Harris Corporation has developed a commercially available Geiger-mode lidar sensor. The Harris IntelliEarth Geospatial Solutions Geiger-Mode LiDAR sensor will provide customers with the ability to collect high-quality, wide-area elevation data faster and more affordably than before, Harris said.
Additionally, the company’s fully automated, high-volume production capabilities allow for rapid processing of large amounts of raw sensor data and automates quality control. Thousands of square kilometers of data can be processed in a few hours.
Harris is applying technology and processing methods it has perfected over the past 15 years in support of the U.S. Department of Defense to deliver superior, LiDAR-based data and derived products to commercial users at cost-effective prices, the company said.
With 10 times the collection speed and resolution of today’s best traditional lidar sensors, the Geiger-Mode lidar sensor makes wide area collections affordable for the first time.
Agency9, a provider of online 3D visualization, is extending its 3DMaps WebGL support to iOS and Android devices. Large, highly detailed 3D city models can now be streamed to web browsers on both tablets and smartphones with both high performance and visual quality, the company said.
Mobile support substantially improves reach in GIS and planning applications, Agency9 said. Using WebGL and HTML5 improves usability with plugin-free viewing of 3D directly in a web browser, eliminating the need to download and install dedicated apps.
Most WebGL 3D solutions on the market are pure “model viewers,” limited to show a CAD model and its closest surroundings or simple untextured LOD 1,2 models. Agency9 3DMaps is capable of smoothly visualizing large scale terrain and detailed textured building models on a national or global basis. For example, huge photorealistic 3D models created with tools such as Smart3DCapture by Acute3D, recently acquired by Bentley Systems, can now be published online using WebGL without limitation in size or resolution, the company said.
Agency9 3DMaps supports common 3D scenery in common GIS formats (including ArcGIS and CityGML) and is also validated with output from tools as Smart3DCapture, PhotoScan from AgiSoft, and StreetFactory from Airbus Defence and Space, as well as LiDAR/imagery tools from TerraSolid.
The Agency9 3DMaps developer platform enables the customization of portals as well as integration into existing applications to leverage ubiquitous support for streaming large 3D data to users across all formats including tablet, mobile, Windows and MacOS.
Rendering substantial 3D data sets in the browser using 3DMaps with advanced gaming effects such as ambient occlusion, real time sun and shadows, and god rays ensures the finest realism and user experience, the company said. 3DMaps also supports integration of spatial data and databases for intelligent models and visualisation of statistics. Visit the 3DMaps developer portal at http://developer.agency9.com.
Mobile support will also be available in Agency9 CityPlanner, the cloud service for creating and sharing 3D project information and citizen dialogues in urban development. Smart Cities can more easily reach citizens and stakeholders on the web with interactive visualisation of projects in 3D. An example of a large project model created in ESRI CityEngine and visualized in the huge photorealistic 3D scene above.
DigitalGlobe, a global provider of high-resolution satellite imagery and geospatial solutions, has signed of a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations.
Under the agreement, DigitalGlobe and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) will take stock of their combined expertise in the use of earth observation technologies for economic, social, and scientific development and improved decision-making, particularly in developing countries.
UNOOSA and DigitalGlobe will work to develop an online platform to provide easy access to imagery catalogues as well as data and analytical services specifically tailored for the needs of the United Nations. Under the agreement, DigitalGlobe will provide advisory services on remote-sensing imagery and geospatial analytics, working with UNOOSA to advance and accelerate adoption of geospatial and satellite imagery-based analytics across the entire United Nations System.
The cooperation will also extend to DigitalGlobe’s participation in relevant UNOOSA-supported events and activities, including those of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) and of the United Nations Geographic Information Working Group (UNGIWG).
“Cooperation and collaboration in the area of geospatial information and analytics will improve how the United Nations, including its member states and its system of organizations, can address global economic, environmental, geopolitical, and societal issues,” said Simonetta Di Pippo, director of UNOOSA.
“DigitalGlobe is thrilled to partner with UNOOSA, the United Nations body that promotes international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space,” said Jeffrey R. Tarr, DigitalGlobe president and CEO. “The arrangement provides an ideal platform to explore how high-resolution satellite imagery and geospatial analytics can be more efficiently and effectively shared across the entire United Nations System, thus propelling us toward our purpose of ‘Seeing a Better World.”
