    The system — consisting of the airframe, its avionics, mobile ground control station, telemetry systems and the digital mapping payload — performed according to expectations and successfully produced high-quality imagery.

    The announcement was made at AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2014 Conference in Orlando Florida, where the most comprehensive collection of unmanned systems for every domain – air, ground and marine – are on display. A video of the system can be watched here.

    “The OEM supply agreement with Applanix formalizes our plans to transform the aerial mapping industry by creating an integrated, professional-grade mapping system for unmanned flight,” David Yoel, CEO of American Aerospace Advisors, said. “For civilian aerial survey projects, this can mean safer operations, lower costs and more efficient deployments while still delivering very high accuracy. We are very pleased to announce the availability of the RS-16 Direct Mapping Solution.”

    “We believe this is a ground-breaking development for the airborne imaging systems market,” Joe Hutton, Director of Inertial Technology and Airborne Products at Applanix, said. “There has been a lot of attention on developing a commercial, directly georeferenced mapping solution for UAVs, and now it is a reality.”

    The RS-16 with the Applanix DMS payload is available through American Aerospace Advisors directly, for sale to jurisdictions where it is permitted to fly civilian UAV systems.

  • Leica Geosystems Offers CC55 Controller

    The Leica iCON CC55 controller is part of the Leica iCON portfolio.
    The Leica iCON CC55 controller is part of the Leica iCON portfolio.

    Leica_ICON_CC55_with_screen-WLeica Geosystems now offers the Leica iCON CC55 controller, a versatile and rugged PDA with a 3.5-inch color display, as part of its iCON construction portfolio. The handheld controls Leica iCON sensors, runs the iCONstruct field software, and has a QuadraClear sunlight readable display and a fast 1-GHz processor.

    The smaller Leica iCON CC55 handheld controller, as well as the seven-inch Tablet PC Leica iCON CC65/66 field controller, are both fully integrated into Leica Geosystems’ iCON portfolio of hardware and software solutions. It runs the Leica iCON build or site software to display and connect measured points for as-built data capturing or to lay out points and construction lines directly from the digital construction plan. The controller provides flexible options for data communication and an extensive data storage.

    Leica_iCON_CC55_application-WThe Leica iCON CC55 can be used to control the Leica iCON robot total stations, enabling one-person operation, saving time and increasing productivity for construction layout tasks and as-built checks, the company said. The optional Long-Range Bluetooth allows communication with the iCON robot 50 at distances of more than 350 m/1150 feet. Alternatively, the iCON CC55 can be used as a data logger with the Leica Builder manual total station. Together with the versatile Leica iCON gps 60 SmartAntenna, the iCON CC55 creates a compact and light-weight GPS rover system.

    The iCON CC55 runs the state-of-the-art Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 operating system and comes with 256MB NAND Flash memory and 8 GB of extended storage, enabling extensive data process and storage capacity. An internal WLAN module and Long-Range Bluetooth offer users impressive distance communication, the company said, and the longer life 5.6Ah battery lets users easily complete a full day’s work. The iCON CC55 also comes equipped with a 5-MP camera so users can document their construction projects.