Geospatial Solutions and GPS World‘s Art Kalinski reports from eMerge Americas, held May 4-5 in Miami. eMerge Americas is a global idea exchange focusing on how technology and innovation are disrupting industries. The conference serves as a platform connecting startups, cutting-edge ideas and global industry leaders and investors across North America, Europe and Latin America.
Blog
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Raytheon Demonstrates Advanced GPS OCX Capabilities
On June 3, Raytheon demonstrated the advanced capabilities of the GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (GPS OCX) to key U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and other stakeholders through a series of realistic operational demonstrations.
The demonstrations, which incorporated software that will be delivered with the Launch and Checkout System, validated how automation will improve system efficiency and effectiveness.
GPS OCX is the ground-based command and control system that will manage GPS satellites with significantly improved accuracy and precision, while providing unprecedented levels of cyber protection.
“These successful demonstrations incorporating actual GPS OCX software reflect Raytheon’s significant and continuing progress on this program and the growing maturity of this very complex system,” said Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information and Services. “Once delivered, this pathfinding, cyber-hardened ground system will significantly enhance the capabilities GPS brings to military, civil and commercial users worldwide,” said Wajsgras.
The demonstration provided DoD and other stakeholders with a look at how OCX will automate many tasks currently performed manually, resulting in reduced opportunities for error and increased operational tempo for delivering military and other applications, Raytheon said.
Raytheon demonstrated the benefits of OCX in providing new high-power, jam-resistant military signal known as M-code, as well as the system’s unprecedented cyber automation, detection and response capabilities.
Raytheon is installing the Block 0 Launch and Checkout System (LCS) hardware at Schriever Air Force Base. LCS software, which includes the cyber-hardened infrastructure for OCX Block 1, is in the qualification test phase and is on track for delivery in mid-2016.
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Trimble Expands UAS Portfolio with Mutlirotor Partnership
Trimble displayed the Multirotor G4 Surveying Robot at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems Show in May. Trimble is partnering with unmanned aircraft system (UAS) manufacturer Multirotor service-drone, GmbH. The collaboration will allow Trimble to expand its existing UAS portfolio to provide its customers with additional solutions to choose from based on their aerial imaging project needs.
Multirotor service-drone, based in Germany, is a manufacturer of multirotor systems. Trimble will be Multirotor service-drone’s exclusive provider of multirotor vehicles for aerial mapping use in surveying, construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas, and utilities. The combination of Multirotor service-drone’s stable and reliable platforms with Trimble’s industry-leading sensor technology and workflow efficiencies will provide customers with best-in-class solutions for aerial data capture.
Unmanned multirotor systems are powerful solutions for visually documenting smaller areas, vertical structures or environments where holding position is important. High-resolution imagery, orthophotos, terrain models and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) map deliverables created from multirotor data provide valuable information for the survey, engineering and agriculture industries that Trimble serves, the company said.
“We are very excited to partner with Multirotor service-drone. At Trimble we’re always looking for ways to meet our customer’s needs and enable them to solve the complex problems they encounter every day,” said Todd Steiner, product marketing director in Trimble’s Geospatial Division. “The collaboration will enable our customers to use a technology rapidly growing in popularity due to its flexibility and productivity.”
Founded in March 2011, Multirotor service-drone quickly became a market leader in the area of professional unmanned aerial systems. In 2013, service-drone acquired competitor Multirotor and together developed the award-winning fourth-generation flight control system used in its service-drone products today. Multirotor service-drone offers a broad range of commercially used UAS within the 8 to 50 pound (4 to 25 KG) weight class. Designed and manufactured in Germany, Multirotor service-drone products are built to deliver safety, quality and consistency for professional applications, according to the company.
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Trimble Expands UAS Portfolio with Multirotor Partnership
Trimble displayed the Multirotor G4 Surveying Robot at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems Show in May. Trimble is partnering with unmanned aircraft system (UAS) manufacturer Multirotor service-drone, GmbH. The collaboration will allow Trimble to expand its existing UAS portfolio to provide its customers with additional solutions to choose from based on their aerial imaging project needs.
