Topcon Positioning Group announces advances in its direct communication between the Bentley Systems design applications and the Topcon suite of software solutions with the release of MAGNET 4.3.1.
The MAGNET Enterprise Data Manager is designed to allow operators to directly access Bentley ProjectWise data with MAGNET Field, MAGNET Office or MAGNET Enterprise applications.
“The updates are part of our commitment to working with third-party software applications, such as the Bentley offering, to provide efficient data exchange and a seamless workflow environment,” said Jason Hallett, Topcon vice president of global product management. “When connected to MAGNET Enterprise from MAGNET Field, you can directly upload and download data from ProjectWise, allowing surveyors or machine control model-builders upload or download iModels or other project file types.”
The integration is designed to simplify data transfer from design to field, with the unique ability to read and import only the data users need for their projects.
“It builds upon our industry-first ability to offer ‘round trip’ iModels — sending them directly to field operators who can use and update them directly on the jobs site, and then send the updated iModels from the field back to Bentley ProjectWise,” Hallett said.
Solution doubles DigitalGlobe’s capacity to collect 30-centimeter commercial satellite imagery.
Raytheon Company has been selected by DigitalGlobe as the next-generation WorldView Legion satellite imaging constellation payload provider.
Under the contract, Raytheon will deliver the telescopes, detectors and combined electronics to Space Systems Loral, the WorldView Legion space vehicle integrator.
Raytheon’s new payload doubles DigitalGlobe’s capacity to capture multispectral and 30 cm imagery, while tripling to quadrupling the company’s capacity to image high-demand areas.
Once the WorldView Legion constellation is on orbit, DigitalGlobe’s combined constellation will be able to image the most rapidly changing areas on Earth every 20 to 30 minutes, from sunup to sundown. WorldView Legion will begin launching in 2020.
“We’re leveraging 45 years of extensive global experience in space imaging to provide DigitalGlobe with an unmatched view of the world from space,” said Rick Yuse, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems president.
Raytheon’s payload solution maximizes efficiencies while maintaining quality, extending mission life, delivering a larger field of view and increasing coverage area.
“DigitalGlobe is proud to select Raytheon to develop the imaging payloads for our next-generation WorldView Legion satellite constellation,” said Walter Scott, DigitalGlobe founder, EVP and CTO. “We have exceptional confidence in the quality, performance and value of Raytheon’s instrument design, which will give our customers even greater insights into global events of significance and allow them to make critical decisions with confidence for many years to come.”
Following successful test flights, Insitu’s ScanEagle helps combat Oregon wildfire.
UAV company Insitu and Esri have successfully completed test flights on a new way to support firefighting efforts using software for firefighters and first responders.
The flights were held at the Warm Springs Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Test Range in Oregon. The test site is a Pan Pacific FAA UAS Test Site for commercial UAS testing. The national FAA test site program facilitates the UAS industry in meeting strict customer needs and qualifications.
Insitu is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company.
A week after successfully completing customer acceptance test flights, Insitu, which has more than one million operational UAS flight hours, deployed its INEXA Solutions professional aerial remote sensing teams to aid firefighters in suppressing the Eagle Creek fire in Oregon.
Onlookers watch the fire burn in the Columbia Gorge on Sept. 4. The fire is now contained. (Photo: U.S. Forest Service)
Collaborating with customers to identify business challenges, INEXA Solutions professionals use a continually expanding suite of capabilities such as INEXA Control (ground-based command and control), INEXA Cloud, INEXA manned and unmanned air vehicles including ScanEagle, and INEXA sensors and analytics to provide custom solutions and answers to mitigate business challenges from seabed to space.
Coordinating with the Oregon Department of Forestry and other governing entities, Insitu’s ScanEagle system provided optimal, near real-time data for firefighters and first responders, resulting in heightened emergency response efforts, increased situational awareness and safety, and supported planning and resource allocation.
Equipped with electro-optical (EO) for daylight and infrared (IR) video for nighttime flights, along with mid-wave sensors, the ScanEagle surveyed fire lines at night over the Eagle Creek wildfire, which had spread to nearly 49,000 acres throughout the Columbia River Gorge region.
The ScanEagle can supplement manned firefighting fleets by operating during dense smoke and at night, when manned aircraft typically cannot fly. Infrared camera technology can penetrate smoke and gather and disseminate georeferenced still images of points of interest. These images allow geographic information system (GIS) specialists to perform analysis using Esri’s ArcGIS software.
