Tag: USV

Honeywell introduces HGuide i700 IMU for unmanned air, land and sea
Honeywell has launched the HGuide i700, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that delivers high-accuracy performance for unmanned air, land and sea vehicles. By pairing near navigation-grade capability with a no-license-required (NLR) classification, the HGuide i700 provides integrators worldwide with a powerful new option for critical sensing and navigation.

The HGuide i700 uses high reliability sensors and electronic architecture found in Honeywell’s HG3900 inertial measurement unit (IMU). Compact and low power, the HGuide i700 delivers near-navigation-grade accuracy and reliability while being optimized to support longer range navigation in GNSS-denied environments

“As customers explore new autonomous, robotic and precision-guided solutions, they want the accuracy and reliability of inertial systems that can be tailored to their program requirements,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager, Navigation and Sensors, Honeywell Aerospace. “The HGuide i700 offers strong GNSS-denied performance for by limiting maximum acceleration and spin rates in a license-free package that simplifies the complexity of system development while preserving reliability.”

The latest in Honeywell’s HGuide suite of no-license inertial solutions, the HGuide i700 allows customers to streamline development cycles, simplify system architecture and transition to field deployment more quickly than existing technology.

The HGuide i700’s rugged design, compact size and low-power profile make it suitable for diverse commercial, industrial and defense applications, such as:
- Unmanned aerial, land or sea vehicles
- Mobile mapping and surveying systems
- Long duration unmanned ground or surface platforms
- Robotics and industrial automation
- Stabilized payloads and pointing systems
Honeywell has been a top innovator in IMU technology for more than three decades and pioneered the use of MEMS technologies in navigation. For more information about the Honeywell HGuide i700 and Honeywell’s navigation solutions, visit Honeywell Aerospace.
March 9, 2026
Anello Photonics and Mythos AI to advance resilient navigation for maritime, USVs
Collaboration focused on enabling plug-and-play, GPS-denied navigation capabilities for next-generation maritime platforms

Anello Photonics and Mythos AI are accelerating deployment of resilient, plug-and-play navigation solutions for the maritime sector. The collaboration brings together Anello’s advanced inertial sensing technology and Mythos AI’s intelligent autonomy software to address the growing need for resilient navigation in GPS-challenged environments.

Anello is creator of the Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOG). By combining SiPhOG-based inertial navigation with advanced sensor fusion and AI-driven collaborative autonomy, Anello and Mythos AI are delivering a fully integrated, plug-and-play solution that maintains performance when satellite signals are degraded or unavailable. It is designed to drop seamlessly into both next-generation and legacy maritime platforms. A multi-mission open systems architecture enables scalable deployment across defense, commercial and hybrid maritime operations.

Strategic focus on maritime autonomy and USVs

The initiative is particularly relevant to the rapidly evolving unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market. As USVs take on expanded roles in offshore energy, maritime security, hydrography, environmental monitoring and defense missions, complete end-to-end dependable navigation is essential to safe and effective operations.

A resilient, GPS-independent navigation capability enables:
- greater operational assurance in GPS-denied or contested maritime environments
- enhanced autonomy and mission continuity during signal disruptions
- reduced integration complexity for OEMs and system integrators
- scalability across a broad range of vessel sizes and mission profiles.
Anello and Mythos AI will collaborate with OEMs, integrators and end users to align the solution with evolving operational and regulatory demands.
March 2, 2026
CHC Navigation releases Apache 6 USV for high-resolution marine surveying

CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has released the Apache 6–2026 Edition, an integrated unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed for high-resolution bathymetric and 3D mapping applications. Built to accommodate NORBIT multibeam echosounders, the Apache 6 delivers a comprehensive solution for underwater surveying, object positioning, and offshore construction support in varying aquatic conditions.

The Apache 6 – 2026 Edition is optimized for seamless integration with the NORBIT iWBMS and WINGHEAD series of multibeam echosounders. An optional NORBIT iLiDAR can also be integrated, allowing for the simultaneous collection of marine and terrestrial 3D data in a single pass. This capability is particularly efficient for projects that require mapping both underwater topography and overhead structures, such as bridges and power lines, making it a comprehensive tool for harbor, river and infrastructure surveys.

Automated Sound Velocity Profiling
Accurate sound velocity measurement is fundamental to high-quality bathymetric data. The Apache 6 – 2026 Edition addresses this with an optional automated sound velocity profiler (SVP) kit. This system can be controlled directly from the remote controller, allowing the operator to perform SVP casts on-demand without interrupting the survey workflow. The kit is designed for rapid deployment — attachable or detachable in under a minute — ensuring that the multibeam echosounder data is continuously corrected with the most accurate sound speed information, which is critical for meeting stringent survey specifications.

