Tag: Singapore

  • New Geodash intends to bring map-free, AI-driven precision spraying to industrial agriculture

    New Geodash intends to bring map-free, AI-driven precision spraying to industrial agriculture

    Joint venture between DroneDash and Geodnet targets oil palm, sugarcane and broad-acre operations across Southeast Asia, the United States and South America.

    DroneDash Technologies and Geonet are forming Geodash Aerosystems Pte. Ltd. — a Singapore-incorporated joint venture to develop a new class of agricultural spraying drone for large-scale, industrial farming operations. Commercial deployment is set for Q3 2026.

    Unlike conventional agriculture drones that require repeated manual pre-mapping before each deployment, Geodash Aerosystems’ platform uses real-time AI vision and centimeter-accurate RTK positioning to perceive, navigate, and adapt dynamically during flight. The result is faster deployment, lower operating costs, and continuous agronomic intelligence from the same system that does the spraying.

    The GDA80-120 heavy-lift agricultural UAV has with centimeter-level RTK accuracy and autonomous AI vision. (Credit: GeoDash)
    Credit: DroneDash

    Most agricultural spraying drones in operation were adapted from general-purpose UAV platforms. Before each deployment, operators must manually survey and map the field, generate static flight plans, and repeat the entire process whenever terrain, planting patterns, or canopy profiles change. In oil palm plantations and large-scale row-crop environments, this mapping overhead directly limits how many hectares a team can cover and how quickly they can respond to emerging crop conditions.

    The operational constraints are compounded the larger the estate. Manual pre-survey and field mapping is required before each deployment. Static flight plans must be recreated when terrain or canopy profiles change. Plans have limited adaptability to uneven terrain and mixed-age crops, when erosion or other changes occur.

    Geodash Aerosystems’ drone architecture removes pre-mapping from the deployment workflow entirely. Using DroneDash’s proprietary AI vision system, the aircraft performs real-time perception of plantation structure, canopy height, and terrain features during flight. Geodnet’s RTK correction network delivers centimeter-level positional accuracy throughout each mission.

    This combination enables:

    • deployment without pre-mapping or manual mission surveys
    • dynamic interpretation of rows, trees and operational zones
    • continuous altitude and spray-rate adjustment over variable terrain
    • rapid redeployment after replanting or field reconfiguration
    • tree-level and zone-specific variable-rate application.

    Situational awareness is generated dynamically during flight — not through a separate pre-deployment process. Each aircraft maintains geofencing controls, safety constraints, and full operational data logging for regulatory compliance and audit traceability.

    Agronomic Intelligence Layer

    Each GEODASH Aerosystems drone is integrated with DroneDash’s AI Smart Farming backend, which transforms every operational flight into a continuous data-collection activity. Spraying missions generate field data used to produce:

    • canopy density and uniformity analysis
    • crop stress and anomaly detection
    • zone-level health scoring
    • spray effectiveness validation
    • terrain and drainage profiling
    • historical trend analysis across blocks and seasons.

    Backend AI analytics then deliver actionable decision support to plantation managers and agronomy teams: early indicators of pest, disease, or nutrient stress; identification of underperforming zones; optimized spray timing and dosage; and data-informed planning for replanting and fertilization. The drone functions as a continuous aerial intelligence layer, not a standalone spraying machine.

    Geodash Aerosystems targets industrial agriculture markets where deployment speed, terrain adaptability, and precision matter most: oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia; sugarcane, soybean and corn operations in the United States; and palm, sugar and broad-acre estates in South America.

    Pilot deployments and system validation have been conducted throughout 2025 and into early 2026 in collaboration with plantation operators. Commercial deployment is targeted for Q3 2026, following completion of manufacturing readiness and regulatory approvals.

  • GrabMaps in Singapore tests high-accuracy GPS system

    GrabMaps in Singapore tests high-accuracy GPS system

    Grab Singapore has launched a pilot program that uses high-accuracy lane-level GPS positioning to enhance the navigation experience for its driver and delivery partners in Singapore.