All Phase One Industrial aerial cameras now fully support the IGI AEROcontrol, GNSS/IMU positioning system, the companies announced. Aerial camera models include iXA-R, iXA, and iXU.
Phase One aerial cameras are high-quality industrial-grade camera systems, which have found wide success in the photogrammetry market, both among end users and OEM integrators.
AEROcontrol is a GNSS/IMU system for the precise determination of position and altitude of multiple airborne sensors. Beside the choice of MEMS- and FOG-based IMUs, the system is also suitable for mobile mapping applications. Used together with IGIplan and CCNS-5, a complete and comprehensive solution for mission planning, aircraft guidance with sensor management and geo-referencing is available to Phase One aerial camera users.
“With the addition of IGI’s AEROcontrol, users of Phase One aerial cameras are able to use IGI’s popular AEROcontrol, GNSS/IMU positioning system with a single camera or as part of an array,” said Dov Kalinski, general manager of Phase One Industrial.
“With the integration of the IGI AEROControl GNSS/IMU with the Phase One aerial cameras, all Phase One users now have access to geo-referencing with different IGI IMU models and IMU-based, precise stabilized mount control. This smart geospatial solution helps users obtain the best possible aerial photography results,” added Philipp Grimm, IGI marketing and sales manager.
To meet the needs of high-accuracy field data collection and better workflow with modern GNSS technology, Supergeo’s latest SuperSurv GIS mapping app allows users to connect with and operate external Bluetooth GNSS devices. The app also elevates field-work efficiency with new averaging algorithms.
SuperSurv is designed for field data collection on Android and iOS-powered devices. Integrating with GIS and GPS technologies, SuperSurv provides functions like Map Display, Query, Measure, and supports to overlay OpenStreetMap as the basemap. Also, users can capture point, line and polygon features and attribute data, and save the data as SHP or GEO format in both offline and online modes.
With the new external GNSS device connection function, users can choose between internal positioning information and an outer GNSS source via Bluetooth. When pairing the GNSS receiver with an Android device, SuperSurv allows users to fully control and present detailed messages of navigation within system status. In addition, data collection via GNSS is enhanced with options such as a coordinate data averaging function or vertex collecting threshold, bringing users modernized and highly accurate field survey experience.
The external GNSS device connection and advanced data-collecting functions are fully supported and available with the SuperSurv Pro version. For SuperSurv M3 users, the newly added functions come as an optional plug-in that users can purchase and download.
After much criticism in the mainstream and technology media about the commercial use of UAS (unmanned aerial systems), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been remarkably proactive in integrating the commercial use of UAS in the United States National Airspace System (NAS) the past two months. Just last summer, media like the Washington Post, fueled by a government audit, were reporting that the FAA will miss the September 2015 deadline, which is spelled out in the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2012, to integrate commercial UAS usage into the NAS.
By proactive, I mean the rate at which the FAA is issuing UAS exemptions for commercial use. Two weeks ago, the FAA issued eight more commercial UAS exemptions, bringing the total to 24 since June 2014, with the vast majority of those being issued in the last two months. The latest exemptions issued were for aerial mapping, motion picture and television production, and bridge inspection. You can view the entire list of exemptions and the intended applications here. All of the exemptions have more than 30 conditions and limitations the operator must follow, of which a FAA private pilot (or better) certificate and a FAA third-class medical certificate is required, as well as a second person, the Visual Observer (VO). That’s fine. There’s nothing new on that front since I last reported on this.
However, earlier this week, the FAA issued an NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rule Making) for commercial operations of “small” UAS, with surprisingly lightweight conditions compared to the exemptions granted thus far. Following are the key points of the NPRM:
Pilot must be 17 years of age or older.
Pass an FAA-approved aeronautical knowledge test and retest every two years.
Obtain an unmanned aircraft operator certificate with a small UAS rating.
Obtain an FAA Class II airman medical certificate.
Be vetted by the Transportation Security Agency (TSA).
Maintain visual line of sight without aids (except corrective lenses).
Not operate over any person who is not part of the mission.
Maximum UAS weight is 55 pounds.
Maximum airspeed of 100 mph.
Maximum altitude of 500 feet above ground level.
Minimum weather visibility of three miles.
Yield right-of-way to other manned and unmanned aircraft.
Contact air traffic control or airport operator when flying within five miles of an airport.