The USV combines a detachable triple-hull vessel design with smart rotating propeller technology to deliver both stability and agility in varied conditions. The robust hull configuration ensures reliable performance in strong currents, while removable side floats enable safe operations in shallow waters. Intelligent propeller control adjusts water flow direction to achieve a turning radius of approximately two meters, supporting effective navigation in confined or winding channels.

Android-Based Control
Survey operations are streamlined through an intelligent Android remote controller, which provides real-time access to vessel status and data without the need for a separate field computer.

The interface allows for straightforward management of the survey workflow, while a multi-link communication system ensures reliable data transmission over long distances. This setup enables surveyors to maintain seamless control over the Apache 6 and monitor mission progress effectively from the shore.

January 20, 2026
ComNav unveils innovative products ‘From Earth to Ocean’

At a recent product launch event, ComNav Technology unveiled a new technological ecosystem for surveying. Under the theme “From Earth to Ocean,” the company presented a suite of next-generation innovations engineered to advance the frontiers of geospatial and hydrographic intelligence.

ML300 mobile laser scanning system

Precision surveying in complex environments

The ML300 mobile laser scanning system is designed for large-scale surveying projects and complex environments. It incorporates multi-mode fusion positioning technology, integrating GNSS, IMU, DMI and laser SLAM, providing a new approach to 3D scene reconstruction.

This system is designed for environments where GNSS signals are limited or entirely lost, such as tunnels, urban canyons, and densely built-up areas. In these challenging environments, traditional surveying methods often fail to deliver the required precision, but with ML300’s intelligent multi-mode positioning, we ensure accurate 3D scene reconstruction regardless of the conditions.

The ML300 mobile laser scanning system incorporates multi-mode fusion positioning technology. (Photo: ComNavTech)

The core advantages of the ML300 lie in its high precision and flexibility. By combining Laser SLAM and DMI technologies, it can operate effectively without GNSS signals, eliminating errors and improving modeling accuracy. This breakthrough offers new solutions for large-scale land surveys, urban infrastructure monitoring, and smart city planning, among others.

Designed for operational efficiency, the ML300 boasts a modular and highly flexible design. It can be customized with various sensors, including road cameras, Ladybug 6 panoramic cameras, and wheel encoders, making it adaptable to a wide range of project needs. Additionally, with up to 6 hours of battery life and external power source support, the ML300 ensures stable performance during long working hours.

Whether for highway surveys, urban power line inspections, dynamic forestry management, or smart transportation system development, the ML300 provides precise and efficient data support, facilitating digital transformation across various industries.

The SV3 USV is designed to be portable and usable by a single surveyor. (Photo: ComNavTech)

SV300 unmanned surface vessel

Intelligent underwater surveying

The SV300 unmanned surface vessel was designed specifically for intelligent underwater surveying. This autonomous vessel is optimized for operation in complex aquatic environments, integrating high-precision GNSS positioning, AI technologies, and autonomous navigation capabilities, enhancing both the efficiency and accuracy of hydrographic surveys.

Its design focus on making underwater exploration smarter, safer and more efficient. Its ultra-light design (28 kg) and compact hull (less than 1 meter in length) enable single-person operation. The SV300 can be stored in the trunk of a small vehicle.

Equipped with a high-performance single-beam bathymetric measurement system, the SV300 can measure depths up to 200 meters, ensuring reliable data. Its streamlined hull and powerful motor enable a top speed of 7 meters per second, accelerating survey speeds without compromising accuracy.

The intelligent features of the SV300 enhance measurement efficiency and ensure the safety of personnel. Whether used for river, lake or ocean surveys, or in emergency response and pipeline inspections, the SV300 adapts to complex environments inunderwater exploration.

HYD10 portable echo sounder

Compact and precise

The HYD10 is a lightweight, high-precision echo sounder designed for modern surveying tasks. Weighing 0.3 kg for the main unit and 1.5 kg for the transducer, its portability means a single operator to carry and operate. Its compact design and Bluetooth capability allow it to function seamlessly in tight spaces and complex environments, removing the need for cumbersome cables.

With a measurement depth range of 0.3m to 200 m, the HYD10 provides high-precision readings with accuracy ±1 cm + 0.1% of water depth and 1 cm resolution. The 200 kHz depth module and narrow 6° beam angle ensure precise, clear data, while an adjustable sound speed range (1300-1700 m/s) adapts to different water conditions.