Multirotor service-drone, based in Germany, is a manufacturer of multirotor systems. Trimble will be Multirotor service-drone’s exclusive provider of multirotor vehicles for aerial mapping use in surveying, construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas, and utilities. The combination of Multirotor service-drone’s stable and reliable platforms with Trimble’s industry-leading sensor technology and workflow efficiencies will provide customers with best-in-class solutions for aerial data capture.
Unmanned multirotor systems are powerful solutions for visually documenting smaller areas, vertical structures or environments where holding position is important. High-resolution imagery, orthophotos, terrain models and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) map deliverables created from multirotor data provide valuable information for the survey, engineering and agriculture industries that Trimble serves, the company said.
“We are very excited to partner with Multirotor service-drone. At Trimble we’re always looking for ways to meet our customer’s needs and enable them to solve the complex problems they encounter every day,” said Todd Steiner, product marketing director in Trimble’s Geospatial Division. “The collaboration will enable our customers to use a technology rapidly growing in popularity due to its flexibility and productivity.”
Founded in March 2011, Multirotor service-drone quickly became a market leader in the area of professional unmanned aerial systems. In 2013, service-drone acquired competitor Multirotor and together developed the award-winning fourth-generation flight control system used in its service-drone products today. Multirotor service-drone offers a broad range of commercially used UAS within the 8 to 50 pound (4 to 25 KG) weight class. Designed and manufactured in Germany, Multirotor service-drone products are built to deliver safety, quality and consistency for professional applications, according to the company.
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GSA Flight Event Celebrated, Demonstrated EGNOS
Screenshot from GSA video. See full GSA Flight Event 2015 video below. News from the European GNSS Agency
Since its certification for civil aviation in 2011, EGNOS — the European satellite-based augmentation system — has been making flights in Europe safer, greener and more efficient. To celebrate this achievement and further promote EGNOS, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) in collaboration with the European Commission, invited the media and European aviation stakeholders for a unique EGNOS Flight Event in Toulouse, France, May 6-7.
Today, more than 140 airports in 15 countries across Europe benefit from EGNOS — with many more preparing for implementation. 171 LPV (localizer performance with vertical guidance) and 86 BARO approaches are already certified for use.
To highlight this impact, the EGNOS Flight Event, organized in collaboration with the European Commission, ESSP, ATR and Airbus, brought together aviation media and other sector stakeholders for a comprehensive briefing and demonstration of EGNOS, how it works and its significant benefits for the aviation sector. Along with flight demonstrations, the event assembled a unique array of EGNOS-experienced players — from pilots to operators, service providers and air traffic managers – to discuss how EGNOS is reshaping the future of air transportation in Europe.
Across-the-Board Benefits
Commercial, business and general aviation are all key market segments for EGNOS. For example, business and general aviation operators need to get to meetings as quickly and efficiently as possible, often requiring landing at smaller airports where Instrument Landing System (ILS) or other expensive ground-based navigation aids are simply not feasible. Thus, the implementation of EGNOS-based procedures at these airports significantly improves accessibility. “EGNOS, Europe’s first satellite navigation system, already has a good success story to tell,” says GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “EGNOS delivers continuous integrity protection in compliance with ICAO standards, allowing Cat I approaches with over 99 % availability. Today, 142 airports across Europe are benefitting from EGNOS — and the number is growing steadily.”
According to GSA Head of Market Development Gian Gherardo Calini, the Agency has the capacity to support airports and operators wanting to benefit from EGNOS. For example, this year the Agency has allotted €6 million to co-fund projects to implement EGNOS in aviation. A similar amount had also been allocated in 2014.
Airborne with EGNOS
Demonstrations of EGNOS included a briefing on EGNOS for rotorcraft and with the presentation of the GARDEN project. The project is using EGNOS to enable increased safety and better access for helicopters, for example, enabling air ambulances to access city centre hospitals. Participants were also given a first-hand look at EGNOS implementation in the cockpit of an Airbus H175 rotorcraft.
