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  • GNSS PPP Workshop Early Registration Extended to May 3

    The International Association of Geodesy, Natural Resources Canada, the International GNSS Service, and York University will be hosting GNSS Precise Point Positioning: Reaching Full Potential in Ottawa, Canada, June 12-14, 2013.

    The primary objective of this workshop is to provide a forum for international experts from academia, government and industry to discuss PPP-related matters, including data processing, error modelling, data products, dissemination, applications, and associated policy.

    The preliminary program is now available on the workshop website, along with details about accommodations and registration. Note that early registration has been extended until May 3, 2013.

    Given recent rapid developments in PPP technology, the objectives of this workshop will be to:

    1. Provide a forum for international experts from academia, government and industry to discuss PPP-related matters, including data processing, error modelling, data products, dissemination, applications, and associated policy.
    2. Define the current state of PPP performance and communicate global PPP activities and applications in all sectors.
    3. Identify and investigate the technical and non-technical issues that need to be addressed to improve the technology.
    4. Suggest PPP performance and utility in the next five to ten years.

  • Competition to PNDs Coming from All Angles

    It isn’t the same old news that the portable or personal navigation device, PND, has lost a lot of ground to mobile applications found on smartphones. The reason it isn’t old news is that the drop in sales is being measured by the millions — from a high of 33 million in 2011 — to a little more than half of that amount. While consumers’ tastes are shifting, often to automobiles equipped with connected features, a smartphone is still the device of choice for quick navigation, location-based services and other features.

    While stand-alone portable navigation systems seem to be a fading market driver, connected units seem to be the rage at trade shows and other venues. One example is the recent partnership of Audi of America and T-Mobile USA, who announced a data plan that includes real-time news, weather and fuel prices, Google Earth access and Google Voice Local Search.

    The marriage of usually two distinct industries the past three or so years has generated new interest in telematics, which has always been a catch-all term for an automobile’s mobile information features.

    While not exactly an eye-opening finding, Berg Insight says sales of PNDs are set to significantly decrease in coming years as consumers choose alternatives. The company says that PND sales will fall to 17 million units, down from the more than 28 million sold last year — and 33 million in 2011.

    Berg says PNDs will face stiff competition from lower-cost embedded systems. The company says 150 million people use smartphone navigation apps, compared to 105 million in 2011.

    Such companies as Dutch PND manufacturer TomTom said it posted a 13 percent fall, to $262 million, in first-quarter sales. The company is diversifying its product line to counter the loss of revenue from falling PND sales.

    To diversify, TomTom rolled out a GPS watch recently to compete with rival Garmin, which has similar products on the market. According to published reports, the company said it is competing with mobile phones for the navigation market.

    To echo the Berg findings, TomTom said about 2.1 million navigation units were sold in Europe last year, but in the United States, the drop was even more significant. The company’s PND products fell from 1.5 million units in 2012 to 1.1 million in 2011.

    The competition to PNDs is coming from a number of areas. In the recent Audi and T-Mobile deal, users can retrieve information over Wi-Fi for $15 a month (the company says new and existing owners can receive full data services for 30 months for $30 a month). Through the Audi Connect system, users can get connectivity for as many as eight devices.

    Audi Connect, which first went on the market in 2011, allows users to gain access to real-time localized weather, news and fuel prices.

    Apple Buys Indoor Navigation Company WiFiSLAM

    Say what you want about the recent surge in interest of indoor navigation. Some call it an over-hyped fad — or not technically ready for market. The bottom line is that Apple thinks enough of the market to have spent $20 million for Silicon Valley start-up WiFiSLAM in late March.

    According to published reports, WiFiSLAM can pinpoint a user’s indoor location to within 8 feet, using Wi-Fi.

    Apple has made several inroads to enhance its location portfolio since its Apple Maps debacle in 2012 when users complained about inaccurate directions.

    The problems were so acute for Apple Maps that its CEO told potential customers to buy navigation from its rivals, including Waze.

    Apple rival Google already has been in the indoor positioning and navigation market, mapping shopping malls, airports and sports venues in several countries.