For greater operational flexibility, the HYD10 integrates with Survey Master software, supporting real-time monitoring, data processing and wireless connections through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is compatible with a variety of positioning devices, including the P6H and P8H tablets, as well as a wide range of RTK receivers. The P6H provides centimeter-level positioning accuracy, while the P8H offers flexible antenna adjustments for various field conditions.

The R80 GNSS Data Collector is designed for modern surveying. (Photo: ComNavTech)

R80 GNSS data collector

Precision in surveyors’ hands

The R80 GNSS data collector is designed to improve field technology, engineered for demanding tasks in construction, mining, surveying and GIS. The R80 has an octa-core processor, delivering rapid CAD and map loading to ensure smooth operation and boost productivity. The ergonomic design with an 18-degree grip angle maximizes one-hand comfort, reducing fatigue during long hours of operation.

The R80 features ultra-wide mechanical keys with tactile feedback, offering precise control with a 0.8 mm travel and pressure sensing. It includes custom quick-measure keys for easy access to measurement functions. The 51-key backlit keyboard and a 6-inch 1080P display ensure clear visibility even in direct sunlight. With a 9000 mAh battery, it supports more than 16 hours of continuous operation. It holds an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and has passed a 1.5-meter drop test.

It supports 4G LTE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC, and has a 13MP autofocus camera for high-definition imagery. Survey Master software, integrated with a CADX engine, enables instant opening of large drawings and ensures smooth field operations.

December 5, 2025
Nortek enables USV navigation in GNSS-denied environments

Nortek’s DVL 333 Surface, designed specifically for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), enables USVs to maintain position or navigate when GNSS is lost.

Uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), often called sea drones, help monitor, map and secure the world’s oceans, performing tasks and surveys for less expense and risk than traditional crewed vessels. USVs are used in environmental monitoring, offshore inspection, subsea infrastructure protection, and defense missions such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

USVs require reliable navigation and positioning information, particularly when performing autonomous operations. This information typically comes from GNSS.

But during GNSS outages, USV operators are turning to alternative sensors for positioning. Without GNSS, a sole inertial navigation system (INS) on a vessel quickly drifts outside of acceptable levels when performing dead-reckoning navigation. By adding a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) to the USV, operators can perform long-distance, dead-reckoning-based positioning with much lower drift.

USVs using INS in the absence of GNSS achieve improved accuracy with the addition of a DVL, which limits drift inherent to INS-only navigation. (Image: Nortek)

In subsea navigation systems, DVLs provide vehicle velocity information using acoustic returns from the seabed. Because DVLs offer an accurate velocity estimate with no drift, combining a DVL with an INS constrains the drift that would accumulate with an INS alone. Using a DVL allows USVs to maintain position or even navigate without requiring GNSS information, enabling fully autonomous navigation independent of potentially vulnerable signals.

However, deploying DVLs on surface vessels introduces its own set of engineering and operational challenges. Conventional DVLs typically feature protruding transducer heads that are not flush with a vessel’s hull — challenging on smaller or high-speed vessels.

The DVL 333 Surface. (Photo: Nortek)

The compact Nortek DVL 333 Surface is designed for flush-hull installation, minimizing drag and protrusion below the hull line. It features a concave, fluid-filled transducer cavity sealed with an acoustic window, allowing for full control of sound velocity and eliminating the need for a hull-mounted speed-of-sound sensor.

When paired with a high-grade INS, the DVL 333 Surface delivers accurate position updates even during GNSS outages or interference. Its 300-meter bottom-track range supports fully autonomous operation in coastal waters, while a water-track mode extends functionality in deeper environments where the bottom is out of range. The DVL333 Surface can also be upgraded to Nortek’s VM Operations vessel-mounted ADCP system. For ease of maintenance, an optional type-certified sea valve allows in-water servicing without dry-docking.

Validating capabilities in the field

The capabilities of the DVL 333 Surface were demonstrated during field trials in the Oslofjord, an inlet in Norway. The test site presented conditions representative of complex coastal environments, where depth can vary significantly over short distances, and the seabed composition ranges from soft sediment to rock. Unlike uniform test sites with flat, sandy bottoms, the Oslofjord provides a realistic proving ground for challenging navigation scenarios.

“Our goal was to demonstrate that a surface vessel can maintain precise positional accuracy even during a complete GNSS blackout, and to do so in truly challenging coastal conditions,” said Torstein Pedersen, Nortek.

