Tag: technology

INTERGEO Offers Showcase for UAS Exhibitors

INTERGEO 2015 will offer a new Interaerial Solutions hub in Hall 8 of Messe Stuttgart in response to the rapid development of the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market sector. The hub, or platform, includes a forum and a flight zone in a designated outdoor area. INTERGEO 2015 takes place Sept. 15-17 in Stuttgart, Germany.

“Compared to the presentations at INTERGEO 2010 alone, the proportion of UAS manufacturers and service providers from this sector grew continuously to over 10 percent of exhibitors in 2014. Our Interaerial Solutions platform provides a clearly structured showcase for visitors and users,” said Olaf Freier, CEO of INTERGEO organizer HINTE GmbH.

The Interaerial Solutions hub is a response to the rapid development in data acquisition, analysis and applications for unmanned flight systems. The new partnership with the German-speaking Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle Association — UAV Dach — underlines INTERGEO’s commitment to remaining the leading trade fair in the German-speaking region for UAS manufacturers and service providers, organizers said.

INTERGEO was the largest UAS trade fair in the German-speaking region in 2014, with around 70 manufacturers of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and service providers offering UAS-based applications.

April 29, 2015
CHC Offers LT500 Series Handheld for GIS
The CHC LT500.

CHC has launched the LT500 series of handheld GPS receivers. The LT500 series LT500N /LT500T/LT500H covers three accuracy ranges from sub-meter to centimeter accuracy and is a cost-effective full GNSS positioning solution for survey, construction and GIS professionals.

Powered by the Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 operating system, the LT500 is accurate, rugged and versatile, CHC said. User productivity is enhanced with the built-in gyroscope, an innovative laser plummet for positioning the accurate handheld receiver over a point, an E-compass for showing the direction and G-sensors for leveling.

The LT500 series is competitively priced and comes with several bundled software programs, including SurvCE, DigiTerra, MapCloud and other third-party software.

“CHC’s LT500 series is our brand-new GNSS handheld, which has amazing features and specifications. It meets more customers’ needs with more options and affordable prices,” said George Zhao, CEO of CHC. “The introduction of the LT500 demonstrates CHC’s commitment to provide the GIS community with a full spectrum of rugged, cost-effective professional GPS handhelds.”

The LT500 series features these specifications:
- 1-GHz high-speed CPU with 512-MB RAM and 16-GB flash memory built-in
- Three tracking options:
  - LT500H 120 channel GPS L1/L2/L2C,GLONASS G1,G2,BeiDou B1, Galileo E1 Tracking
  - LT500T 220 channel L1,G1,B1
  - LT500N 12 channel L1
- 13-hour battery: 11.1V, 2600mAh
- Gyro, laser-plummet, E-compass, G-sensor
The LT500 series is available immediately through CHC’s worldwide distribution channel.
April 29, 2015
Esri Maps Reveal Impacts from Nepal Earthquakes

Esri has added a pair of new maps to its Nepal Earthquake Maps gallery.

Nepal Earthquake Swipe Map

Compare pre- and post-earthquake imagery from Airbus Defence & Space to explore damage around Nepal. This map includes several bookmarks to help users navigate around key points of interest and landmarks that were damaged or destroyed.

Nepal Earthquake Impact Summary Map

Users can interactively explore demographic information about the people affected by the earthquake. The map fuses demographic data with the Shakemap from USGS to provide estimates about the population in each shake zone. Click a zone on the map to see how many people live in that area.

April 29, 2015
Esri Maps Reveal Impacts from Nepal Earthquakes

Esri has added a pair of new maps to its Nepal Earthquake Maps gallery.

Nepal Earthquake Swipe Map

Compare pre- and post-earthquake imagery from Airbus Defence & Space to explore damage around Nepal. This map includes several bookmarks to help users navigate around key points of interest and landmarks that were damaged or destroyed.

Nepal Earthquake Impact Summary Map

Users can interactively explore demographic information about the people affected by the earthquake. The map fuses demographic data with the Shakemap from USGS to provide estimates about the population in each shake zone. Click a zone on the map to see how many people live in that area.

April 29, 2015
CartoDB, DigitalGlobe Partner to Make Satellite Imagery Available

CartoDB and DigitalGlobe are partnering to bring satellite data to mapmakers everywhere in order to help them visually explain the events and information shaping the world. The new offering will provide users of all levels with access to the latest satellite content from DigitalGlobe, enabling journalists, publishers, bloggers and web developers to easily incorporate high-resolution imagery into their online content in a matter of minutes.