“Throughout the difficult Eagle Creek wildfire, our thoughts have been with our friends and neighbors impacted by this unfortunate event,” said Mark Bauman, vice president and co-general manager, Insitu Commercial. “We stand prepared to assist local authorities with ongoing operations in any way we can, and we extend our gratitude to all of those working hard to contain the fire.”
ScanEagle poised for launch at Eagle Creek, Oregon, fire.
As the sole aviation overwatch within the temporary flight restriction, the ScanEagle provided persistent nighttime oversight and monitored the progression of the fire. Insitu coordinated manned and unmanned aviation assets and through data collection, analysis and integration capabilities, produced near real-time georeferenced spatial data (maps tied to specific known locations).
In this way, incident commanders, firefighters, and first responders had data that delivered updated incident perimeter maps, identified spot fires, located fire lines and hotspots, and provided near real-time video feed and still images of critical infrastructure, historical structures and more.
“Prior to pursuing any new effort, we consider the reasons we exist as a company — we call it our ‘why,’ explains Jon Damush, Insitu’s chief growth officer. “Insitu’s ‘why’ is to pioneer and innovate in all that we do to positively impact people’s lives and change the course of history,” he continues. “This statement guides our actions and investments, and is precisely why we are doing the things we are doing to help those in need with our unique technologies and professional approach to aviation.”
Hexagon AB has acquired Luciad, a Belgian-based software company specializing in the visualization and analysis of real-time geospatial information.
Luciad’s visualization technologies support live connections to dynamic sensor feeds in a 3D environment. The result is a 5D digital reality — real-time, rapid fusion of multi-source content and the ability to perform analytics on-the-fly.
These intuitive command and control systems benefit all kinds of applications, from public safety to smart cities to defense and intelligence, enabling users to make critical decisions based on changing information in real time.
“This acquisition strengthens Hexagon’s ability to deliver smart digital realities, enhancing our Smart M.App platform with 3D, 4D (real-time sensor feed integration) and 5D (dynamic analytics) capabilities,” said Hexagon president and CEO Ola Rollén. “The ability to rapidly integrate sensor data in a visually compelling environment provides the geospatial location intelligence and situational awareness necessary for mission critical operations.”
Luciad has more than 100 highly-skilled professionals in eight countries, with 100,000 users of its technology globally.
Luciad will be fully consolidated as of today, operating within Hexagon’s Geospatial division. The company’s turnover for 2016 amounted to 16 MEUR.
The Riegl VQ-780i waveform processing airborne laser scanner is a high-performance, rugged, lightweight and compact airborne mapping sensor designed for ultra-wide-area mapping and high productivity.
The versatile system is designed for highly efficient data acquisition at low, mid and high altitudes, covering a variety of different airborne laser scanning applications from high-density to ultra-wide-area mapping.
The system provides clutter-free point clouds with high accuracy, excellent vertical target resolution, calibrated reflectance readings and pulse shape deviation for unsurpassed information content on each single measurement.
The Riegl VQ-1560i-DW dual wavelength waveform processing airborne lidar scanning system is for high-point-density mapping applications. The new airborne lidar scanning system offers two lidar channels of different wavelengths: green and infrared (IR).
The two wavelengths allow the acquisition of scan data of complementary information content, delivering two independent reflectance distribution maps and enhanced target characterization, one per laser wavelength.
The VQ-880-GH topo-hydrographic airborne laser scanning system has online waveform processing and full waveform recording. It is a fully integrated airborne laser scanning system for combined hydrographic and topographic surveying with an form factor with reduced height optimized for helicopter integrations.
The system is offered with an integrated and factory-calibrated high-end GNSS/IMU system and up to two cameras. The design allows flexible application of these components to meet specific requirements.
DJI has launched a new Local Data Mode that stops internet traffic to and from its DJI Pilot app, providing enhanced data privacy assurances for sensitive government and enterprise customers.
Local Data Mode will be available in the next update on the DJI Pilot app on CrystalSky and for select Android tablets.
When an operator activates Local Data Mode, the app will stop sending or receiving any data over the internet. This adds an additional layer of security for operators of flights involving critical infrastructure, governmental projects or other sensitive missions.
“We are creating Local Data Mode to address the needs of our enterprise customers, including public and private organizations that are using DJI technology to perform sensitive operations around the world,” said Brendan Schulman, DJI’s vice p resident of policy and legal affairs. “DJI is committed to protecting the privacy of its customers’ photos, videos and flight logs. Local Data Mode will provide added assurances for customers with heightened data security needs.”