Nortek’s DVL 333 Surface installed in a fairing ready for testing in the Oslofjord. (Photo: Nortek)

The navigation tests were carried out using a DVL 333 Surface integrated with an Exail PHINS 6000 INS. Although the trial track was relatively short, the system’s performance quickly stabilized, achieving a stable, long-term accuracy of approximately 0.05% of distance traveled (for instance, 50 cm error each 1 km traveled). When bottom track was disabled (simulating operation outside of the DVL 333 Surface’s 300 m bottom track range) and only water track was used with the PHINS INS, the horizontal position error remained within 8 meters over a three-hour run, with the DVL operating solely in water-track mode. In this mode, the INS estimates background currents, which were accurately estimated as weak, stationary currents.

“We were particularly impressed with the performance of the system when using just water track mode,” Pedersen said. “The Exail INS was able to use the water track information to estimate currents and correct for them in the navigation, which is not an easy task to do with accuracy over extended periods. This performance is critical for open water navigation.”

These results confirm that the DVL 333 Surface delivers reliable navigation performance in variable bottom conditions and without a direct speed-of-sound measurement. More importantly, they demonstrate the availability of a commercially available DVL that overcomes the challenges typically faced when adapting subsurface systems for surface platforms.

Positional error as a function of distance traveled, showing long-term accuracy settling below 0.05% over a transit distance of >6 km. (Image: Nortek)

November 14, 2025
SatLab unveils USV system for 3D hydrographic surveys

SatLab has introduced the HydroBoat 1200MB, a compact uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) system engineered for 3D hydrographic surveying in inland and nearshore waters. The system integrates SatLab’s autonomous vessel platform with the HydroBeam M2 multibeam echosounder, providing a portable solution intended to streamline data collection in shallow or confined environments.

The HydroBoat 1200MB is developed as a fully integrated unit, combining navigation, sonar data acquisition, real-time visualization and data management. According to the company, it is designed to assist small teams in conducting geospatial reconnaissance and hydrographic assessments with minimal setup and reduced operational complexity.

SatLab reports that the system supports a seamless workflow, from survey planning through to the delivery of final results. The vessel features an integrated inertial navigation system that delivers roll, pitch and yaw measurements without requiring field calibration. Its real-time data visualization capabilities allow users to view high-resolution 3D point clouds, bathymetric profiles and sidescan imagery across multiple devices, which allows for immediate quality control and decision-making in the field.

The HydroBoat 1200MB incorporates SatLab’s proprietary sound speed profile inversion technology, which enables real-time sound velocity correction without the need for separate sound velocity profilers. The system is designed for operational efficiency, with deployment possible in under five minutes and control managed through an Android-based interface.

Equipped with a multibeam configuration offering 512 beams and a swath coverage of 30 to 150 degrees, the HydroBoat 1200MB is intended to allow users to survey larger areas compared to singlebeam alternatives. According to SatLab, this configuration can result in up to a 7.5-fold increase in survey efficiency and potential cost reductions of up to 50%, due to the elimination of auxiliary equipment and simplified field operations.

The HydroBoat 1200MB can be used in a variety of applications, including river and reservoir surveys, bank mapping, structural inspections, sediment transport monitoring and infrastructure assessment. It is designed to meet data quality standards set by the International Hydrographic Organization, the Canadian Hydrographic Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

June 30, 2025
Launchpad: Anti-jamming, underwater topographic surveying, Triple-Band RTK receivers and more
A roundup of recent products in the GNSS and inertial positioning industry from the November 2024 issue of GPS World magazine.

OEM

High-Dynamics MEMS Gyro
Designed for precision navigation applications

The GYPRO4300 is a high-dynamics MEMS gyro designed for precision navigation applications. It features a ±300 °/s input range, 200 Hz bandwidth and 1 ms latency, making it ideal for dynamic environments. With a bias instability of 0.4 °/h and an angular random walk of 0.07 °/√h, the GYPRO4300 offers high-performance sensing in a compact, digital and low size, weight and power (SWaP) package.

Building on the GYPRO4300, the GYPRO4050 is a specialized north-seeking gyro for low-dynamics applications. This derivative offers 2° azimuth accuracy and is currently in the customer sampling stage. The GYPRO4050 maintains the same miniature package design as its predecessor, ensuring consistency across the product line.

At INTERGEO 2024, TDK showcased a prototype based on an ongoing research and development project. This new development utilizes the same miniature package as the GYPRO4300 and GYPRO4050 but demonstrates ultra-low noise capabilities, achieving an azimuth accuracy of less than 1°. This product is slated for launch in 2025.

Tronics Microsystems, tronics.tdk.com

Anti-Jamming
For challenging GNSS environments

This series of anti-jamming antennas comes in two models, PT023 and PT024. The antennas are specifically engineered to operate in challenging environments characterized by complex electromagnetic interference, high-power signals and strong multipath effects.