EGNOS in action was demonstrated by a series of flights using EGNOS for landing procedures with an ATR 42-600 turboprop, which was equipped with additional avionics in the main cabin so invited media could witness the technology at work. The flight demonstration took off from the Blagnac Airport in Toulouse, the venue for the EGNOS event, for a 15 minute circuit around Toulouse beforedemonstrating an EGNOS LPV approach and landing.
EGNOS for A350
A highlight on the tarmac was the Airbus A350WXB. Participants were given a tour of this new, state-of-the-art wide-bodied airliner — including a simulation of an EGNOS-enabled LPV landing in the cockpit. Airbus test pilot Jean-Christophe Lair described the A350’s new Satellite-based Landing System (SLS) that works with Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) such as EGNOS. This is the first time such a system has been installed on a wide body airliner and will be supplied as a standard feature to customers.
According to Lair, EGNOS is fully integrated into a common, harmonised landing system interface on the A350 – the SLS. This allows the pilot to fly precision approaches like an ILS with geometrical vertical guidance down to 200 feet. This new navigation system will provide Airbus operators a wider range of solutions to optimise operations and increase accessibility without any compromise to safety.
EGNOS Expansion
The potential for expansion of EGNOS/SBAS is huge both in terms of global coverage and potential for use in Europe.
GSA Head of EGNOS Exploitation, Jean-Marc Piéplu, outlined the future upgrade of the system from the current Version 2 to EGNOS Version 3. “Version three will feature new capabilities, including dual frequency and dual-constellation with both GPS and Galileo,” he said.
This extension could potentially widen EGNOS/SBAS global coverage for aviation to over 90%. When asked about the timescale for this extension of coverage, Piéplu indicated that if the political will was there to implement, then this could be accomplished in 10 years as there were no outstanding technical issues.
According to International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association (IAOPA) Senior Vice President Martin Robinson, there is a huge potential for growth in Europe. Currently there are 4,649 aerodromes in Europe and some 50,000 general aviation aircraft operating. Compared to the US, only a fraction of these are SBAS enabled. In the US, the larger uptake of WAAS is due to a deliberate government-led industrial policy.
“Europe still lags behind the United States and there’s definitely room for growth,” said Robinson. “EGNOS will help to provide greater access to aerodromes throughout Europe and improve safety — but we need to be quicker if we are to realize these benefits sooner.”
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European GNSS R&D: There’s an App for That!
A free app for both iOS and Android features the results of European GNSS Agency (GSA) supported research and development initiatives. The new EGNSS Research and Development (R&D) application highlights the tangible results coming out of the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) and is designed to serve as inspiration for those participating in the Horizon 2020 (H2020) period.The FP7 and H2020 programs, supported by the GSA, aim to support the development of EGNSS applications in key market segments. Both are geared towards accelerating the development of a European market for satellite navigation applications and creating new opportunities for European industry.
“The app is an excellent opportunity for the GNSS community to take stock in the lessons learned during the FP7 funding period and set our sights on future R&D initiatives,” said GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The application’s segment-specific search feature responds to the varied needs of our users, providing them with easily accessible and relevant information at their fingertips.”
In addition to the search function, des Dorides notes that the demographics included with each project can help users identify opportunities for partnerships across segments and regions, and create virtual R&D networks.
The FP7 programmes had a considerably positive impact on the GNSS market, GSA said (download the brochure). Within the frame of the projects, 45 products were developed, and 80 prototypes were tested and validated during the 115 demonstrations that took place.
Today, Horizon 2020 is bringing new opportunities for GNSS applications development. Information on the 25 projects granted in the first H2020 Galileo call is already included in the application, and early next year it will be updated to include the 2nd call portfolio of projects.
The app is available for free download from the iTunes and Google Play stores.