    DeCarta Launches Local Search Engine

    DeCarta has launched the L2 Local Search Engine. L2 offers companies the ability to index their own data and make it searchable via a sophisticated single-line search, said Kim Fennell, deCarta president and CEO. Those companies might include local search, vertical search (hotels, restaurants), classifieds, newspapers, Internet yellow pages and others.

    “Single-line search is the standard for most web search and for the big mapping portals, but is oddly missing from most local search sites,” Fennell said. “They still use a two-line entry, first specifying what you want and then where you want it. The main reason for that disconnect is that the technology to do good single-line geo-search requires a pretty deep understanding of geospatial data and technology, and is hard to do well. L2 solves that problem. We provide a fully featured local search engine with baseline map and POI data,” he said.

    “The local site can clean and index their proprietary data using our tools and then host the search engine in the cloud,” Fennell said. “They get the control of the data and the user interface that the big map portals use.”

    Some examples of a deCarta Local Search Engine point of interest entry may be, “coffee near XYZ company,” “restaurants on Main Street,” and “parking near AMC Theater.”

    In other LBS news:

    • Telenav introduced its embedded product for the Scout for Cars product line. The embedded product features in-dash navigation with mobile and cloud services for real-time, personalized information, the company said. Marketed to automakers, the company said installers can connect Scout for Phones service in their cars for real-time services and personalization. The company said the unit comes with flexible branding so OEMs can offer embedded navigation in their vehicles through their own brands.
    • Audiovox’ $169.99 Car Connection kit tracks vehicles and monitors the driver with a built-in GPS unit and a two-way cellular data connection, without a smartphone, the company said. Once an account is established, and the unit is recognized by the Car Connection service, owners can track their cars’ movements and receive e-mail or text alerts in the event the car is stolen or used without permission. An interesting feature is a free app that allows users to find the car via a smartphone. Car Connection costs $10 a month, or $90 per year, and has a $20 activation fee.

    Send your LBS news and announcements to Kevin Dennehy at [email protected].

  • Pacific PNT: GNSS, SBAS Updates

    The status of world GNSS, and augmentation systems in the Pacific region, highlighted the policy session of the Institute of Navigtion Pacific PNT Conference being held this week in Honolulu, Hawaii. Here are a few highlights:

    BeiDou-Logo-150x142BeiDou. Construction of the second phase of BeiDou has been completed; further launches for the third phase – constellation completion – are on hold until tests of the existing 14-satellite constellation are complete, according to Xiancheng Ding, Senior Advisor, China Satellite Navigation Office. As of December 27, 2012, BeiDou achieved full operational capability for most of the Asia-Pacific region. The full constellation is now expected to be completed by 2020.

    Other accomplishments include releasing the BeiDou Interface Control Document and manufacture of BeiDou chips for end-user applications. By the end of June, some manufacturers will release BeiDou chips in China, Ding said.

    Also in December, BeiDou introduced a new logo (at right).

    Yuanxi Yang (China National Administration of GNSS and Applications) presented statistics showing that BeiDou+GPS provides greater accuracy than GPS alone. For instance, the RMS of BeiDou+GPS kinematic positioning by using differential carrier phase is about 20 percent better than that of GPS alone, Yang said.

    By itself, existing BeiDou constellation system accuracy is better than 10 meters, timing better than 20 nanoseconds, and velocity accuracy is better than 0.2 meters/second.

    In all, BeiDou is composed of 14 satellites: five GEO, five IGSO, and four MEO. The full constellation (by 2020)  will consist of 35 satellites: 5 GEO and 30 non-GEO (a mixture of MEO and IGSO satellites).

    GPS. Keynote speaker David A. Turner (U.S. Department of State) shared his time with surprise GLONASS speaker Sergey Revnivykh (International Committee on GNSS, ICG). In his GNSS Policy and Program Update, Turner provided the dates by which three new civil signals will be on 24 GPS satellites.

