GPS World

Tag: technology

  • Trimble Introduces Geo7X Handheld With Integrated Laser Rangefinder, Full GNSS

    Trimble introduced the next generation of its Trimble GeoExplorer data collection solution. The new Geo 7X includes an integrated laser rangefinder module, extended GNSS capabilities and improved hardware  Geo7xperformance. Together with robust field and office software, the new Trimble Geo 7X handheld can enhance productivity in difficult physical conditions and challenging GNSS environments.

    According to the announcement, when faced with either obstructed satellites or inaccessible locations, GIS professionals now have the geospatial data collection tools they need—in a single package. For times when occupying a position is simply not possible, users can take advantage of Trimble’s new Flightwave technology. With Flightwave technology, users can easily capture offset measurements from the Geo 7X’s rangefinder module for direct integration with Trimble data collection software. Users can simply point and shoot to log the position, avoiding dangerous conditions or right-of-way challenges. In addition, Trimble’s field-proven Floodlight technology enhances field productivity when heavy overhead cover obstructs satellite signals.

    The Geo 7X is compatible with existing and planned GNSS satellite systems—including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and now BeiDou—to maximize productivity with additional satellites and ranging signals.

    Featuring a new 1 GHz processor and 4 GB of memory running Microsoft Windows 6.5 Professional operating system, the Geo 7X offers enhanced computing performance. Other standard features include a 4.2 inch sunlight readable LED touch display and a 5 MP camera for geo-tagging assets. For wireless connectivity, the integrated modem allows users to send and receive data via GSM networks as well as Verizon’s CDMA network in the U.S. And with its IP65 rating, the rugged handheld GNSS receiver is sealed against water and dust.

    With the introduction of the Geo 7X, Trimble also delivers updates to its field and office software portfolio to extend Trimble’s end-to-end data collection solutions with new software workflows and compatibility. In addition to the field-proven Trimble TerraSync and Positions software, the Geo 7X now supports the customizable data collection workflows of Trimble TerraFlex software. Consisting of mobile software and Cloud services, TerraFlex offers a fast and efficient way to collect, process and manage data. Field data is automatically synced with a central server to streamline office operations and drive higher productivity.

    “We believe that true productivity is being able to map assets—the first time, every time and anywhere. We’ve built upon our productivity-enabling Floodlight technology and pushed it forward several steps,” said Alain Samaha, business area director of GIS and geospatial software solutions for Trimble’s Geospatial Division. “Users now can position themselves in the optimal location and accurately measure assets remotely with a single, integrated device together with simple software workflows. The Trimble Geo 7X allows mobile GIS users to be productive wherever they need to work.”

  • Cambridge Consultants Introduces Tractor Collision Avoidance Technology

    Cambridge Consultants introduces radar-based technology detection system to help agricultural vehicles avoid collisions. The new radar system helps prevent this by protecting the perimeters of the vehicle from potential hazards – giving audible and visual warnings to the driver.

    CambridgeConsultants1

    “We have identified a huge demand for this type of agricultural technology as we see a continued increase in advanced farming techniques in the face of impending population growth and food shortages,” said Gary Kemp, programme director at Cambridge Consultants. “We’ve created practical technology that’s simple to operate and install but is also low cost and incredibly effective.”

    According to the announcement, the radar units are designed to be installed on the front and rear of a vehicle as well as on the boom ends, and can detect multiple collision hazards in a wide field of view which maximises coverage. The technology can process many different moving and stationary obstacles – and instantly send an alert to the driver to warn of a potential collision. The low-frequency (5.8GHz) system is based on standard manufacturing principles, making it a cost-effective solution. The patented short-range radar technology provides unbeatable performance from a compact, low-cost sensor. The sensor simultaneously tracks multiple objects in 3D over a wide field of view and up to 30m range. Real-time collision prediction algorithm identifies hazards early, giving the driver ample time to take avoiding action

    The company will be showcasing its latest farming technology at the Agritechnica International Exhibition, November 12-15, in Hanover, Germany, hall 17, stand C38.