These conditions are certainly lighter than the conditions imposed on the exemptions issued thus far. However, instead of requiring an FAA private pilot certificate, the FAA proposes creating a new type of certificate named an “unmanned aircraft operator certificate.” Digging into the documentation, the new “small UAS pilot certificate” consists generally of the following:
At least 17 years of age, although the FAA seems open to reducing it to 16 years of age.
Read, write, speak English (with exceptions).
Pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test, which tests the applicant’s understanding of FAA regulations, airspace, flight restrictions, collision avoidance, weather/meteorology, weight/balance calculations, emergency response, aeronautical decision-making, airport operations, and drug/alcohol impairment.
Demonstrate flight proficiency and aeronautical experience. The FAA is asking for suggestions on these two.
For a summary description of the proposed Small UAS Limitations and Certifications, click here.
For a detailed description of the proposed requirements for the FAA small UAS pilot certificate, click here.
The FAA Class II Airman medical certificate requirement is somewhat surprising because it’s more stringent than the Class III medical certificate required in the exemptions issued thus far. Perhaps the FAA is rethinking this because of the line-0f-sight requirement that puts a premium on sharp vision for UAS pilots. Class II requires distance vision of 20/20 in each eye separately while Class III only requires distance vision of 20/40 in each eye separately. Click here to see the requirements for Class I, II and III medical certificates. To give you some idea, I had an FAA Class III medical exam completed last month. It took about an hour. Although I have an FAA private pilot certificate, one is not needed to obtain an FAA medical certificate.
FAA Class III Medical Certificate
Perhaps a bigger challenge than passing the FAA medical exam, which wasn’t difficult, was finding a certified FAA medical examiner near you. You can search for an examiner near you by clicking here.
So, it seems the FAA is making progress, and we should give them credit for that. But, we are still very early in the process, and as the mainstream and other media predict, the FAA will likely burn through the September 2015 deadline well into next year, albeit chipping away and issuing exemptions on a regular basis as they have been for the past two months. You can bet that exemption applications are piling up. To view the growing list of exemption applications, click here. In reading the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2012, it states “The FAA is required to initiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for site integration of UAS within 18 months of the date of enactment of the integration plan.” Hmmm, 18 months from now = October 2016, and this NPRM is for small UAS only. Stay tuned….
LizardTech, a provider of software solutions for managing and distributing geospatial content, has released an updated version of its GeoViewer and GeoViewer Pro for Windows application.
The application allows users to view MrSID and JPEG 2000 imagery and includes broad file format support.
GeoViewer is available as a free application enabling users to display raster imagery, LiDAR point clouds and vector overlays. New features include the ability to connect to online base maps, combine local data with web map service (WMS) and JPIP sources, export imagery, save projects, and includes advanced display options such as dynamic range adjustment.
GeoViewer Pro is available for $50 and allows access to additional functionality, including support for printing, additional projection systems and advanced area measurement tools.
Esri is hosting an online seminar to familiarize customers with its Collector for ArcGIS app. Using the app can mean replacing paper-based data inspection and maintenance workflows with computerized ones that allow anyone in an organization to easily capture and update data from their tablet or smartphone when they’re out in the field.
The Esri live training seminar Simplify Field Data Workflows with Collector for ArcGIS will be held on February 19. The presenters will demonstrate how the app, included with ArcGIS organizational accounts, can help organizations maintain accurate and up-to-date GIS data while making the information collection process easier and more efficient.
After viewing the seminar, Esri says that participants will understand how to:
install Collector for ArcGIS on a smartphone or tablet and connect to an ArcGIS organization.
create and configure maps.
capture accurate feature locations and information efficiently.
attach notes, photographs, and videos to the data.
GIS managers and analysts, data managers, field-workers, and others who are interested in using Collector for ArcGIS are encouraged to attend this hour-long seminar, Esri said.
Participants will need a broadband Internet connection and an Esri account to watch the live training seminar. To create an account, visit esri.com/lts, click Login at the top right, and register your name and e-mail address.
The Lehmann L-A 300 drone is designed for mapping.
Lehmann Aviation has rolled out a new version of its OperationCenter, a flight preparation and mission control software program for automatic orthomosaic flights. Also, the company dropped the price for its L-A 300 fully automatic professional drone designed for mapping, because of an uptick in demand and increased production.