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Capturing Reality Forum Combines SPAR Europe, ELMF
The Capturing Reality Forum has issued a call or papers. The event will incorporate the best of SPAR Europe and European LiDAR Mapping Forum (ELMF). Taking place at the Salzburg Congress, Austria, November 23-25, the Capturing Reality Forum will focus on the technologies of laser scanning, LiDAR, 3D data capture and modeling to provide an inspiring platform for professionals to meet, learn and share ideas with industry’s best.
Industry leaders are invited to submit technical papers to be considered for presentation. Abstracts can be submitted online until August 11. “We welcome international papers which will address recent project examples and the key commercial and technical issues but most importantly those that highlight pioneering research and developments that will impact the future development of the industry. Each abstract will be peer reviewed and we will announce the final program in September,” said Conference Chairman Alastair MacDonald (director of TMS International).
Headed up by the Diversified UK team, the forum will include a conference featuring leaders from all sectors of the industry, with an international exhibition of the latest technologies running in parallel. The event management team headed by Versha Carter, group director, has previously managed the ELMF and ILMF events and successfully launched the GEO Business show. “We are excited to be involved with the rebranding of these two very established events, which has been received as a very positive next step for the industry,” Carter said. “SPAR Europe and ELMF co-located two years ago, but continued to have separate conference programs. By merging into one, the synergy between the two events and the shared interests, challenges and opportunities will be fully realized.”
“If you are interested in data capture and imaging on the inside or outside of facilities, the tracking of utilities and monitoring of transport, or modeling external effects on the national coastline or landmass, the Capturing Reality Forum has all the ingredients of a must-attend event,” MacDonald said. “Delegates will be in the company of colleagues from all sectors of the geospatial data capture, visualization and imaging industry. And this will all be happening over three days in the wonderful atmosphere of Salzburg.”
Papers could include reports on subjects such as: Building Information Modeling (BIM); 3D for asset and facilities management; 3D data capture for as-built conditions; point cloud processing; managing and sharing large data sets; 3D/intelligent modeling; augmented reality and visualization tools; airborne, terrestrial and bathymetric LiDAR; coastal zone, defense and flood plain LiDAR; corridor and utilities mapping; data classification, GIS, data modeling/management; mobile mapping; technology development and trends; and small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS).
Running alongside the Capturing Reality forum conference will be an exhibition of more than 50 stands displaying manufacturers, software developers and service providers of 3D imaging, laser scanning and LiDAR products. As an extra benefit to delegates, many of the exhibiting companies will host workshops, providing an opportunity for more in-depth discussion.
Centrally located in mainland Europe, Salzburg is easily accessible from northern, southern, eastern and western European countries. Salzburg Congress is situated in the center of the city and provides a special dimension socially with its seasonal events and Christmas markets.
“This is an outstanding venue, which has always earned a flood of positive feedback,” Carter said. “The move to Salzburg has been welcomed by the industry and we look forward to hosting the Capturing Reality Forum in the heart of such a beautiful historic city.”
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DIRECTV Subscribes to Fleetmatics for Service Fleet
Fleetmatics Group PLC, a global provider of mobile workforce solutions for service-based businesses of all sizes delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS), has entered into a master subscription services agreement with DIRECTV to enhance tracking, driver safety and on-time arrivals for its fleet of vehicles that are making service calls.
Fleetmatics says its REVEAL is a powerful yet simple-to-use fleet management solution designed to drive cost savings and improve productivity for mobile workforces. Fleetmatics REVEAL+ enables enterprise customers with larger fleets, such as DIRECTV, to manage complex organizational structures and large numbers of users, as well as to deliver actionable executive level business intelligence across the entire enterprise.
“Fleetmatics’ advanced tracking system offers the ideal mobile workforce solution for DIRECTV’s field-based operations,” said David Baker, senior vice president of Field Services for DIRECTV. “This partnership will help our business operate more efficiently while continuing to deliver on our promise of industry-leading customer service.”