They are well-suited for scenarios involving low-elevation angle interference, high-power interference sources and radio communication system noise. The PT023 model utilizes multiple array elements combined with amplitude and phase manipulation to achieve spatial radiation shaping. This antenna also incorporates advanced multi-level filtering technology, effectively suppressing out-of-band noise power.

The PT024 model features vertical and horizontal two-dimensional polarization suppressors. This design effectively mitigates the reception of both odd and even LHCP and RHCP signals originating from the rear of the antenna, according to the company. It can also suppress low-elevation multipath signals at the same frequency and out-of-band noise signals. These features seek to enhance the antenna’s performance in complex electromagnetic environments.

Harxon Corporation, harxon.com

Triple-Band RTK Receivers
Integrated into ArduSimple’s evaluation boards

The UM980, UM981 and UM982 RTK modules are integrated into the ArduSimple simpleRTK3B series to accelerate high-precision GNSS integration. Supporting Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) and fast update rate (50Hz), these devices are suitable for applications that require reliable and precise navigation.
- SimpleRTK3B Budget (UM980): The most affordable step into triple-band precision.
- SimpleRTK3B Fusion (UM981): Ideal for projects that need GNSS and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor fusion or tilt compensation.
- SimpleRTK3B Compass (UM982): Designed for setups requiring dual antennas to determine the heading on moving platforms.
ArduSimple has also integrated Unicore UM980, UM981 or UM982 modules into the simpleRTK3B Micro Unicore, part of its compact Micro-format lineup. It is designed for simple PCB integration, which can significantly speed up the development process and the time to market for new products.

Unicore, en.unicore.com

OEM GNSS Antenna
Full-band, full-frequency antennas

The HX-SE402A and HX-SE403A are full-band, full-frequency antennas that integrate GNSS capabilities with a low-profile radio antenna to support 858-878MHz and 902-928MHz frequency bands. This addresses the growing need for devices requiring both navigation and communication functionalities. Harxon’s new low-profile technology achieves the same functionality at 10 mm height, allowing greater versatility in applications that demand precise positioning alongside wireless communication. Additionally, Harxon offers custom tuning services to optimize integration into OEM end-user modules for specific applications.

Harxon Corporation, harxon.com

UAV

OEMs
Engineered for autonomous applications

Advanced Navigation has expanded its Certus product line by introducing the Certus Mini series. This development marks a significant advancement in compact and high-performance navigation technology for field robots, autonomous vehicles and UAVs.

The Certus Mini series comes in three variants:
- Certus Mini D: A dual-antenna inertial navigation system (INS).
- Certus Mini N: A GNSS-aided INS.
- Certus Mini A: An attitude and heading reference system (AHRS).
These lightweight systems, weighing no more than 55 grams (1.9 oz), offer impressive performance and cost-efficiency for their size. The Certus Mini D utilizes dual-antenna GNSS for accurate heading, position and velocity measurements. It operates on L1/L5 multi-constellation GNSS and offers enhanced interference immunity and position accuracy, particularly in challenging urban environments. The Certus Mini series suits various applications, including surveying, agricultural robotics, open-pit mining and asset tracking.

Advanced Navigation, advancednavigation.com

Direct Georeferencing Solution
Designed for UAV mapping

The APX RTX portfolio is a new line of direct georeferencing solutions designed for UAV mapping sensors. This system enables high-accuracy mapping across diverse environments, ideal for OEMs and UAV payload integrators. At the core of the APX RTX portfolio is the Trimble CenterPoint RTX technology, which offers both real-time and post-mission direct georeferencing. This capability allows for centimeter-level accuracy without the need for base stations, making it compatible with various sensors, including cameras, lidar and hyperspectral mapping devices.

Trimble, trimble.com

Fixed-Wing UAV
Integrates YellowScan Voyager lidar

The DT46 lidar UAV is a fixed-wing system designed for long-distance inspections and the creation of precise digital twins. The DT46 model integrates the YellowScan Voyager lidar with a high-resolution RGB camera. Equipped with a laser scanner with a 100° field of view and an acquisition rate of up to 2400 kHz, the YellowScan Voyager offers optimal point density for demanding projects.

With a flight range of up to 300 km, depending on whether vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) or catapult take-off is employed, the UAV is designed for long-distance operations and can be deployed in under 15 minutes without requiring specialized tools. This autonomous solution offers a seamless end-to-end solution for various industries requiring aerial surveying and inspection capabilities.