    The pilot — rolled out in collaboration with Oppo, Qualcomm Technologies and Swift Navigation — also marks the first deployment of high-accuracy GPS positioning on mobile phones and app integration in Southeast Asia, delivering unprecedented outdoor location accuracy for Grab’s partners.

    Grab is a leading app in Southeast Asia, operating across the deliveries, mobility and digital financial services sectors. It enables location-based services in more than 800 cities in eight Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

    As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the GrabMaps navigation experience, Grab continually explores new technologies to help improve accuracy and reliability for its driver and delivery partners. In dense urban environments such as Singapore’s high-rise buildings, multi-level roads, and underground networks can degrade standard GPS accuracy above 20 m, complicating navigation between pick-ups and drop-offs, and reducing ETA accuracy.

    By bringing together leading technology partners to create an advanced navigation system, Grab’s driver- and delivery-partners can now pinpoint their location with higher accuracy, improving navigation efficiency in GPS-challenging environments, while enabling smoother pick-ups and reduced cancellations.

    The pilot taps on the individual expertise of the following partners:

    • OPPO, which provides its Find N5 foldable phone with dual-frequency GNSS capable of supporting the latest positioning technology.
    • Qualcomm Technologies, which activates the Meter-Level Positioning for Mobile featured in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform that powers the OPPO Find N5, enabling real-time GPS correction signals.
    • Swift Navigation, which provides its cloud-based Skylark Precise Positioning Service that uses advanced atmospheric modeling to correct GPS signal errors and deliver 10x greater positioning accuracy. Skylark is built on top of a network of ground reference stations operated in partnership with network operators around the world, including Singapore Land Authority (SLA). SLA operates the Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network (SiReNT) which provides Skylark with accurate GNSS data to enable precise positioning for last mile ride hailing and logistics in Singapore.

    Together, these technologies power the pilot, with OPPO’s Find N5 foldable phone, Qualcomm Technologies’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, and Swift Navigation’s Skylark working in concert to deliver precision navigation experiences.

    With results of the pilot, Grab plans to extend the enhanced positioning capability to its proprietary Karta devices in the near future — broadening access to precise navigation technology and ensuring more driver and delivery partners can benefit from it over time.

  • Aerodyne Group promotes cross-border UAV delivery service

    Aerodyne Group promotes cross-border UAV delivery service

    Aerodyne Group, a UAV-based enterprise solutions provider, and Singapore-based DroneDash Technologies have partnered to initiate cross-border UAV delivery services. The collaboration is designed to advance logistics and supply chain capabilities between Malaysia and Singapore and enhance operational efficiency by offering a delivery solution that is five times faster than traditional sea freight.

    Under the partnership, UAVs will navigate through regulatory landscapes to secure necessary permits for establishing shore-to-shore operations along the Malaysia-Singapore corridor. The initiative focuses on safe navigation through congested maritime and aerial paths by offering a navigation system supported by satellite communications and 5G roaming.

    Commercial operations are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024 with UAVs capable of carrying up to 30 kg, reaching speeds of 150 km/h within a four-hour flight span.

    The service is designed for critical deliveries such as urgent documents, high-value electronics, medical supplies and perishable foods. The UAV has features to enhance cross-border logistics, including real-time tracking and advanced security protocols, including 256-bit encryption and blockchain technology for logistical oversight.

  • Position Partners, Teleo partner on autonomous heavy equipment technology

    Position Partners, Teleo partner on autonomous heavy equipment technology

    Image: Teleo
    Image: Teleo

    Position Partners has entered an agreement to partner with Teleo, a U.S. based company building autonomous technology for heavy equipment. Under the agreement, Position Partners will offer the full Teleo remote-operated and autonomous solutions across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

    Teleo’s system can be modified to any make and model of machine and includes the company’s proprietary software, a remote command center to operate the equipment, and a mesh network to enable two-way communication between the command center and machines.

    The system incorporates sensors, including high dynamic range cameras that deliver high-definition visibility and video footage both day and night.

    Once Teleo’s technology is integrated, users can control multiple machines, at multiple sites, from a single station.

    “With ongoing labour and skills shortages in the construction sector, there is more work to be done than there are people to do it,” Position Partners CEO Martin Nix said.

