GPS World

Tag: Topcon Positioning Group

  • Topcon introduces software for UAV inspections

    Topcon introduces software for UAV inspections

    MAGNET Inspect is designed for UAV data collection. (Photo: Topcon)
    MAGNET Inspect is designed for UAV data collection. (Photo: Topcon)

    Topcon Positioning Group has introduced software to facilitate the data-processing workflow for UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) infrastructure inspection.

    MAGNET Inspect efficiently manages large UAV data sets to create inspection reports. It is designed to allow operators to easily visually navigate UAV photos, aligning 3D reality meshes with raw georeferenced images in one location and filtering them based on selected criteria including field of view.

    “MAGNET Inspect will work with models from virtually any UAV,” said David Ahl, director of software product management. “When combined with Intel Falcon 8+ Drone – Topcon Edition and Topcon ContextCapture, powered by Bentley Systems, the software enables operators to efficiently navigate, annotate and create reports with inspection photos, effectively creating a very strong end-to-end inspection workflow.

    MAGNET Inspect is now a key element of the Topcon end-to-end UAV and data processing workflow for inspection projects, Ahl said. It’s use aims to increase safety and speed data collection compared to traditional methods.

    “The software allows operators to easily document the observations and report them. Images from the inspection can be flagged to indicate whether there are structural issues and annotated with built-in free-hand graphical tools. Data reports can then be created to include a preview image and link to high resolution annotated image,” Ahl said.

    The ThunderBuild program. (Photo: Topcon/ThunderBuild)
    The ThunderBuild program. (Photo: Topcon/ThunderBuild)

    Acquisition of ThunderBuild. In another announcement, Topcon announced the acquisition of ThunderBuild BV Group, expanding the portfolio of Topcon paving solutions. Based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, ThunderBuild develops software related to logistics management with a primary focus in the asphalt market, as well as additional applications that pertain to the transport of bulk materials.

  • Topcon announces payload updates at Xponential 2018

    Topcon Positioning Group’s Dave Henderson explains how Topcon’s products are integrated in Intel’s Sirius Pro fixed-wing UAV and Falcon 8+ drone at Xponential 2018 in Denver. Henderson also gives an overview of the new Topcon payloads that will be available for the Falcon 8+.

  • Topcon, Bentley Systems kick off Constructioneering Academy

    Topcon Positioning Group and Bentley Systems announced the kick-off date of their collaborative Constructioneering Academy initiative. The first session is scheduled for Feb. 13 in Livermore, California.

    Topcon and Bentley have joined efforts to provide opportunities designed to allow construction industry professionals to learn best practices in constructioneering, a process of managing and integrating survey, engineering and construction data, to streamline construction workflows and improve project delivery.

    “The courses are designed in a dialogue format to allow Topcon and Bentley personnel to interact directly with attendees to cater the experience for their specific questions and demands,” said Ron Oberlander, senior director of Topcon Professional Services. “The future of construction automation continues to move forward with constructioneering digital workflows, which make the work of surveyors, engineers, and construction professionals automated, continuous, and continuously more valuable, throughout project lifecycles and beyond completion.”

    “Topcon and Bentley’s federated constructioneering technologies enable firms to gain unprecedented digital visibility and insights into their project outcomes, as compared to traditional construction workflows. Attendees of our Constructioneering Academy will learn how their organizations can improve project delivery by leveraging constructioneering technology, methods, and best practices to execute their projects more efficiently, monitor construction performance and progress, and reduce project costs,” said Vinayak Trivedi, Bentley Institute vice president.

    The Constructioneering Academy will continue with additional sessions throughout learning centers located worldwide designed to reach industry professionals with hands-on training in real-world scenarios and workflows.

    To register, visit constructioneering.com.

  • Topcon’s new GNSS receiver boards have expanded constellation tracking

    Topcon’s new GNSS receiver boards have expanded constellation tracking

    Topcon Positioning Group has launched two new full constellation GNSS receivers for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market. The new B111 and B125 boards are designed for use with a broad range of positioning applications.

    Topcon_B125_Receiver-WThe boards utilize the GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo constellations with the B111 tracking signals in the L1 and L2 frequency band, while the B125 adds signals in the L5 band. Both boards are designed to provide scalable positioning from sub-meter DGPS positioning to sub-centimeter RTK positioning.

    “The new boards both include 226-channel Vanguard Technology with Universal Tracking Channels, for reliable ‘all-in-view’ and ‘future-proof’ tracking,” said Jason Hallett, vice president of Topcon global product management. “The addition of BeiDou and Galileo constellation tracking along with GPS, GLONASS, SBAS and QZSS functionality ensures the boards provide the best performance available.

    “The dual-frequency B111 board has very low-power consumption and flexible communication interfaces, making it easy for OEMs to integrate the compact board into any precise positioning application, reducing their time to market,” Hallett said. “The B111 is also form, fit and function compatible with its predecessor, the B110, allowing a plug-and-play upgrade option to track BeiDou and Galileo.”

    The board also includes an SD-card interface designed to provide quick and easy support for datalogging in addition to Quartz Lock Loop technology for superior GNSS tracking in high-vibration environments.

    “The B125 board offers Ethernet connectivity for options for advanced OEM integration,” Hallett said.

  • INTERGEO 2015: Topcon/Sokkia showcases GCX2 ‘The Bullet’ GNSS receiver

    Arne Musch of Topcon Positioning Group discusses Sokkia‘s GCX2 GNSS integrated receiver at INTERGEO 2015, which was held Sept. 15-17 in Stuttgart, Germany.

    The GCX2, nicknamed “the bullet,” is a multi-constellation and dual frequency receiver. It is the smallest and lightest integrated receiver Sokkia has ever offered, the company says.