DELAIR, delair.aero

Surveying

GNSS Receiver
Featuring a multi-constellation antenna

The Stonex S900 GNSS receiver features a high-accuracy, multi-constellation antenna, a powerful UHF transmitter and the GSM 4G modem for a fully integrated communications choice, combined with a light and modern design. It tracks signals from GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and QZSS satellites. On the S900, two smart hot-swappable batteries can be inserted simultaneously, ensuring a maximum of 12 hours of operation. The power level can be checked and seen on the controller or directly on an LED bar on the battery.

Stonex, stonex.it

USV
For underwater topographic surveying

The HydroBoat 1500 is a versatile unmanned surface vessel (USV) driven by four powerful thrusters and designed to carry out underwater topographic surveys of lakes, rivers, reservoirs and other bodies of water. With a payload capacity of 60 kg, it can be integrated with the SatLab HydroBeam M4 portable multibeam echosounder, as well as a variety of other payloads such as side scan sonars and ADCPs. The vessel is IP67-rated and includes a millimeter-wave radar and 360° omnidirectional camera for accurate obstacle detection and safe navigation. It is also equipped with a dual RF and 4G cellular communications system.

SatLab, satlab.com

Laser RTK
With a laser range of up to 50 m

The Jupiter Laser RTK integrates GNSS, auto-IMU (inertial measurement unit), laser and dual-camera systems into a single unit. It incorporates a precise green laser that remains visible even in bright daylight. This feature allows for precise measurements of points in hard-to-reach, signal-blocked or potentially hazardous locations. It also features a night vision camera, allowing users to see feature points even in low-light conditions.

The RTK system’s laser range is up to 50 m, making it suitable for challenging surveying environments. It incorporates visual technology to offer surveyors an immersive experience during surveying and stakeout operations, improving working efficiency and productivity.

Comnav Technology, comnavtech.com

UAV Lidar Scanner
Designed for aerial surveying

EchoONE combines Teledyne’s lidar and camera technology with Inertial Labs’ remote sensing payload instrument (RESEPI). EchoONE is designed for industries requiring precise aerial surveying and mapping solutions, such as land surveying, electric utility vegetation management, asset modeling, as well as transportation and infrastructure projects. Users can create detailed 3D models for infrastructure and asset management, offering valuable insights for maintenance and planning. EchoONE also generates fully undecimated georeferenced point clouds in real time, which allows for in-field verification. This capability is complemented by rapid post-processing through RESEPI’s “one-click” PC-Master Pro solution.

Teledyne Geospatial, teledyneimaging.com

Receiver
With IMU tilt compensation

The i83 Pro is an inertial measurement unit (IMU) real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS receiver. This receiver combines GNSS capabilities with extensive compatibility options to address the diverse needs of surveying, construction, and mapping professionals. It incorporates CHCNAV’s third-generation GNSS antenna and the latest iStar algorithm, designed to boost GNSS signal tracking efficiency by 30%, according to the company. With 336 channels supporting GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and QZSS constellations, it can achieve centimeter-level precision rapidly, even in challenging environments.

The i83 Pro supports various GNSS surveying modes, such as RTK Networks NTRIP and UHF base-rover configurations. It features an IP68-rated enclosure for dust and water protection, a compact and lightweight design for enhanced portability, a high-resolution color display for clear status information and a 20-hour battery life for continuous operation in rover mode.

CHC Navigation, chcnav.com

Mapping

Software Solution
Featuring a GIS interface

LP360 Land is designed to process lidar, GNSS and SLAM data from handheld sensors, particularly the TrueView GO handheld scanner. It features a GIS interface that allows users to combine various geospatial datasets and offers SLAM point cloud processing capabilities. Additionally, LP360 Land includes advanced visualization tools that support multiple synchronized windows for 2D, 3D, profile and immersive views.

Its coordinate system management includes datum and projection transformations. The software also offers quality assurance and control (QA/QC) tools, along with data editing and cleaning functionalities. Users can perform manual and automatic registration of point clouds and utilize an image explorer for contextual analysis by linking point clouds to photos, which allows for the generation of accurate and colorized point clouds even in GPS-denied environments.

GeoCue, geocue.com
November 25, 2024
Maritime Robotics, Teledyne Marine deliver USVs to Ukraine

Image: Maritime Robotics

Maritime Robotics, a Norwegian provider of autonomous technology, and Teledyne Marine have delivered several unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to Ukraine’s Navy for advanced sensor data collection.

Maritime Robotics’ Otter USV, equipped with the Teledyne RESON SeaBAT T51-R multibeam echosounder, is now being used by Ukraine’s Navy. The USV is designed for critical data collection without endangering human lives, as the sensors are carried by an unmanned vehicle. The data and information collected by the USV aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defense, enhance maritime traffic security and support the safety of civilians in the areas.