    • The L2C signal is a developmental signal broadcasting from 10 GPS Satellites. It began launching in 2005 with GPS Block IIR(M) satellites, and is expected to be available on 24 satellites around 2018.
    • The L5 signal is a developmental signal broadcasting from three GPS satellites. It began launching in 2010 with Block IIF satellites, and is expected to be available on 24 GPS satellites around 2021.
    • The L1C signal begins launching in 2015 with GPS III; available on 24 GPS satellites around 2026.

    “We have an increasing number of signals, increasing capability, and increasing level of service as we continue to evolve the constellation,” Turner said.

    GLONASS. The next GLONASS satellite will be launched this Friday, April 26, Revnivykh said. This will be a GLONASS-M satellite, number 47. The first launch of a new generation GLONASS K satellite is scheduled for 2015.

    Revnivykh stressed GLONASS’ role as a global utility. “We consider international cooperation is essential for all GNSS, and we consider GLONASS an essential part of the international multi-GNSS system,” he said. He stressed the importance of compatibility and interoperability as key to this policy.

    In 2012, GLONASS performed with an average accuracy better than formally required, he said. GLONASS is in worldwide use, and positioning has improved by a factor of 10, from 35 meters to about 3 meters since the first satellites were launched. Using both GPS + GLONASS provides 1.5 times better high-precision measurements, Revnivykh said.

    The new GLONASS program for 2020 for GLONASS sustainment, development, and use includes GLONASS M, K1, and K2 satellites; the positioning accuracy objective is to go from the current 2.8 meters to 0.6 meters.

    Aviation. Chris Hegarty (MITRE) presented an FAA Navigation Programs Overview on behalf of the scheduled speaker Deborah Lawrence (FAA) who was unable to attend. He noted that United Airlines has begun GBAS operations in Houston.

    In answer to a funding question, he said, “The sequestration is not expected to have a positive effect on schedule, but the presented timeline for APNT is the FAA’s current best estimate. Congress has some tough decisions before them, and I wouldn’t want to speculate on potential schedule impacts. In the words of Yogi Berra, predicting is hard, especially when it involves the future.”

    Korean SBAS. Changdon Kee (Seoul National University) shared plans for a Korean SBAS. In South Korea, LPV availability is 49.4% compared to 90.6% in Japan. “Korea needs its own system,” Kee said.

    Phase 3 of the SBAS development could start by the end of September, depending on funding. It will include open service multifunctional GEO satellites interoperable with other SBASs. A pseudolite demonstration system will be completed in 2014, clearing the way for the beginning of Phase 3.

    In all, the system will include five reference stations, two master stations, two ground uplink stations, and two GEO satellites (the main GEO by 2018 and a backup by 2020).

    The Korean SBAS open service system will provide GPS L1 augmentation, begin operation in 2020, and support aviation, land and maritime users. A test operation system will provide GPS L1 and L5 augmentation. The system is expected to be fully operational by 2021, with service available throughout Asia.

    Michibiki-AlanJapan’s QZSS. Hiroyuki Noda (Office of National Space Policy, Japan) said three more satellites for this augmentation system will be launched by the end of the decade, with the service beginning in 2018. In September 2012, the Japan cabinet made the commitment to accelerate development of the system. The first satellite, launched in 2010 (QZS-1, aka Michibiki) is performing as expected.

    QZSS is expected to improve positioning availability from 90% to 99.8% in Japan. QZSS will not only improve positioning in the Asia-Pacific region, but is expected to improve the capacity to respond to natural disasters, Noda said.

  • Time to Hit Warp Speed, Galileo

    Report from ENC: Constellation Needs 22 Satellites in Three Years

    Launch, deploy, and operate “22 satellites in less than 3 years.” That’s two satellites every three months, leading to a four-at-once launch in 2014. And that’s the challenge that Europe and the European Space Agency (ESA) now face.

    This pointed call to action during the opening plenary of the European Navigation Conference (ENC) came from Didier Faivre, director of Galileo Programme and Navigation Related Activities at ESA. It was the only somber note sounded during the keynote speeches, which otherwise paraded the stirring recent accomplishments of the Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) phase. IOV now concludes, and Galileo’s operational phase opens.