Since Local Data Mode blocks all internet data, the DJI Pilot app will not be able to detect the location of the user or show map and geofencing information such as No Fly Zones and temporary flight restrictions, nor will it notify drone operators of firmware updates.
Telemetry data on flight logs such as altitude, distance or speed will remain stored on the aircraft even if the user deactivates Local Data Mode.
Whether Local Data Mode is activated or not, photos and videos captured by the user are always stored on the drone’s SD card and are only shared if the user chooses to upload them online to the SkyPixel community, social media or other websites.
When using Local Data Mode, drone operators are reminded that they are solely responsible for the safety of their flight operation and that they understand that features that may enhance and support the safety of their operations, but that rely on internet connectivity, are no longer available.
Drone operators can enable Local Data Mode by opening the DJI Pilot app, clicking on “Activate LDM Mode” and entering a password which will be required to deactivate Local Data Mode when they decide to go online again.
New drones will still have to be activated first by logging into the user’s DJI account with an email and a password. To ensure the drone has the latest firmware, users can download and update it while they have internet connectivity before re-activating Local Data Mode.
The Local Data Mode feature may not be available in locations where an internet connection is required or highly advisable due to local regulations.
The Kenyan government will be using SimActive’s Correlator3D to map mining activities. The software will be used to generate orthomosaics, contour lines and digital terrain models of fluorspar mines in the Kerio valley in Kenya.
The Directorate of Resource Surveys & Remote Sensing (DRSRS) under the Ministry of Mining in Kenya chose the software.
“The DRSRS provides the Ministry of Mining with spatial information, processing hundreds of images to visualize settlements affected by mining activities to advise the Government of Kenya on compensation plans,” said Charles Situma, deputy director of the project. “SimActive’s availability of experts internally allows us to receive tailored solutions to our requests, further expediting our processing.”
“We are proud to have Kenya as another of our many government users,” said Dr Philippe Simard, President of SimActive. “Correlator3D provides the diverse tools and processing power required for intensive mining applications.”
Trimble made several product announcements at Intergeo 2017, the world’s largest conference on geodesy, geoinformatics and land management.
The new solutions include:
Trimble C5 and C3 mechanical total stations
The Trimble C5 and Trimble C3 mechanical total stations are the only mechanical total stations in the industry to come standard with autofocus technology. With premium-quality Nikon optics, the new C-Series reduces time in the field with improved measuring speed and the longest EDM range of any Trimble conventional instrument.
Trimble T10
Trimble T10 10-inch tablet
The T10 is a high-performance, large-screen device suitable for a variety of survey and GIS applications that provides the processing power of a laptop computer in tablet form to enhance efficiencies for geospatial users in the field. (Now you only need one device for collecting and processing data while out on the job.)
Trimble Business Center and Trimble Clarity
The newest version of Trimble Business Center introduces enhancements and new capabilities to process high-accuracy GNSS data, create CAD deliverables, and leverage full data traceability through the project lifecycle.
Trimble Business Center version 4.0 introduced new capabilities to process high-accuracy GNSS data with confidence, create CAD deliverables and leverage full data traceability throughout the project lifecycle. Surveyors can obtain greater field flexibility without compromising quality via the addition of a new GNSS processing engine that increases solution reliability for baselines exceeding several hundred kilometers/miles.
Version 4.0 also extends the survey CAD capabilities including text editing, ortho drafting and coordinate geometry (COGO) tools that provide a comprehensive set of tools for rapidly producing end-client deliverables. A new History Log feature captures all data changes throughout the project, from GNSS processing to CAD deliverable, providing greater workflow transparency, data traceability and ultimate confidence.
Clarity by Trimble.
Trimble Clarity is a new cloud-based application within the Trimble Connect collaboration platform that enables surveyors to easily share rich project data and imagery, allowing clients — even those who have no experience with engineering software — to view and use data in a web browser.
The result is improved workflow efficiencies and greater situational awareness that enable more informed decision-making.
Users can perform 3D measurements, annotate objects and quickly collaborate with project stakeholders. Multidiscipline teams now have access to a single source of geospatial data that enables more accurate and informed decisions, increases productivity, minimizes rework and reduces project delays.
Trimble Clarity reduces the time required for large file transfers and eliminates the need for specialized software knowledge to get value from laser scanning deliverables.
Trimble eCognition.
Trimble eCognition
The latest version of eCognition adds 3D point cloud analytics and deep learning technology so you can perform a broader range of geospatial analysis with a greater level of control.