CartoDB is an open-source mapping and visualization tool that allows anyone to create interactive maps with their own data. The cloud-based solution includes the CartoDB Editor, an online tool that enables anyone to analyze and visualize location data, enabling publishing features and collaboration tools. Those looking to do even more with their data can use the CartoDB Platform, a mapping engine that offers a set of APIs and libraries to help users create maps, manage their data and run geospatial analyses. For examples of maps created using CartoDB, visit the Map Gallery.

“Our collaboration with DigitalGlobe is a significant development for anyone who publishes stories about our world,” said Javier de la Torre, co-founder and CEO of CartoDB. “This partnership will democratize access to high-resolution satellite imagery and data on-demand, incorporating satellite images into interactive stories and content at an affordable price point. The combined power of DigitalGlobe’s extremely current satellite imagery and CartoDB’s easy-to-use platform will enable creative storytellers to communicate and contextualize data with the simple click of a button.”

The platform enables access to high-resolution imagery captured as recently as 24 hours ago, and archive imagery dating back to 2011. A CartoDB Enterprise account is availale.

“Seeing a better world just got easier and faster for journalists, media outlets, and researchers who want to add geospatial context to their online content,” said Josh Winer, sales manager of DigitalGlobe. “With the ease of CartoDB’s mapping tools and platform, customers of any size can quickly and easily integrate high-resolution satellite imagery into their online maps and stories. We’re thrilled to partner with CartoDB and look forward to empowering their community.”

April 28, 2015
Airbus Releases Satellite Imagery of Nepal Earthquake

Following Nepal’s devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Saturday, Airbus Defence and Space has acquired Pléiades satellites imagery to support the International Charter and Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The data acquired will assist in assessing the damage and help rescue organizations in the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The before and after Pléiades images over Kathmandu (full image can be downloaded here) show the devastation caused by the earthquake. The below “before” Pléiades image was acquired on Nov. 29, 2014, and the “after” Pléiades image was acquired on April 27, 2015, two days after the earthquake.

Kathmandu, viewed by Pléiades satellites, before and after the earthquake. (Image: Airbus Defence and Space)

The Airbus Pléiades 1A and Pléiades 1B satellites operate as a constellation in the same orbit, phased 180 degrees apart. The identical twin satellites deliver high-resolution optical data products and can revisit any point on the globe, according to Airbus.

UPDATE:

Esri has created a Nepal Earthquake Swipe Map, which allows users to compare the pre- and post-earthquake images from Airbus Defence & Space to explore damage around Nepal. This map includes several bookmarks to help users navigate around key points of interest and landmarks that were damaged or destroyed.

April 28, 2015
DigitalGlobe Offers Satellite Images of Nepal Earthquake

In response to the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck central Nepal on April 25, DigitalGlobe has made high-resolution satellite imagery of the affected areas freely available online to all groups involved in the response and recovery effort through the company’s FirstLook initiative.

This imagery can be accessed via http://services.digitalglobe.com.

Username: nepal
Password: forcrisis

The below before and after images show the destruction of the nine-storey Dharahara Tower, which was built in 1832 and was a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Dharahara Tower in Kathmandu, in a DigitalGlobe satellite image taken in October 2014. (Image credit: DigitalGlobe)

The Dharahara Tower is shown leveled following the earthquake (Image credit: DigitalGlobe).

Specifically, DigitalGlobe activated FirstLook, the subscription service that provides emergency management and humanitarian workers with fast, web-based access to pre- and post-event images of the impacted area. DigitalGlobe captured imagery of the area April 26 through heavy cloud cover with its WorldView-1, and WorldView-3 and GeoEye-1 satellites. WorldView-2 and WorldView-3 have been tasked to image the area again April 28. Pre-event imagery dating back to April 1 is also available to aid understanding and coordination for on-the-ground missions.

In addition, DigitalGlobe has activated Tomnod, the crowdsourcing platform that allows web-connected volunteers around the globe to help disaster response teams by mapping damage from this earthquake. While satellite imagery on its own is useful, greater benefit comes from extracting meaningful information that can be used by first responder and recovery agencies.

By visiting the Tomnod website, users can participate in the Nepal campaign by tagging damaged buildings, roads, and areas of major destruction to inform disaster response teams on the ground. Whether a person donates five minutes or five hours, anyone can analyze DigitalGlobe imagery to help make a difference.

April 27, 2015
Esri Hosts Info Map for Nepal Earthquake

A massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck 77 kilometers (48 miles) northwest of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu at 0611 GMT on April 25, toppling office blocks and towers and killing thousands of people. More than two dozen people were also reported killed in neighboring India, China and Bangladesh.