    Position Partners will offer the full Teleo solution to customers and support sales, installation and training in all countries in which the company operates including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

  • Geospatial and location intelligence capabilities highlight GCA 2023

    Geospatial and location intelligence capabilities highlight GCA 2023

    Geo Connect Asia (GCA) 2023, Asia’s leading international geospatial industry event, will take place March 15-16 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore.

    GCA 2023 will be held alongside Digital Construction Asia (DCA) 2023, and co-located with the launch of Drones Asia 2023. The three-in-one event, held fully in person, is expected to bring together more than 2,500 delegates and attendees from around the world.

    With the theme “Advancing sustainable and resilient geospatial solutions for an interconnected world”, a key focus of GCA 2023 will be the use of advancements in geospatial technology and data interoperability to address regional challenges.

    Supported by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), the event will feature more than 70 exhibiting companies and demonstrate the role played by the mix of geospatial, location intelligence, remote sensing and drone-based solutions.

    The two-day in-person conference comprises ten main sessions featuring more than 50 prominent industry speakers, panelists and moderators.

    Shining light on opportunities for enhancing productivity in the construction world, DCA 2023 will focus on showcasing digitalized processes and improved workflows. By enhancing ground-based equipment with aerial capabilities and implementing technology — such as artificial intelligence (AI), building information modeling and internet of things — current challenges in construction can now be targeted via novel and more efficient approaches.
    Drones Asia 2023 will address the commercial UAV industry. The newly launched and co-located show aims to create a focused platform for the complete drone ecosystem.

    Drones Asia 2023 plays a critical role in enabling AI in today’s geospatial marketplace, broadening the conversation as industry experts investigate the application of UAVs in the commercial and industrial world, exploring industrial adoption to improve productivity and efficiency.

    For the full programme and registration, visit the GCA 2023 website.

  • Seen & Heard: Singapore crashes, BeiDou’s supersonic flight

    Seen & Heard: Singapore crashes, BeiDou’s supersonic flight

    “Seen & Heard” is a monthly feature of GPS World magazine, traveling the world to capture interesting and unusual news stories involving the GNSS/PNT industry.


    Photo: tropicalpixsingapore/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
    Photo: tropicalpixsingapore/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

    3D Maps Solve Accidents

    3D mapping is helping forensic teams reconstruct fatal traffic accidents in Singapore, reports The Straits Times. In 2021, Singapore had 100 fatal road accidents. Experts use 3D replicas of the accident site and simulation models to recreate events leading to an accident and its aftermath. This helps forensic scientists determine whether the vehicles were speeding or flouting traffic rules. The National 3D Mapping Program of the Singapore Land Authority has mapped every road, lane and highway in Singapore with a 3D laser scanner and car-mounted cameras, and plans to update the maps regularly. Autonomous vehicles will also depend on the 3D point-cloud data.


    Diagram: U.S. General Accountability Office
    Diagram: U.S. General Accountability Office

    BeiDou Enables Hypersonic Flight

    In simulation drills using BeiDou, Chinese space scientists flew a hypersonic flight from Jinan, China, to New York over the Arctic Ocean, reports EurAsian Times. BeiDou facilitated contact between the command center on Earth and the hypersonic vehicle as it dodged enemy air defenses. Researchers claim using BeiDou provided a time lag of less than a second. They also claim to have optimized signal transmitters and designed new satellite-jumping methods to overcome communication challenges. China and Russia are the only countries with operational hypersonic weapons — Russia has used its Kinzhal hypersonic missile in the Ukraine war.


    Photo: adiartana/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
    Photo: adiartana/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

    Drone Mapping Aids Education

    Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Dr. Soetomo University are cooperating on aerial photo mapping using an unmanned aerial vehicle and GNSS hardware. BRIN’s Ocky Karna Radjasa said he expects that the two parties will extend the opportunity to advance research and innovation as well as bolster the quality of education in Indonesia. The university’s Nur Saidah expects BRIN’s support will increase, stating, “We still have limitation in laboratory facilities, so we seek industry cooperation. Let us hope that, as a result of this cooperation, we can receive help.”