“With more than 6,200 new subscriptions, we look forward to delivering actionable business intelligence to DIRECTV,” said Jill Ward, president and CEO of Fleetmatics. “By arming thousands of DIRECTV vehicles with the most powerful telematics solution for the enterprise, we’re helping the company drive cost efficiencies and increase field service worker productivity.”
DIRECTV is a provider of digital television entertainment services to more than 39 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America.
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GEOINT 2015 Offers Continuing Education, Training
GEOINT 2015 attendees have the opportunity to sign up for the GEOINT Foreword pre-conference session, earn Continuing Education Units in 80+ hours of training, be among the first to take Universal GEOINT Certification exams, and much more. The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) has once again expanded its dedicated professional development offerings at the GEOINT 2015 Symposium, to be held June 22-25 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
GEOINT Foreword
GEOINT 2015 kicks off with GEOINT Foreword, a pre-symposium science and technology-focused day designed to highlight advances in GEOINT tradecraft and innovation. In addition to a keynote speaker, lightning talks, and networking breaks, GEOINT Foreword will host 14 panel sessions on topics such as: utilizing commercial space and SmallSat assets; data science acquisition models; modeling and simulation; open-source apps; interoperability; and more. GEOINT Foreword requires separate registration.
Training & Education
The GEOINT 2015 agenda offers more than 80 hours of training and education sessions, which have more than doubled since last year’s Symposium. Two-hour training and education sessions will be conducted in both the morning and afternoon June 23-25. Session topics include crisis mapping, full-motion video, LiDAR, game engines, spatial literacy, GEOINT 101, commercial electro-optical imagery, point cloud technology, cognitive computing, and more. To participate in training, attendees must add desired sessions to their GEOINT 2015 registration. Training and education sessions are accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training. Attendees will receive 0.2 Continuing Education Units per session courtesy of USGIF Member Riverside Research.
Universal GEOINT Certification
This fall, USGIF will launch its Universal GEOINT Certification.Each of the three exams required to achieve the certification will require beta testers. Pilot versions of the GIS and remote sensing exams will be administered at GEOINT 2015. Qualified symposium attendees will have the opportunity to take one or both exams for free to count toward their Universal GEOINT Certification. Attendees can add pilot exams to their GEOINT 2015 registration or email [email protected] to learn more.
Family Day
The GEOINT Symposium will for the first time feature a family day June 25 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring their families to explore the exhibit hall and participate in fun, interactive activities. USGIF’s Young Professionals Group will host a ScavenGeo Dash in the exhibit hall from 1-3 p.m. The dash is an educational scavenger hunt offering families a unique opportunity to learn about the GEOINT Community through an exciting competition. To sign up for the ScavenGeo Dash, email [email protected] and include the names and ages of your team members. Teams should not exceed six members.
To learn more about these educational offerings, view the full symposium agenda, or to register for GEOINT 2015, visit geoint2015.com.
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Location Intelligence Platform Aims at Local Marketing
Local ID has closed a $1.9 million seed round of funding led by Crosscut Ventures. Local ID is a local intelligence platform that provides multi-unit brands with the data, tools and process needed to maximize their local marketing efforts, according to the company.
Other investors in the round included Technicolor, TenOneTen, Baroda Ventures, Double M Partners, Tallwave, Wavemaker Partners and Queens Bridge Venture Partners.
Founded by a team with more than 60 years of collective retail experience, Local ID is a cloud-based platform that provides brands with visibility into each store’s trade area. For example, Local ID:
- surfaces local events that present timely and contextual marketing opportunities;
- identifies competitive intrusions;
- provides proactive preparation for weather events; and
- incorporates a wealth of other data on the hundreds of local marketing opportunities taking place each day within a store’s trade area.
With brick and mortar representing 94 percent of the $4.5 trillion retail sales market, according to eMarketer, Local ID gives multi-unit brands an edge in capturing a larger share of this vast but extremely competitive market, the company said.