Otter USV is part of Maritime Robotics’ portfolio of autonomous technologies capable of supporting military personnel in mapping and securing marine environments. Controlled and navigated remotely, Maritime Robotics’ USVs are designed to identify, locate and safely neutralize potential threats such as explosive devices and sea mines.

December 7, 2023
Seen & Heard: Invasive species vs. UAVs and protecting farms with GIS

“Seen & Heard” is a monthly feature of GPS World magazine, traveling the world to capture interesting and unusual news stories involving the GNSS/PNT industry.

I Wonder What’s Under There?

Image: Lokibaho/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Researchers at the University of Connecticut have conducted one of the largest understory species mapping projects using satellite data and have published the results of the study in the Remote Sensing of Environment journal. In this study, the researchers proposed an automated dense Sentinel-2 time series-based approach for understory plant communities and created maps of four understory classes that include native shrubs of greenbrier and mountain laurel, invasive shrubs of barberry, and the assemblage of mixed invasives at 10 m resolution in Connecticut’s deciduous forests. The researchers developed a strategy that distinguished plant species with an accuracy of 93% and determined that 53% of Connecticut’s understory is now comprised of invasive plant species such as barberry, bittersweet, winged euonymus (burning bush), and multi-flora rose.

Invasive Species VS. UAVs

Image: Donn Bartram

Researchers at West Virginia University are using UAVs to develop tools to detect, map, treat and monitor invasive plant species with a grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. Multiflora rose is an invasive shrub that threatens native plants in more than 40 states, including West Virginia and Pennsylvania. This project aims to equip UAVs with sensors to collect environmental data in a designated area of southwestern Pennsylvania over multiple seasons. The research team will use that data, combined with machine learning technology, to develop software that can identify multiflora rose and, eventually, other invasive species.

Protecting Farms with GIS

Image: Daniel Balakov/E+/Getty Images

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is partnering with government agencies and advocacy groups in South Carolina to deploy GIS mapping tools to predict areas at the highest risk of development in the state. Palmetto 2040: Visioning Alternative Futures, Launching Solutions is a geospatial modeling and policy analysis tool designed to identify and model future outcomes. This mapping tool will project what land in South Carolina is at highest risk of development by 2040. The analysis will consider both rapid population growth and climate change impact on settlement patterns and agriculture, according to AFT.

USV Take Hurricanes

Image: SailDrone

Saildrone is deploying 12 uncrewed surface vehicles (USV) into the tropical Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico this summer, supporting research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to advance hurricane forecasting. Ten USVs will be deployed from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Charleston, South Carolina; to operate in areas with a high probability of intercepting a storm, as indicated by historical data. Two vehicles will remain on land, ready for quick deployment in the event of an approaching hurricane. NOAA will use the data collected by the USVs to improve hurricane forecast models.

September 1, 2023
USVs study hurricanes with the NOAA

Graphic showing the USV domain areas during the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane mission. (Image: SailDrone)

Saildrone — a data solutions company for maritime security, ocean mapping, and ocean data — is deploying 12 uncrewed surface vehicles (USV) into the tropical Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico this summer, supporting the research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to advance hurricane forecasting.

Saildrone is deploying 10 USVs from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Petersburg, FL, and Charleston, SC, to operate in areas with a high probability of intercepting a storm, as indicated by historical data. Two vehicles will remain on land, ready for quick deployment in the event of an approaching hurricane.

Image: SailDrone

A Saildrone Explorer is a 23-ft USV propelled by the wind and powered by solar energy. During the past two missions in 2021 and 2022, Saildrone vehicles sailed through several storms and major hurricanes, including Hurricane Sam in 2021, and Hurricane Fiona in 2022.

In addition to the Saildrone Explorers, NOAA is using a variety of aerial, surface, and sub-surface technologies, — including its Hurricane Hunter airplanes, small, uncrewed aircraft systems, gliders, drifters and floats.

The goal is to create a complete picture of the ocean-atmosphere interactions that drive hurricanes.

The USVs will transmit data, including air temperature and relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, water temperature and salinity, sea surface temperature, and wave height and period in near real time to scientists at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Saildrone’s science partners for the mission.

NOAA will use the data collected by the USVs to improve hurricane forecast models. The data will also be archived by NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service and sent by NOAA to the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Telecommunication System, where it is available for the world’s major forecast centers — some 20 agencies worldwide, including NOAA.