    Photo: JacobH/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
    Photo: JacobH/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

    Navigating with Muons

    A new navigation system addresses shortcomings of GNSS using cosmic-ray muons. Muometric navigation enables positioning underground, indoors or underwater within a reference coordinate system defined by the 3D positions of multiple detectors, researcher Hiroyuki K. M. Tanaka explains in the June issue of Nature. Tanaka’s work shows the system offers a navigation quality almost equivalent to aboveground GPS-based handheld navigation by determining the distance between the reference frame and the receivers with a precision of 1 to 10 meters.

  • Companies join on shore-to-ship delivery with heavy-lift UAVs

    Companies join on shore-to-ship delivery with heavy-lift UAVs

    Photo: Skyports
    Photo: Skyports

    ST Engineering, Sumitomo Corp. and Skyports have formed a consortium to provide unmanned aircraft system (UAS) services for heavy-lift shore-to-ship parcel delivery in Singapore, home to one of the biggest ports in the world

    Each consortium member will use its respective operational and technological capabilities to expand the use of UAS for deliveries of maritime essentials to anchored vessels. During a nine-month pilot program, the consortium will engage key customers for maritime UAS deliveries, with the goal of establishing a delivery network capable of carrying parcel payloads of 10 kg.

    ST Engineering will provide the UAS technology using its end-to-end solution DroNet. Skyports will jointly conduct the beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight operations with ST Engineering. Sumitomo Corporation will provide go-to-market support, including its own fleet of vessels.

    As an unmanned systems participant in Singapore, ST Engineering has been testing and developing autonomous solutions to enable BVLOS UAS operations for shore-to-ship delivery in close collaboration with regulators and industry partners.

    Through funding support from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the group completed the initial development of a UAS for shore-to-ship parcel delivery based on the DroNet solution.

    Compared to the traditional form of delivery by boats, UAS operations can significantly slash response time and speed up turnaround for shore-to-ship delivery, in addition to reducing logistics costs. Replacing launch-boat delivery with a UAS service also helps reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the maritime industry’s overall efforts to operate sustainably.

  • SBG Systems strengthens presence in Asia with Singapore subsidiary

    SBG Systems strengthens presence in Asia with Singapore subsidiary

    Navsight marine solution. (Photo: SBG Systems)
    Navsight marine solution. (Photo: SBG Systems)

    SBG Systems has opened a new subsidiary in Singapore. Located in the center of the city, this new office brings sales and technical support to the Asian region.

    SBG Systems is a leading supplier of MEMS-based inertial measurement units (IMU) and inertial navigation systems (INS) for land, air and marine applications. The company has been developing its sales distribution channels in Asia for many years and has decided to bring sales and technical support closer to its clients and distributors by establishing a subsidiary in Singapore.

    “We wanted to get closer to our customers and distributors in the region,” said Thibault Bonnevie, SBG Systems’ CEO. “By getting geographically closer, we wish to build closer relations with our esteemed customers and distributors and provide them with the highest quality service they deserve.”

    The Singapore office will provide support to new and existing clients in the region with demonstrations, training and technical support.

  • Singapore to test camera, location system for traffic

    The Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) has begun testing an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera system with Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) beacons at various locations along expressways and major thoroughfares.

    The testing started March 26 and will conclude in 2019.

    An example of the equipment that will be mounted on existing roadside infrastructure. (Image: LTA)
    An example of the equipment that will be mounted on existing roadside infrastructure. (Image: LTA)

    The use of ANPR technology will facilitate enforcement, while DSRC beacons will also be installed in some areas to enhance positioning accuracy in Singapore’s highly urbanized environment.

    The tests will enable LTA to determine the performance and reliability of such technologies under various real-life environmental and traffic conditions for future traffic management systems that will leverage GNSS technology.

    The technologies being tested do not require heavy physical infrastructure and will be mounted on existing roadside infrastructure such as overhead bridges, overhead gantry signages and lamp posts, as well as EMAS gantries.

    Testing equipment will also be mounted onto vehicles, which will be deployed at localized areas such as Tuas South from April 2018, before expanding island-wide for testing.