As of April 27, the Government of Nepal reported 3,351 deaths and 6,833 injured people, according to ReliefWeb. These numbers are expected to increase further as search and rescue teams reach remote areas. Most of the deaths are recorded in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Eight million people in 39 districts have been affected, of which over 2 million people live in the 11 severely affected districts.

The Esri disaster page is featuring news stories, video feeds, and other information about the earthquake in Nepal, on an Earthquake Public Information Map. Users can explore the locations and intensities of the various quakes that struck Nepal, along with a shakemap from the USGS. This map also includes geotagged social media from Twitter and YouTube with local content related to the quakes.

Another Esri map, Mapping the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, provides a closer look at Nepal’s history of seismic activity, and shows how people are impacted by earthquakes. This story map also includes information about relief operations and key points of interest in the region, as well as a 3D web scene of the area affected by the avalanche on Mt. Everest.

OpenStreetMap is also working to help with relief efforts. “Our goal is to contribute to humanitarian relief by rapidly providing a detailed and accurate map (i.e., road network, villages, buildings, etc.) to support the humanitarian organizations. These services help locate people at risk efficiently, and facilitate the delivery of goods and services to remote areas.”

The USGS provides an earthquake map here.

April 27, 2015
Trimble Expands Geospatial Portfolio to Increase Productivity

Trimble has expanded its portfolio of geospatial solutions for surveyors, engineers and mapping professionals. Highlights include new total stations, a new GNSS receiver and new field and office software features. The solutions save time, reduce costs, streamline workflows and produce high-quality geospatial deliverables across a wide range of industries, Trimble said.

“Trimble’s portfolio expansion will enable our customers to work in a more efficient, seamless and collaborative manner,” said Chris Gibson, vice president of Trimble. “Trimble’s solutions are best known for quality, dependability and performance. Our vision is to equip customers with the most innovative tools, which includes a focus on offering new software applications that streamline and elevate the value of geospatial data to guide smart decision-making and transform the way organizations work.”

The expanded portfolio of productivity solutions include:

Total Station Solutions

A range of new and enhanced robotic total stations — the Trimble S5, S7 and S9 — improve project efficiencies, productivity and deliverables. Times saving enhancements include improved Trimble VISION technology, SureScan technology included in the S7 and optional in the S9 total station, and the DR Plus electronic distance measurement technology as a standard feature.

Theft and loss risks are also minimized now with Locate2Protect technology embedded in each instrument, allowing users to remotely track the location of their equipment in real-time using Trimble InSphere Equipment Manager.

In the office, Trimble Business Center software can be used to create high-dynamic-range (HDR) images using data captured with total stations. A new total station data editor enables fieldwork to be rapidly reviewed and allows surveyors to create deliverables with confidence, Trimble said.

Scanning Solutions

Trimble continues to blend powerful 3D laser scanning and imaging hardware with workflow-based software to drive new efficiencies for survey applications and construction planning and design.

The Trimble TX8 3D laser scanner now offers greater accuracy (down to 1 mm) and streamlined onboard operation when measuring to longer ranges, decreasing the field time required for capturing reliable high-accuracy data.

Enhanced tools in Trimble RealWorks software version 9.1 further reduce the time to produce high-quality deliverables from Trimble TX8 data. The new version of Trimble RealWorks software includes improved workflows for creating floor settlement plans and 3D pipeline models as well as complete storage tank inspection and reporting capabilities.

GNSS Solutions

The new Trimble R8s Integrated GNSS receiver and updated version of Trimble Access field software combine to offer configurable and scalable settings. Surveyors have the flexibility across their workflows by being able to tailor the Trimble R8s receiver with the updated field software for their specific application. The ability to customize provides flexibility for future business requirements and allows customers to maximize efficiencies across their workflows.

Imaging Solutions

Trimble enhancements to Trimble VISION workflows increase the value of highly accurate image data. Survey, engineering and civil infrastructure professionals can now generate dense point cloud deliverables in Trimble Business Center from images captured using the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover. Users can also quickly generate 2D CAD and 3D real-world models from images captured with Trimble total stations using the streamlined workflows created within Trimble Business Center and SketchUp software.

Availability

Trimble Access field software, Trimble Business Center version 3.50 office software, the Trimble R8s GNSS receiver, Trimble S5, S7 and S9 Total Stations and TX8 3D Scanner are available now through Trimble’s Geospatial Distribution Channel.

April 24, 2015
Getmapping Partners with PlanetObserver on Satellite Imagery

Getmapping has partnered with PlanetObserver to offer customers a full range of global and regional Earth satellite imagery along with global height data. The partnership is in line with Getmapping’s wider strategy to extend its reach beyond its established markets in the UK and Africa and signals an intention to provide a global capability in geospatial products and services.