  • Global Mapper V15 Released with Extension Interface and Powerful New LiDAR Tools

    Blue Marble Geographics announces the release of Global Mapper version 15. This major release includes many powerful updates along with a new extension interface that provides add-on functionality capabilities including the COAST tool and a new LiDAR Module. Blue Marble’s geospatial data manipulation, visualization and conversion solutions are used worldwide by thousands of GIS analysts at software, oil and gas, mining, civil engineering, surveying, and technology companies, as well as governmental and university organizations.

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    According to the announcement, the new extension interface in Global Mapper 15 allows third parties and customers the opportunity to create add-on applications that can be part of the software with access to all the formats and tools that Global Mapper has to offer. As part of this release, Blue Marble has created three modules; The COAST tool for cost/benefit analysis of coastal flooding incidents, an Overview Map Window application, and a new powerful LiDAR module. The LiDAR module is available for the price of another seat of the software, while COAST and the Overview Application are free. Other new extension modules from key partners are expected over the next year.

    This release also features a new Mathematical Raster Calculator for multi-band imagery analysis, the ability to edit and re-calculate multiple view shed layers, 3D PDF read/write support, scripting enhancements, such as passing variables to the script from the command line, and much more. The LiDAR Module is a powerful toolbar that has totally new functionality on par with software that is many thousands of dollars more expensive. Leveraged through a toolbar for easier management and editing capabilities, the module features the ability to view, edit and reclassify points in the Path Profile viewer, robust gridding techniques for faster, extremely flexible creation of elevation surfaces, including smart decimation through binning, and other techniques. The tool also allows for automatic classification of ground points from unclassified point clouds, and support for reporting LiDAR statistics via script to a text file to facilitate QA processes and new format support for E57 LiDAR.

    “Global Mapper is TRULY the GIS tool for everyone and that includes the basic user who simply needs to view data or output it to Google Earth, as well as the highly trained GIS or Survey professional working with LiDAR point clouds of a billion points or more,” stated Blue Marble’s President Patrick Cunningham “We are committed to adding the most advanced functionality at a price point that is within reach of everyone and we have again done so with this release.”

  • Esri Updates ArcGIS for Android App

    The Esri Mobile team announced it has released an update to the ArcGIS for Android app.

    There are several key bug fixes and enhancements that improve app stability (NIM084516, NIM084565), support for an on-premises Portal, and secured services (NIM84775).

  • Astrium to Provide Satellite Imagery for Google Maps and Google Earth

    Astrium announced that it has entered into an agreement with Google Inc. to provide satellite imagery in support of Google Maps, Google Earth and other Google products and services. Under this agreement, Astrium Services will provide newly acquired imagery from its Pléiades and SPOT satellites.

    According to the announcement, Pléiades 1A and 1B are Europe’s first very high-resolution Earth-observation satellites, offering exceptional performance to support both commercial and government markets with 50cm resolution imagery products. The SPOT 6 and SPOT 7 constellation, operated in conjunction with Pléiades, offers 1.5m resolution imagery products and is uniquely capable of mapping continent-wide areas.

    Astrium reports that their four-satellite constellation makes Astrium Services the first satellite operator in the world to offer a complete range of Earth-observation data at different resolutions (from medium to very high-resolution), an image collection capacity of up to 6.5 million square kilometers each day and the ability to image every point of the globe on a daily basis.

  • HERE Announces Partnerships with Automakers and Suppliers to Connect Cars to the Cloud

    HERE announced ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show that it has partnered with the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler and two of the world’s leading automotive system integrators, Continental Corporation and Magneti Marelli. These partners are building on the HERE Connected Driving framework to offer individual connected products and services that go beyond navigation to meet their differing needs.

    According to the announcement, connectivity will allow cars to compute real time information on demand so that the vehicle can take over more aspects of driving ultimately creating an entirely new class of services.

    Mercedes-Benz

    HERE announced is has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz to jointly develop smart maps for connected cars and ultimately, self-driving cars. HERE and Mercedes built a 3D digital map of the route that the first Benz Patent-Motorwagen took 125 years ago from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany. Based on the particular requirements of autonomous vehicles, this map includes precise road data that go beyond traditional maps, including the number and direction of lanes, traffic signs along the route and even exact coordinates of traffic lights. While autonomous vehicles may not hit the streets commercially for several years, automakers and tech innovators alike must already think about the infrastructure and technological requirements needed to support this technology.