    The ENC takes place in Vienna, Austria this week (April 23–25), hosted by the Austrian Institute of Navigation. Privately and informally, a handful of knowledgeable conference attendees expressed confidence that OHB System can furnish the completed satellites, at least, according to schedule. OHB System is the prime contractor for  construction of 22 Full Operational Capability (FOC) Galileo satellites and is responsible for developing the satellite bus and for integrating the satellites. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) is developing and constructing the navigation payload and  assisting OHB with final satellite assembly.

    “Using only European tools and means, European ground infrastructure deployed on European territory, our conception, machine and design, is totally validated,” stated Faivre, referring to the recent Galileo-only positioning fix by ESA. The March 12, 2013, event marks “the end of the beginning,” and culminates 12 years of intense work at all levels of European industry.

    “Europe is at par with GPS” with performance as expected. “I hope that soon our U.S. colleagues will be jealous of our performance,” Faivre stated, implying yet again the persistent Galileo claim that the system will be more accurate than GPS. He returned to this theme with reference to Fugro’s accomplishment of real-time precise point positioning at the centimeter level.

    He acknowledged that “It’s a technological competition with the United States, Russia, and China,” even though all may be friendly and collegial.

    In that competitive light, “the success of Galileo will be measured by the number of users,” and not by the number of satellites, or the degree of accuracy, or the strength of the signal.

    Previously, the ENC audience had heard from Ingolf Schädler that “Europe has closed the gap with the technological superpowers,” in what “may be the most complex invention ever of mankind, the system of navigation that is GNSS.” He also made a proud reference to Austrian-produced signal generators aboard Galileo’s orbiting IOV satellites. Schädler is the deputy director general of innovation for the Austrian federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology.

    “We have reached cruising speed,” announced the third keynote speaker, Carlo des Dorides of the European GNSS Agency (GSA). He was referring explicitly to the re-positioning of the GSA headquarters from Brussels to Prague, but the remarks reverberated to the Galileo program as a whole.

    David Blanchard, deputy head of unit, EU Satellite Navigation Programmes for the European Commission, quoted an unnamed U.S. publication: “With the capability to make a position fix from four signal-broadcasting satellites, we can now say that Galileo has truly arrived.”

    That statement appeared in the May 2013 GPS World, an issue of the magazine that was distributed in conference bags to all attendees at the ENC.

    Blanchard then shifted the focus slightly from Galileo, to Galileo together with the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Europe’s satellite-based augmentation service that also broadcasts GPS corrections. “We have to make sure that all the capabilities afforded by EGNOS are realized.” He also made strong references to the EGNOS Data Access Service (EDAS).

    Blanchard cited a current ongoing study that shows that 6 to 7 percent of European gross domestic product (GDP) is dependent upon GNSS.

    “A gold mine within arm’s reach of European industry” was how Gard Ueland, head of Galileo Services, characterized the present situation. “Development of European downstream market is crucial; it also has to bring more benefits to European society.” Galileo Services will host a workshop of  industry stakeholders in late October, at the OHB System premises in Bremen, Germany. Watch GPS World Events calendar and news for an announcement with specific dates.

    Having attained altitude and cruising speed, the Galileo program must now shift to warp speed to hit its goals on time: 18 satellites in orbit by the end of 2014, and a total of 26 by the end of 2015. Early services by the end of 2014, and full services in 2016. Stable, continuous services, as Blanchard emphasized.

    Better go to overdrive.

  • Houston Airport Marks Arrival of GBAS to Increase Flight Capacity

    Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) became fully operational with the first precision approach flown by a United Airlines aircraft using Honeywell’s SmartPath Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) on April 22. IAH is one of two airports in the country participating in a pilot program, in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), United Airlines and Honeywell to demonstrate the use of GBAS. This new system delivers a cost-effective solution to increase airport capacity, decrease air traffic noise and reduce weather-related delays.