    In 2016, LTA awarded a S$556 million contract to the consortium of NCS and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine System Asia to build a next-generation electronic road pricing system based on GNSS technology, reports Channel NewsAsia.

    The new system will allow motorists to be charged according to distance traveled on congested roads, removing the need for physical gantries.

    An example of the equipment that will be mounted onto vehicles. (Image: LTA)
    An example of the equipment that will be mounted onto vehicles. (Image: LTA)

  • Recreating Singapore in 3D

    Scope of Project:  The 3D mapping project encompasses all of Singapore — more than 700 square kilometers.
    Scope of Project: The 3D mapping project encompasses all of Singapore — more than 700 square kilometers.

    The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is engaged in a 3D mapping initiative to create and maintain a high-resolution survey-accurate 3D national map. Denmark and Switzerland have national 3D maps, and Hong Kong has mapped its central business district.

    3D virtual environments support city planning, decision-making and risk management. SLA’s project involves capturing vast amounts of data and creating 2D and 3D datasets in several formats. The project began in April 2014 with airborne data capture and modeling; the modeling of buildings is expected to be completed this month. Mobile data capturing and road modeling is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

    The 3D models of buildings and road infrastructure are being created from high-quality images and laser-scanning data. The 3D data is stored in the open information model CityGML, which allows for 3D spatial analysis, simulation and visualization.
    The project has employed multiple rapid mapping technologies such as oblique imagery, airborne laser scanning, mobile laser scanning and terrestrial scanning, resulting in more than 500 terabytes of data in multiple formats.

    Using Bentley Map software, the project team created, maintained and disseminated 3D information directly from the Oracle Spatial database platflorm. In November, Bentley Systems awarded the 3D mapping project the 2015 Be Inspired Award for Innovation in Government.

    Building Level of Detail 2: The Singapore project will model up to LOD2.The five levels of detail (LOD) in CityGML are LoD0 (terrain model), LoD1 (block models with no roof structures), LoD2 (explicit roof structures), LoD3 (detailed architectural models) and LoD4 (interior modeling).
    Building Level of Detail 2: The Singapore project will model up to LOD2.The five levels of detail (LOD) in CityGML are LoD0 (terrain model), LoD1 (block models with no roof structures), LoD2 (explicit roof structures), LoD3 (detailed architectural models) and LoD4 (interior modeling).

  • Singapore Joins with China to Develop Apps, Protect BeiDou Signals

    Singapore and China are jointly opening a center to develop applications for the BeiDou GNSS, according to a report in Space News. The nations also have signed a commercial agreement to create anti-jamming systems to protect BeiDou signals.

    At a briefing during the CommunicAsia show held in Singapore May 31-June 2, SpaceTime Technology Pte Ltd. and ST Electronics (Satcom & Sensor Systems) Pte Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding to “develop in Singapore an interference-resistant Beidou satellite positioning system,” SpaceNews report.

    The companies said the goal is to protect BeiDou signals from unintentional jamming in urban environments, where wireless devices occasionally overstep their radio-frequency boundaries.

  • Singapore Transit to Develop GNSS Road-Pricing System

    The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore is seeking to develop Singapore’s next-generation electronic road-pricing system, based on GNSS technology, reports AsiaOne News.

    LTA has shortlisted three consortia to participate in a tender to develop the system: NCS Pte Ltd & MHI Engine System Asia Pte Ltd, ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems) Pte Ltd, and Watchdata Technologies Pte Ltd & Beijing Watchdata System Co Ltd.

    The contract to design and develop the system is expected to be awarded in the second half of 2015. The system is to be implemented in 2020.

    Following an 18-month system evaluation test that concluded in December 2012, LTA said that it has found that it is technologically feasible to develop a GNSS-based road-pricing system in Singapore. The system will overcome the constraints of physical gantries, which are costly, difficult to maintain, and take up land space.

    The GNSS-based system will implement distance-based pricing along certain congested roads, where motorists will be charged proportionate to the distance traveled. An interactive and intelligent on-board unit in motorists’ vehicles will support additional services such as real-time traffic information and electronic payment for parking fees.

    LTA is considering new policies for off-peak travelers.