    Magneti Marelli

    HERE announced they are working with Magneti Marelli to develop an end-to-end connected driving solution ready to use for car makers, based on Magneti Marelli’s open platform and the HERE Connected Driving offering. It takes advantage of dynamic content from the HERE Auto Cloud such as real-time traffic information, parking and fuel prices as well as information on local places.

    Continental Corporation

    Continental Corporation recently announced that it has implemented 3D content from HERE into its new Infotainment platform. With HERE, the platform will integrate different location based applications into cars such as 3D Landmarks, satellite imagery with split screen and current traffic information among other location based applications. Drivers can also synch navigation destinations and route preferences across the in-dash system in their vehicles and their smartphone, tablet, or PC.

    “We believe that the evolution towards a connected car future will happen in different phases. Autonomous driving is just one fascinating aspect,” said Michael Halbherr, Head of HERE and EVP at Nokia. “Every car OEM, system integrator and every driver will require their own unique solution and technology will never be able to replace human understanding. That is why we have created our Connected Driving solutions with fresh maps at their core.”

    The HERE Connected Driving offering will be demonstrated at the International Motor Show  starting on September 10 at Hall 4.1, Stand E30.

  • Agency9 Releases 3D Models and 3D Cities for City Planners

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    Aerial imagery Courtesy of InterAtlas

    Agency9, a provider of web-based 3D visualization solutions, announces support for 3D models and cities generated with Smart3DCapture from Acute3D. Municipalities, authorities, and private organizations can now use the photo-realistic 3D models in Agency9 CityPlanner to easily create web applications for planning, GIS, tourism and security, Agency9 said.

    According to the announcement, Acute3D’s Smart3DCapture is a software solution enabling data providers and distributors to easily produce true-3D models of cities from aerial and terrestrial imagery, without any human intervention. Agency9 has streamlined a process to support large-scale 3D models from Acute3D Smart3DCapture for web deployment. CityPlanner users can easily edit the Smart3DCapture data, such as demolish buildings, modify terrain, export exerts of data, as well as upload vector data, images, 3D models in order to create stunning interactive illustrations for public consultation or exhibition phases in planning or tourist oriented applications.

    “Agency9 has a vision to web enable any type of 3D terrain and city models in value adding applications. Agency9 is thrilled by the partnership with Acute3D and the potential it creates. Photorealistic 3D models are requested in many applications and Smart3DCapture is definitely one of the sharpest on the market. With CityPlannerOnline Agency9 uniquely offer data providers and users to publish Acute3D data online at a cost starting as low as 5,000 EUR per year without need to invest in IT infrastructure,” said Håkan Engman, CEO at Agency9.

    “The interoperability of our Smart3DCapture solutions is a very important topic at Acute3D, and the partnership with Agency9 opens exciting perspectives in the diffusion of large 3D models through online applications,” said Jean-Philippe Pons, CEO at Acute3D.

    Agency9 CityPlanner is a web-based service for 3D visualization of projects within urban development, infrastructure and energy. CityPlanner provides 3D web planning tools for widespread access and collaboration. It is created for urban planners, communicators, consultants and GIS technicians to easily create, share and publish project and spatial information from a normal web browser. CityPlanner is used by municipalities internationally in their daily work with master and local planning, also involving stakeholders and citizens in the planning process by enabling web publishing of 3D plan visualizations.

  • DigitalGlobe Reportedly Pushing the U.S. Government to Ease Limits on Satellite Imagery Resolution

    Breaking Defense is reporting that DigitalGlobe has requested that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) relax the 41-cm limit currently in place.

    Walter Scott, DigitalGlobe’s founder and now executive VP and chief technical officer, tells Breaking Defense there is “significant demand” for quarter-meter resolution from the international market. And that’s why the company applied for a change to the resolution they can be licensed for from half a meter to a quarter meter.

    NOAA is responsible for managing remote sensing satellite licenses in the U.S. View the Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs website here.

    Current NOAA license holders (per NOAA website)  are listed below:

  • Esri Releases Android Mapping App to Open Source Community

    Esri announced in a blog post that they have released an Android-based mapping app, based built entirely on the ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android V 10.1.1,  to the open source community.