The new version of Lehmann OpsCenter, designed for Windows 8.1 tablets and PCs, now includes:
New mission control functions (holding, auto return, non-flying zone)
Terrain awareness during mission preparation, for safer flights in mountain areas
Integration with Google Earth for flight preparation and replay
New easier upgrade and update procedures directly through the web
New options to manage new cameras (GoPro, Canon) for orthomosaics and surveying.
Priced at $2,890, the L-A 300 is a professional drone designed for accurate mapping and digital elevation models (DEMs) that works with the GoPro, Canon S110 and multispectral cameras. It flies automatically for 30 to 45 minutes at a trajectory pre-prepared by the user in the OpsCenter (the range is 18.5 miles).
“In 2014 we significantly increased our production volume thanks to numerous orders from all around the world,” said Benjamin Lehmann, founder and CEO of Lehmann Aviation. “This enabled us to reduce the price for our best-sellers, all L-A-series drones. We also made the decision to follow our strategy of offering really high-tech aerial solutions at fair prices.”
Esri has launched a website to help citizens discover organizations sharing open data around the world and provide direct access to thousands of open government datasets. Citizens can search, download, filter, and visualize this data through their web browser or mobile device.
Since July 2014, more than 1,200 organizations from all levels of government, including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and the cities of Raleigh, North Carolina; Tampa, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Muroran, Japan, have used Esri’s ArcGIS Open Data to configure custom open data sites to serve local citizens and businesses. Now the public can search across these sites to find authoritative data by location and topic.
“We are excited about the large number of organizations currently sharing open data and believe we have a great opportunity to boost global support for open data and open knowledge,” said Andrew Turner, CTO of Esri’s DC R&D Center. “As more of the 380,000 organizations we work with across the globe begin to contribute open data, we will be able to help foster innovation by connecting the millions of datasets created by government agencies and shared through ArcGIS Open Data.”
Topcon Positioning Group has released a new app designed to drive the LN-100 Layout Navigator system MAGNET Construct. The no-cost app, available for the Android market, is built to provide “out-of-the-box” productivity with LN-100W hardware.
“The MAGNET Construct app offers intuitive options to drive an LN-100W for fast as-built measurements as well as graphical guidance to your design data.” said Oscar Cantú, senior manager of product marketing.
“When combined with the LN-100W, the app provides an entry-level precise measurement solution for diverse 3D layout applications such as traditional construction, complex landscape layout, architecture, as well as quickly checking existing stakeout locations before proceeding on a project,” said Cantú.
MAGNET Construct offers optional connectivity with MAGNET Enterprise for real-time data exchange from active project sites to and from the office within a user’s private company account.
“The addition of the new MAGNET Construct app exemplifies our focus to keep the LN-100W productive even with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios. Android tablets and smartphones wirelessly driving precise hardware, along with secure connectivity to your office keeps projects productive and profitable,” said Cantú.
MAGNET Construct is currently available for Android users to download for free on the Google Play store.
Global Mapper version 16.1, what Blue Marble terms an “interim release,” adds a UAV Video Playback Tool, new options to rotate the map view, and the ability to select and measure features in the 3D viewer. It is available for download.
To introduce the new version, Blue Marble is presenting a free webinar titled “What’s New in Global Mapper v16.1” on February 19 at 2 p.m. EDT.
The release includes a variety of updates to both the Global Mapper base product and the optional LiDAR Module. A new video playback tool allows users to play a video derived from the flight of an aircraft or UAV. The playback option displays a video file synced to any line feature with per-vertex times, fly-through lines or point features with recognized timestamp attributes.
Version 16.1 of Global Mapper also offers the option to rotate the map view as needed, allowing the user to more clearly visualize any spatial data with a unique alignment. The automatic “Track Up” mode works when connected to a GPS device and rotates the map view based on the current GPS heading. The new release also introduces the ability to select vector features with the Digitizer tool in the 3D Viewer. This functionality links the 2D and 3D maps, allowing users the option to pan, zoom, measure, and add vector data in one viewer while automatically replicating actions and updating features in the other. The right-click menu enables users to perform many Digitizer operations on the selected features in the 3D window.
Single-user license upgrades for version 15 are available for $169; upgrades are also available for USB dongles and network licenses. To purchase a dongle or network license upgrade, contact sales at [email protected].
LizardTech