    “The Houston Airports are among the most innovative and progressive in the nation when it comes to safety and efficiently connecting passengers to destinations around the world,” said Mario Diaz, director of the Houston Airports. “It is imperative that we continue to invest in new technology that enhances the aviation sector.”

    Honeywell’s SmartPath GBAS system augments GPS signals so they can be used for precision navigation in the approach and landing phases of flight. The flexible approaches provided by GBAS may produce a significant reduction in aircraft delays and carbon emissions at airports. The project is a component of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). It’s a migration from what is considered to be a ground-based air navigation system to a satellite-based navigation system which uses the same GPS that you use in your cars today.

    “There is a great opportunity for SmartPath to modernize the flight experience for airline passengers,” said Pat Reines, senior manager, SmartPath Ground Based Augmentation Systems at Honeywell Aerospace. “We’re looking forward to helping Houston passengers and visitors’ experience more flights that depart and arrive on time.”

    United Airlines will operate the flights with a Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) landing system (GLS) technology to receive the GBAS landing approach data. United was an early leader in NextGen technology, taking delivery of GLS-equipped aircraft since 2009.

    “We believe that GBAS is the air carrier precision landing system of the future,” said Captain Joe Burns, United’s managing director of technology and flight test. “We continue to work closely with the FAA and our industry partners on GBAS and other NextGen initiatives.”

    GBAS can provide aircraft with guidance to as low as 200 feet above the surface of the runway, referred to as a Category I approach. The FAA is currently validating the requirements for a GBAS to support Category II and Category III precision approach operations which would guide an aircraft to the surface of the runway. GBAS represents the only currently feasible satellite-based navigation solution for Category II/III precision approach operations, according to the Houston Airport System.

  • Applanix Introduces POSPac MMS v6.2 Software for Mobile Mapping

    Applanix has introduced POSPac MMS v6.2, its latest generation of software for directly georeferencing mobile mapping sensors using GNSS and inertial technology. Featuring new Applanix IN-Fusion Multi-Single-Base Processing, POSPac MMS V6.2 is designed to improve the productivity and accuracy of mapping from mobile platforms in the air, on land or at sea, the company said.

    IN-Fusion Multi-Single-Base Processing is designed for customers who need the highest level of differential GNSS position accuracy and perform long, linear projects such as power-line corridors, long highways or stretches of coastline. During these projects, a GNSS base station network may not be available, or the geometry of the network so weak that an Applanix SmartBase solution — which uses existing reference stations to achieve high accuracy over longer distances — is not viable. In these cases, IN-Fusion Multi-Single-Base Processing allows base stations to be established along the full length of the travel path and makes optimal use of the nearest base station at all times.

    Customers can now take advantage of robust tightly coupled in-fusion processing without the need to break the project up into multiple segments for each base station to attain the highest accuracy, Applanix said.

    “In addition to IN-Fusion Multi-Single-Base Processing, POSPac MMS V6.2 includes new features designed to increase productivity, efficiency and ease-of-use.  The Coordinate Conversion tool included allows users to choose from a number of local reference frames for inputting base station coordinates,” said Edith Roy, Development Manager of POSPac MMS at Applanix.  “POSPac MMS Version 6.2 demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with not only the most advanced software solutions for mobile mapping applications, but also the easiest to use.”

    POSPac MMS V6.2 can be purchased through Applanix’ global sales network. The software is available as an upgrade to all POSPac users currently under a maintenance contract.

  • Esri Publishes Continuously Updated U.S. Flooding Map

    Esri has published a continuously updated U.S. flooding map with informationfrom the National Weather Service showing observed flooding locations and statistics, flood warning areas, and current precipitation. Users can customize the map by zooming or panning and changing the keywords or date ranges to localize geotagged social content.

    Both the default map or your customized version can be embedded on your news site by using the Link button. See the real-time effects of the flooding via social media posts.

    To change the search terms, go to the Social menu, click the settings icon, and update the keyword. Click here to view the real-time map.