Trimble GEDO IMS System
This new addition to Trimble’s track survey and scanning rail portfolio is lightweight, flexible and fast, combining an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with scanning and geodetic sensors for surveying railway lines and documenting assets along the track.
The trolley system is lightweight, flexible and fast. It combines an IMU with scanning and geodetic sensors for surveying railway lines and documenting assets along the track.
The GEDO IMS System provides highly accurate as-built survey documentation of the track and 3D point clouds for asset data collection along the track. The trolley system’s lightweight design is ideal for single-crew operation and on projects near active railway lines. GEDO IMS Field Software and the GEDO Office Software Suite enable smooth data flow between the field and the office. GEDO Scan Office provides enhanced processing for asset data collection and clearance applications.
The basic Trimble GEDO IMS System consists of the Trimble GEDO CE 2.0 Trolley System, Trimble GEDO IMU Unit, Trimble Tablet PC and the Trimble GEDO IMS Field and GEDO Office Software. For mapping applications it can be combined with the Trimble TX6 and TX8 laser scanners.
GeoMax, professional surveying and construction product provider, has announced the X-PAD Office Fusion, the all-in-one office software combining data from multiple sensors into one easy-to-use interface.
X-PAD Office Fusion software manages, combines and processes data from GNSS receivers, total stations, laser scanners and other sensors in one single environment whether from GeoMax or any other provider in the market. There is no need to export the data from one program to another, and X-PAD also offers all CAD features.
The new software handles a multitude of different types of data: measurements, coordinates, drawings and point clouds. Large quantities of data can be managed in the fastest way with maximum accuracy. The software automatically detects the common points between the point clouds and performs a first rough alignment.
The Bundle Adjustment feature performs the final and accurate alignment in order to reduce errors. Personalized reports are then created with little effort.
“The choice to use X-PAD Office Fusion is due precisely to its ability to handle different data and process: traditional topographic data with both GPS and laser scanners processes,” said Federico Ferrari, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara. “X-PAD Office Fusion has made it easy to integrate captured data with GeoMax Zoom 300 and those acquired through photo modeling to get a complete 3D model of inaccessible areas, including surveys with traditional laser scanners.
“The ability to extract drawings directly from X-Fusion PAD without using other CAD products, including through the bubble view, makes it an extremely fast and practical product, even for those who do not have specific surveying skills, such as archaeologists like us. A simple and intelligent interface and a great 3D data management engine make X-PAD Office Fusion a truly unique product and easy-to-use and easy-to-teach, enabling us to give more time for critical analysis than using the software itself.”
LizardTech, a provider of software solutions for managing and distributing geospatial content, has been awarded a U.S. patent for the compression of lidar point clouds (US 9753124).
The patented technology provides lossless compression of point clouds captured by airborne lidar sensors or terrestrial laser scanners for easy and cost-effective processing, storage and transmission of data sets.
Point cloud data goes from staggering to manageable when lidar files are compressed to the MrSID format.
“Lidar systems capture terabytes of data containing rich information that can be difficult to exploit due to the difficulty processing such massive files,” said John Hayes, the LizardTech senior engineer who received the patent. “Our lidar compression technique allows users to maximize their return on investment in point cloud data collection.”
LizardTech developed the lidar compression technology in 2009 by leveraging the wavelet transformation algorithms used to compress satellite and aerial image data sets into MrSID formats. The point cloud compression technique was first released as a stand-alone LizardTech product called LiDAR Compressor and then integrated into GeoExpress in 2015.
GeoExpress is LizardTech’s flagship software product originally created to enable geospatial professionals to manipulate digital satellite/aerial image and losslessly compress them to industry-standard MrSID or JPEG2000 files. The addition of lidar handling gave GeoExpress the ability to natively compress lidar data to MrSID and LAZ formats with no loss of data content, saving up to 75% on storage, and time in processing files.
Lidar systems are flown extensively on aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles to collect highly accurate measurements of terrain elevations for a variety of mapping applications.
Another form of lidar, known as terrestrial laser scanning, captures point clouds at ground level — both inside and outside of building structures — for visualization of crime scenes, re-creation of accident sites, and 3D modeling of building interiors.
“Lasers are even being mounted on earth-moving equipment at construction sites for real-time capture of grading progress so that engineering managers can make on-the-spot decisions,” said Toby Martin, vice president of development and strategy at Extensis. “Lidar compression makes this possible and is revolutionizing workflows in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.”