    Today we are proud to announce the app has been released to the open source community on Github.  There have been some design changes and updates to the app since it’s debut including some of the following:

    • Portal API to populate a gridview with basemaps available to change in the map
    • Reverse Geocoding class
    • PopUp API to view and edit popups from a WebMap.

    This is a great starting point for developers who want to create mobile mapping apps like Google Maps & MapQuest.  Some features available now include:

    And there is more to come.  We encourage developers to collaborate with us as we use Github to continue developing this app together with our developer community.  Anyone and everyone are welcome to contribute.  We will review/accept pull requests, submit/fix issues, & use milestones for updates.  Four things you can do now include:

    1. Get Involved
    2. Report Issues/Enhancements
    3. Contribute code
    4. Improve documentation

  • Microsoft to Acquire Nokia’s Devices & Services Business

    Microsoft Corporation and Nokia Corporation today announced that the Boards of Directors for both companies have decided to enter into a transaction whereby Microsoft will purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, license Nokia’s patents, and license and use Nokia’s mapping services.

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    Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will pay EUR 3.79 billion to purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, and EUR 1.65 billion to license Nokia’s patents, for a total transaction price of EUR 5.44 billion in cash. Microsoft will draw upon its overseas cash resources to fund the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, subject to approval by Nokia’s shareholders, regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

    Building on the partnership with Nokia announced in February 2011 and the increasing success of Nokia’s Lumia smartphones, Microsoft aims to accelerate the growth of its share and profit in mobile devices through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. For Nokia, this transaction is expected to be significantly accretive to earnings, strengthen its financial position, and provide a solid basis for future investment in its continuing businesses.

    “It’s a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft’s share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive officer. “In addition to their innovation and strength in phones at all price points, Nokia brings proven capability and talent in critical areas such as hardware design and engineering, supply chain and manufacturing management, and hardware sales, marketing and distribution.”

    “We are excited and honored to be bringing Nokia’s incredible people, technologies and assets into our Microsoft family. Given our long partnership with Nokia and the many key Nokia leaders that are joining Microsoft, we anticipate a smooth transition and great execution,” Ballmer said. “With ongoing share growth and the synergies across marketing, branding and advertising, we expect this acquisition to be accretive to our adjusted earnings per share starting in FY15, and we see significant long-term revenue and profit opportunities for our shareholders.”

    “For Nokia, this is an important moment of reinvention and from a position of financial strength, we can build our next chapter,” said Risto Siilasmaa, Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors and, following today’s announcement, Nokia Interim CEO. “After a thorough assessment of how to maximize shareholder value, including consideration of a variety of alternatives, we believe this transaction is the best path forward for Nokia and its shareholders. Additionally, the deal offers future opportunities for many Nokia employees as part of a company with the strategy, financial resources and determination to succeed in the mobile space.”

    “Building on our successful partnership, we can now bring together the best of Microsoft’s software engineering with the best of Nokia’s product engineering, award-winning design, and global sales, marketing and manufacturing,” said Stephen Elop, who following today’s announcement is stepping aside as Nokia President and CEO to become Nokia Executive Vice President of Devices & Services. “With this combination of talented people, we have the opportunity to accelerate the current momentum and cutting-edge innovation of both our smart devices and mobile phone products.”

    Nokia has outlined its expected focus upon the closing of the transaction in a separate press release published today.

    TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT

    Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire substantially all of Nokia’s Devices and Services business, including the Mobile Phones and Smart Devices business units as well as an industry-leading design team, operations including all Nokia Devices & Services-related production facilities, Devices & Services-related sales and marketing activities, and related support functions. At closing, approximately 32,000 people are expected to transfer to Microsoft, including 4,700 people in Finland and 18,300 employees directly involved in manufacturing, assembly and packaging of products worldwide. The operations that are planned to be transferred to Microsoft generated an estimated EUR 14.9 billion, or almost 50 percent of Nokia’s net sales for the full year 2012.

    Microsoft is acquiring Nokia’s Smart Devices business unit, including the Lumia brand and products. Lumia handsets have won numerous awards and have grown in sales in each of the last three quarters, with sales reaching 7.4 million units in the second quarter of 2013.