    USFlooding
    Continuously Updated U.S. Flooding Map http://bit.ly/ZvEi7v
    Source: Esri

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  • Navevo Announces Satnav-Based Truck Cyclist Alert Feature

    Navevo specialists in satellite navigation solutions for heavy-goods vehicles (HGV) drivers, now offers the ProNav HGV Cyclist Alert. Supplied as standard on the new ProNav PNN420 satnav for truck drivers and soon to be rolled out across all current ProNav systems, the safety feature provides junction alerts at high convergence areas of trucks and cyclists and prompts drivers to take extra care.

    The number of cyclists in London is on the rise, along with safety risks that arise when trucks and cyclists both are traversing busy London junctions and interchanges.

    The ProNav HGV Cyclist Alert software was developed in association with Transport for London (TfL) to provide a commercial vehicle driver with an audible and visual alert as he or she approaches a junction (or section of road) that has been determined to be a location where there are  high volumes of HGVs and cyclists. A warning symbol is displayed on the navigation system’s mapping that projects a 50-meter radius “warning zone” around each HGV/Cyclist convergence area. Drivers are also provided with a short audible tone as a reminder, giving the driver plenty of time to check for any cyclists on the road, Navevo said.

    The HGV Cyclist Alert software uses data provided by TfL and the up-to-date Department for Transport HGV and pedal cycle flow figures for London’s road network. The dataset uses this information to identify locations where large numbers of HGVs and cyclists converge. Initially, 100 high-convergence areas across London have been included (alerts at every junction would be counterproductive to drivers). Working with other local authorities both in London and nationally, Navevo plans to increase the level of coverage and will provide free updates when new data becomes available.

    “A navigation system is something a driver is likely to be listening to as they approach a junction, and so it makes perfect sense to also alert the driver of the risk of cyclists, reminding them to be observant and drive safely,” says Navevo CEO, Nick Caesari. “The safety of drivers, cyclists and other users of the road is a concern for everybody, and we are proud to lead the navigation industry by launching this ‘world first’ safety feature, which we believe could significantly contribute in improving road safety and reducing the number of incidents involving HGVs and cyclists.”

    “For many years, London has worked to lead the way in pushing for the adoption of safer lorries and safer lorry driving,”
    Ian Wainwright, head of Freight and Fleet at Transport for London. “The creation of a specific cyclist alert for HGV drivers is another positive step forward and will help to further raise awareness and improve cycle safety across the capital.”

  • Riegl and Applanix Take Flight on UAV

     

    Riegl Laser Measurement Systems and Applanix Corporation announced today that the Applanix AP50 GNSS-inertial sensor system was successfully integrated with Riegl’s VQ-820-GU topo-bathymetric airborne laser scanner on board the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 UAV. The Riegl VQ-820-GU is specifically designed to survey sea beds and the grounds of rivers or lakes, and is well suited for combined land and hydrographic airborne survey.

    ap50
    Applanix AP50 GNSS-inertial system.

    The Applanix AP50 GNSS-inertial system is a GNSS-inertial sensor plus inertial measurement unit (IMU) in a compact form factor. It features a high-performance precision GNSS receiver and the Applanix IN-Fusion GNSS-inertial integration technology running on a powerful, dedicated inertial engine (IE) board.

    On board an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system is capable of penetrating areas that may be too dangerous for piloted aircraft or ground patrols. This can provide additional safety and security for its users.

    VQ-820-G_206x200px
    Riegl’s VQ-820-G airborne laser scanner.

    “We really appreciate the professional and amicable cooperation with Applanix, which allows us to offer user-friendly and powerful, fully integrated solutions for dynamic data acquisition to the marketplace,” said Jürgen Nussbaum, Riegl director of international sales.

    In addition, Applanix will be a Gold sponsor at Riegl LIDAR 2013, Riegl’s international user conference taking place in Vienna, Austria, June 25-27.

  • Trimble Offers Improved Version of RealWorks Software

    Trimble RealWorks version 8.0 software will include a new 3D database engine, automated targetless registration and Web viewing capability incorporating RealWorks’ Scan Explorer interface. The new version is due to be released in June.