The key PlanetObserver offerings available from Getmapping include PlanetSAT 15, 15-m resolution global satellite imagery and two height data products, PlanetDEM 30 and PlanetDEM 90 with resolutions of 30 m and 90 m respectively.

The satellite imagery is the most up to date satellite dataset currently available and provides natural colour (RGB) imagery free from clouds. Available from a few square kilometers to global coverage, the data is especially suited to a wide range of sectors, including energy and utilities, tele-communications and smartphone apps, visualization and simulation, plus mapping and illustration.

The PlanetDEM height datasets are seamless global digital elevation models at 30m and 90m resolution and are derived from a combination of SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission v4.1) data corrected with multi-source cartographic data, and are perfect for 3D simulation and visualisation applications, base mapping, energy and geological surveys.

All PlanetObserver data is delivered in a range of standard formats, and is also available via WMS and as an additional layer in the Getmapping Online GIS software.

“We have been providing high-quality aerial imagery and elevation data across the UK and Africa for a number of years and it has always been our intention to provide our customers with a global offering,” said Pete Bonham, Getmapping’s Business Manager. We expect satellite imagery and DEMs to be particularly popular with our Online GIS customers who can subscribe to access the data from within the application. The high quality data from PlanetObserver covers the entire surface of the Earth, and provides excellent base layers for our expanding Online GIS application, it really adds value to our offering.”

Laurent Masselot, CEO of PlanetObserver added, “Our new cooperation with Getmapping is a major step forward to efficiently supply our geospatial data to a large user community. We’re particularly excited to reach out to users of Getmapping online GIS software and have them take advantage of our value-added products.”

April 24, 2015
GIS Cloud Previewing Collaborative App Maplim
GIS Cloud is previewing Maplim, an application that allows for fast, intuitive real-time collaboration on a map using any device. GIS Cloud is offering sign-ups for free, early access to Maplim.

According to GIS Cloud, “The idea is to put a map in the context of an organization board where you created projects and cards while engaging with your colleagues in discussions, making drawings (redlining and annotations), attaching documents, or just leaving comments.

Features:
- Organization. Create real-time collaboration streams as cards, to which you can add any content around a map and share it with your colleagues. Maplim adapts to your project, team, and workflow.
- Redline and Comment. Seamlessly make drawings on a map, add notes, marks, and comments, and provide your team with everything they need to get things done in real time.
- Sharing. Attach and access important media such as photos, videos, PDFs, and Excel and Word documents relevant to a card.
- Sync. Maplim stays perfectly in sync across all your devices, wherever you are. Post comments for instant feedback, follow your team’s activity in real time, and share results with anyone, anywhere, and on any device.
GIS Cloud is offering a free webinar on Maplim on April 28.
April 23, 2015
TerraGo Offers Lightweight GIS Applications from ArcMap

Editor’s Note: Learn more about how the TerraGo Edge replaces single-use GPS handheld devices and enables mobile workers and field crews to easily collect and share field data. Attend GPS World’s May webinar, Say Goodbye Proprietary GPS Devices, Hello TerraGo Edge.

TerraGo, a geospatial collaboration and enterprise mobility software company, is offering a new version of its OpenGeoPDF software, now available with TerraGo Publisher for ArcGIS, TerraGo Composer and TerraGo Toolbar. The latest release gives end users powerful new spatial database features, including the ability to search and update feature attributes, with an interactive OpenGeoPDF map accessible to any end user without requiring them to purchase any software.

“TerraGo’s OpenGeoPDF lets people turn static maps into interactive GIS-lite applications by letting ArcMap users share a free portable client application,” said Kevin Coles, manager of Enterprise GIS at Lumos Networks. “With OpenGeoPDF, end users can do more than view maps and imagery. They can interact with maps in ways previously only available with GIS software including the ability to control layers, measure distances, query, update and extract feature data in a universal format.”

OpenGeoPDF produces a measurable return on investment by enabling organizations to leverage their GIS investment to create free GIS-Lite solutions for non-GIS users. One of the many benefits of the OpenGeoPDF approach is that GeoPDF maps with embedded feature attributes can be accessed, searched, updated and extracted as an OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) GeoPackage.

“The incredible value of geospatial data and an organization’s investment in GIS should result in more than a paper map or flat image in a PowerPoint,” said TerraGo Chief Technology Officer George Demmy. “OpenGeoPDF offers limitless, new possibilities for geospatial data interchange and creates much richer analytical applications for end users.”

To start a trial of TerraGo Publisher for ArcGIS, download here.

To start a trial of TerraGo Toolbar for Adobe Reader, download here.

April 16, 2015