July 11, 2023
CHC Navigation: The boat boost

To improve the efficiency of their hydrographic surveying services and expand them, Coastal Geomatics evaluated multiple USV, choosing the CHC Apache 4. (Image: Coastal Geomatics)

Time (and costs) saved using unmanned surface vessels (USV) over conventional methods for hydrography can be dramatic — especially in autonomous mode. Numerous firms, large and small, have discovered how modest investments in such craft can completely revolutionize their hydrographic operations. One such firm is the family owned and operated Coastal Geomatics in North Carolina.

“With conventional methods, it used to take us four weeks with a three- or four-person crew to do the bathymetry for 26 canals that we do every two years for the City of Holden Beach,” Chris Stanley, owner and manager of Coastal Geomatics, said. “Now, with our Apache we do this over four days of high tide; about four to five hours per day.”

Stanley had been surveying in the local area for more than 30 years and had partnered in several local firms. In 2020, he decided to start his own firm, together with his two adult sons Alan and Ian: Coastal Geomatics was born.

“We do a lot of boundary work, and topographic surveys as there is a lot of construction going on in the area,” Alan said. “We also do flood insurance work, FEMA elevation certificates, and hydrographic work — we are on the coast.” Holden Beach is on one of North Carolina’s barrier islands, separated from the mainland by the Intercoastal Waterway. Coastal Geomatics has standing contracts to do hydro work for FEMA beach erosion annually, and the biennial canal surveys for the city.

The move to a USV for hydrographic surveys made a lot of sense, however a past bad experience with the technology prompted Stanley to be extra diligent in choosing a boat. At one firm for which the elder Stanley had worked in the past, they had acquired a USV that he said was essentially “a jet ski, with a mix of components cobbled together.” He added that they had never really gotten it to work right, and it now sits idle in a storage unit.

The Stanleys did some research on the current state of small USV, noting that some still seem like “contraptions” and decided instead to test out three models from CHC Navigation: the Apache 3, 4, and 6. They had considered the tri-hulled Apache 6 for some offshore work they sometimes do, however, they chose the Apache 4 for now. It has a dual GNSS antennas for position and heading that is tightly coupled with an IMU for uninterrupted positions, a single beam echo sounder, and a 360° camera. It has a sensor well that can accommodate most of the popular models of acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCP), though Coastal Geomatics is not presently using an ADCP. It can be run fully autonomously for missions defined in the AutoPlanner software, or remotely piloted — Coastal Geomatics needed both options. They noted how the boat is compact, easy to operate, and all components are well integrated with watertight seals.

For open water areas of their contracted surveys, they put the USV in full autonomous mode, where they say it is quite efficient. However, there are specific tasks where a remote pilot needs to take over.

The canals surveyed for the city to inform dredging operations are about 100 feet wide and each house has a floating dock. There is a 20- to 30-foot strip between the docks. The old method, Ian explained, was to put one of the crew in a small flat bottomed Jon boat, with a crew member on each side of the canal, often with a fourth using a total station. Points across the canal from bulkhead to bulkhead were taken with a long prism pole, handing the pole off to the crew member on the other side after each crossing. The dynamics of which residents’ boats might be at the docks on any given day made full autonomy for that phase of the surveys impractical.

Coastal Geomatics’ solution was to employ a peddle-powered kayak, guiding the Apache remotely. The flexibility of their new craft has enabled the firm to execute multiple types of surveys and expand their hydrographic services more efficiently.

April 10, 2023
Fugro to design USV Blue Prism for geophysical surveys

Fugro’s Blue Prism USV will have greater endurance, improved weather resilience and ultra-low carbon emissions. (Image: Fugro)

Fugro has signed a contract with Kooiman Engineering and Van Oossanen Naval Architects for the naval design of Blue Prism, Fugro’s next generation of unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

Engineered for both coastal and offshore operations, the Blue Prism will combine an ultra-low carbon footprint with high-quality data collection, weather resilience and endurance characteristics, Fugro explained in a press release.

Available in 2023, Fugro’s Blue Prism will acquire high-accuracy bathymetry and sub-bottom data using hull-mounted sensors, while also having the ability to tow multiple geophysical sensors. It will also be capable of beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations.

Together with Fugro’s smart data-management software, the speed and endurance of the Blue Prism will reduce risk and accelerate project delivery in offshore wind, hydrographic charting and coastal resilience.

“To re-think the design and layout of a vessel without a crew is a dream come true for a naval architect,” said Perry van Oossanen, managing director and naval architect at Van Oossanen Naval Architects. “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting project in which the best techniques in Dutch ship building are combined in this new uncrewed ultra-efficient vessel.”

“The collaboration between Kooiman and Van Oossanen has already led to innovative solutions, and we are pleased to be able to help Fugro take the next step in uncrewed vessels,” said Maarten Kooiman, director of Kooiman Engineering.

July 13, 2022