    As part of the transaction, Nokia is assigning to Microsoft its long-term patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm, as well as other licensing agreements.

    Microsoft is also acquiring Nokia’s Mobile Phones business unit, which serves hundreds of millions of customers worldwide, and had sales of 53.7 million units in the second quarter of 2013. Microsoft will acquire the Asha brand and will license the Nokia brand for use with current Nokia mobile phone products. Nokia will continue to own and manage the Nokia brand. This element provides Microsoft with the opportunity to extend its service offerings to a far wider group around the world while allowing Nokia’s mobile phones to serve as an on-ramp to Windows Phone.

    Nokia will retain its patent portfolio and will grant Microsoft a 10-year license to its patents at the time of the closing. Microsoft will grant Nokia reciprocal rights to use Microsoft patents in its HERE services. In addition, Nokia will grant Microsoft an option to extend this mutual patent agreement in perpetuity.

    In addition, Microsoft will become a strategic licensee of the HERE platform, and will separately pay Nokia for a four-year license.

    Microsoft will also immediately make available to Nokia EUR 1.5 billion of financing in the form of three EUR 500 million tranches of convertible notes that Microsoft would fund from overseas resources. If Nokia decides to draw down on this financing option, Nokia would pay back these notes to Microsoft from the proceeds of the deal upon closing. The financing is not conditional on the transaction closing.

    Microsoft also announced that it has selected Finland as the home for a new data center that will serve Microsoft consumers in Europe. The company said it would invest more than a quarter-billion dollars in capital and operation of the new data center over the next few years, with the potential for further expansion over time.

    NOKIA LEADERSHIP CHANGES

    Nokia expects that Stephen Elop, Jo Harlow, Juha Putkiranta, Timo Toikkanen, and Chris Weber would transfer to Microsoft at the anticipated closing of the transaction. Nokia has outlined these changes in more detail in a separate release issued today.

    EXTRAORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS MEETING

    Nokia plans to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting on November 19, 2013. The notice of the meeting and more information on the transaction and its background are planned to be published later this month.

    PRESS CONFERENCE

    Nokia will host a press conference today, Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m. EEST in Dipoli, Espoo (Otakaari 24). Registration will start at 10 a.m., and the doors will open at 10.40 a.m. Due to space constraints, only media who show valid press credentials at the registration will be admitted. Media are encouraged to watch a live webcast of the press conference at:http://press.nokia.com/

  • Esri Releases Yosemite National Park Rim Fire Perspectives Map

    Esri has released an interactive map illustrating the the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park in California. The Rim Fire is currently threatening many communities near Yosemite National Park and poses a potential risk to several ranger stations and sequoia groves. It has become one of the largest fires in state history since it started on August 17.

    Rimfire

    Click here to open the interactive map. Click through the tabs on the left side of the map to explore various perspectives about the fire. Click any feature on the map to learn more about each point of interest.

    One available map shows historic fires for comparison, such as the 1987 Complex fire.

    Chart Courtesy of Esri

     

     

  • Esri Press Releases The GIS 20: Essential Skills, Second Edition

    Esri Press released The GIS 20: Essential Skills, Second Edition, by Gina Clemmer, a workbook that helps readers master the top 20 skills necessary to become proficient in using ArcGIS software. It is a direct result of a survey that Clemmer conducted with GIS professionals to determine the primary skills needed to be a successful GIS user.

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    According to the announcement, the book is a quick read and presents step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and practical tips on how to perform the fundamental skills needed to effectively use GIS. These skills include finding and editing data, querying GIS maps, creating reports, and sharing and publishing maps. The second edition offers nine bonus topics to further advance GIS skills, exercise data on an accompanying DVD, and ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop software (180-day use) to work through the exercises.

    “The purpose of the book is to provide a focused approach to learning GIS by offering clear, easy-to-follow exercises for the most commonly used GIS skills in the industry today,” says Clemmer, “It is written for professionals with no time for classroom training and can be used for independent study or an as-needed reference.”

    Clemmer is president of the research and training company New Urban Research, Inc. Over the years, she has trained thousands of GIS users throughout the United States. Clemmer holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Iowa.

    Graphic: Esri Press