The lidar compression algorithms can be licensed via the LizardTech SDK to incorporate the technology into third-party geospatial software solutions. Already, LizardTech is seeing interest in this technology from hardware sensor developers who want to place data compression capabilities at the source of collection.
The Bathymetrics Data Portal allows users to search, purchase and automatically download water-depth information directly from an online store to their computer.
The Bathymetrics Data Portal is a combined offering by DHI, experts in water environments; TCarta, a global provider of marine geospatial products; and powered by DigitalGlobe, provider of high-resolution satellite imagery.
The dedicated commercial bathymetry portal offers continuously expanding 2m Bathymetry data in shallow water areas and a global database of interpolated 90m bathymetry. The portal allows users to search for data in their area of interest and purchase what they need. Data is priced by the square kilometer; the customer pays online with credit card and can download the data shortly after.
“We are very excited about this launch, as we have made direct access to off-the-shelf bathymetry data very easy and intuitive,” said DHI COO, Jacob Høst-Madsen. “The shop marks an important milestone in our continued quest to develop and offer high quality, affordable bathymetry data”
Bathymetric products are used extensively by organizations involved in energy infrastructure development, port construction, environmental monitoring, aquaculture planning and hydrodynamic modeling.
“The per-kilometer pricing model puts high-quality bathymetric data within easy reach of organizations of any size in all industries,” said TCarta CEO David Critchley. “One-person engineering shops, academic entities and other organizations with limited budgets can now engage in complex offshore projects.”
The portal is constantly being updated with new and improved data, providing users with the best available bathymetric information around the world.
Measure, a U.S. provider of drone services to enterprise customers, has added turnkey wind farm inspection capabilities to its portfolio of aerial data collection solutions.
Wind farm operators can outsource preventive maintenance inspections to Measure’s drone pilots and data analysts for fast, accurate, safe and timely problem identification. The service helps avert critical turbine failures and efficiency losses while reducing repair downtime and its associated revenue impact.
The company’s drone inspection solution has already been used to successfully examine more than 400 MW of wind farms. The package spans all inspection and reporting functions, including state-of-the-art drone equipment, safe and insured flights by experienced drone pilots, efficient data processing that pinpoints both blade damage and severity, and damage reports and analytics available through a secure online portal.
Dry Lake Wind Power Project, Arizona (Photo: U.S. DOE)
Measure’s new wind farm inspection solution expands the company’s services to the renewable energy sector, which also include a robust suite of drone inspection solutions for solar plants that was announced in July.
The suite includes solar-panel inspections, drone-based site overview and maintenance, site shading and terrain analysis, thermal inverter scans, tracker misalignment detection and vegetation management analysis.
Benefits of Measure’s drone-based blade and tower inspections include:
75% faster inspections than other methods, averaging 30 minutes or less per turbine compared to as much as two hours for manned inspections. This reduces excessive time commitments and allows large wind farms to be inspected more frequently. It also reduces labor costs for inspection and frees employees for other tasks.
Decreased injury risk in the field, with no threat of falls to inspectors climbing turbine structures or blades.
Better defect and damage detection because drones get closer to turbine blades than ground cameras, capturing clearer images. Undetected defects on the blades can result in continuous efficiency losses as high as 6% and associated revenue loss of up to $10,000 annually per turbine.
Maximized turbine availability and revenue generation through early problem detection that helps prevent critical failures and associated downtime for repairs.
Actionable data, including classified damage reports and historical portfolio analysis documenting turbine defects, failure rates and efficiency losses over time. Damage reports can be customized to display only the information needed by blade repair technicians with a few clicks.
“Many wind farms don’t inspect their turbines on a preventive maintenance basis, and those that do use ground crews with conventional cameras and zoom lenses. Under both conditions, there is a risk of failing to detect turbine damage or structural defects on blades that can worsen over time and lead to a catastrophic failure,” said Harjeet Johal, Measure vice president of energy infrastructure and a 10-year veteran of the renewable energy industry with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. “Our drone-based inspections provide multiple advantages that can help wind farm operators operate at peak capacity.”
“Our global wind portfolio is currently 1,033 MW with 877 MW in the U.S. alone. Knowing the health of our wind assets is essential for us to provide reliable power to our customers,” said Adam Brown, U.S. Drone Program Lead at The AES Corporation, a Fortune 200 global power company. “Using drones to inspect the blades and towers makes it safer for our people as they can stay firmly on the ground while still being able to inspect, at scale, hundreds of wind turbines to ensure they have the highest availability.”