“Local ID is the first local intelligence platform designed to solve at-scale local store marketing for large brick and mortar brands,” said Alex Nocifera, Founder & CEO of Local ID. “Our dynamic, enterprise platform will increase same store sales and traffic for our customers by systemizing the way they plan, execute and track their local marketing activities. This funding, along with the extensive outreach we’ve done over the last year with large brands, has validated the timeliness of our solution to solve brands’ decentralized, inefficient inability to execute and measure local marketing at scale. Overall, I could not be more excited about our team, the early market signals and the product we are taking to the market.”
Local ID is a single-source solution that will centralize all local store marketing programs, institutionalize market-specific knowledge and systemize best practices across the enterprise. The platform leverages Esri mapping software, integrates multiple data streams and then custom curates brand opportunities for every store in the system. The core pillars include:
Store Profiles – A dynamic database of every store in a brand’s system providing visibility into every location and activity
People Profiles – Details, activities and insights of all employees engaged in local marketing at any level
Relevant Opportunities – Custom curated, brand relevant opportunities in each market
Marketing Activities – An innovative and engaging task management tool for tracking and systemizing local marketing activities
The company will use the new funding to invest in product development, research and acquiring key talent. Nocifera previously served as founder and CEO of both Ripple TV and Circle Street, two venture-backed start-ups focused on helping big brands solve complex local challenges. Ripple TV was acquired by TargetCast Networks (now part of Brite Media Group). Circle Street was acquired by Valassis, the largest local advertising company for promotional media to retail and CPG brands.
“Local ID has the opportunity to be the Salesforce.com of the trillion dollar local marketing space by solving the conundrum large, multi-unit brands face in executing successful local store strategies at the enterprise level,” said Brian Garrett, co-founder and managing director of Crosscut Ventures. “It’s a massive, untapped market and one that the Local ID team, with deep experience in RetailTech, is perfectly situated to address.”
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Topcon Acquires Agriculture Sensing Company NORAC
Topcon Positioning Group has acquired NORAC Systems International, a developer of ultrasonic sensing and boom control technology for agricultural equipment, in a private transaction.
NORAC provides advanced automated boom height control technology for the global agricultural marketplace. Its current product line includes systems to precisely maintain a spray boom height above the top of the crop or the ground to ensure optimum application of needed fertilizers and plant protection products.
The agreement marks the third precision agriculture-related purchase Topcon has made since November 2014. It adds an additional engineering and manufacturing facility in Canada and raises the total number of Topcon employees dedicated to precision agriculture solutions to more than 700.
“For more than 40 years NORAC has created innovative solutions to improve efficiency on the farm,” said Ray O’Connor, president and CEO of Topcon Positioning Group. “Its automated boom height control technology has transformed the use of agricultural sprayers. We are excited to unite with another precision agriculture leader, especially one that has established its leadership in a way that mirrors the growth of Topcon — by being the first to bring best-in-class technology to the market.”
“It’s another example of our optimism for investing in the agricultural marketplace,” said O’Connor. “Topcon is committed to developing automation and management solutions that bring the power of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to every farm.”
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Topcon family,” said Bill Strelioff, president and CEO of NORAC Systems International. “NORAC and Topcon have collaborated well in numerous precision agriculture development projects and know that our synergistic technologies and distribution channels make this a great fit. But just as importantly, we recognize that our company cultures are very closely aligned. That’s the real key to multiplying the benefits of this union.”
Founded in 1974, NORAC pioneered automated boom leveling, and currently enjoys a leading market share within the agricultural industry. In addition to the headquarters in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, three branch offices include NORAC, Inc. (Minnesota, U.S), NORAC Europe sarl (Guéreins, France) and NORAC Trading (Shanghai, China).
“We are excited to welcome the skilled employees at the world-class facilities of NORAC to the precision agriculture team at Topcon,” said Albert Zahalka, president of Topcon Precision Agriculture. “As a global leader for boom leveling, NORAC will add considerable strength to our original equipment manufacturer (OEM) offering, and is an ideal complement to our extensive portfolio of innovative precision agriculture solutions.”