    The new enhancements will allow surveyors, contractors, engineers and geospatial professionals to rapidly process 3D laser scanning data and expedite the creation of deliverables for their clients, increasing productivity and reducing costs, Trimble said.

    The new 3D database engine in Trimble RealWorks version 8.0 will allow up to five times more data to be visualized and managed, compared to Trimble RealWorks version 7.2. The ability to handle larger data sets greatly increases usability and productivity for customers capturing data with 3D laser scanners such as the Trimble TX5 and Trimble FX.

    The automated targetless registration function, together with additional workflow enhancements, will provide further productivity gains for customers. The automated targetless registration function automatically identifies planar objects in each scan and matches the planes from multiple stations, creating a combined data set. The function enhances productivity in the field by eliminating target placement prior to data capture in applicable environments. Office processing time is also reduced by the fully automated function.

    Sharing of data with clients has been enhanced by the addition of a Publisher function within the Trimble RealWorks software that allows projects to be custom packaged for viewing via Microsoft Internet Explorer. The Scan Explorer interface, embedded inside a HTML web page, allows clients to navigate and explore the scan data as well as take measurements and add notes.

    “Software is an integral part of Trimble’s 3D laser scanning solutions and is essential to extract information from 3D data captured in the field,” said Tim Lemmon, marketing director of Trimble. “The new version of Trimble RealWorks software significantly improves our customers’ productivity in processing field data, extracting information and preparing deliverables for their clients.”

    The announcement was made today at SPAR International 2013, the leading conference for 3D data capture, processing and delivery technologies.

  • GNSS Constellation Update

    Original Broadcast Date: 10/25/12

    Summary: This month, a new GPS satellite was launched, India launched a new SBAS satellite, and two Galileo satellites are scheduled to launch. Last month, China launched two more BeiDou satellites. There’s a lot of activity of the satellite navigation industry. In the webinar, I will discuss what these new developments mean to the surveying/mapping user, as well as other current events.

    Speaker:
    Eric Gakstatter
    Contributing editor for survey and GIS

  • Autodesk Introduces ReCap, a Free Tool to Create 3D Images from Digital Photos

    Autodesk announces ReCap, a free, key addition to the complete 2014 portfolio of Suites which is a family software and services on the desktop and in the cloud to create intelligent 3D data from captured photos and laser scans in a streamlined workflow. Autodesk ReCap brings together laser scanning and photogrammetry into one streamlined process. In addition, it provides the visualization quality and scalability to handle extremely large data sets.

    AutodeskReCap

    According to the announcement, the Autodesk ReCap product line comprises two main offerings – Autodesk ReCap Studio and Autodesk ReCap Photo. Autodesk ReCap Studio makes it easy to clean, organize and visualize massive datasets captured from reality. Autodesk ReCap Photo helps users create high-resolution textured 3D models from photos using the power of cloud computing. Rather than beginning with a blank screen, Autodesk ReCap now enables any designer, architect or engineer to add, modify, validate and document their design process in context from existing environments.

    For example, a civil engineer can bypass an existing bridge or expand the road underneath digitally and test feasibility. At construction phase, builders can run clash detection to understand if utilities will be in the way. Urban planners can get answers to specific design questions about large areas, such as how much building roof surface is covered by shadow or vegetation.

    ReCap Studio is a data preparation environment that runs on the desktop. Users can import captured data directly into Autodesk design solutions, such as AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Inventor, etc., to conduct QA and verification of data. The data can come from non-intelligent, black and white sparse point clouds to intelligent, visually high appealing content. ReCap Studio will ship in Autodesk product and suite installers or be available for free on the Autodesk Exchange Apps store.

    ReCap Photo is an Autodesk 360 service designed to create high resolution 3D data from photos to enable users to visualize and share 3D data. By leveraging the power of the cloud to process and store massive data files, users can upload images on Autodesk 360 and instantly create a 3D mesh model. ReCap Photo is available with Standard Suites entitlement and higher.

    Key features of Autodesk ReCap include:

    Visualize and edit massive datasets: On the desktop, ReCap users can view and edit billions of points to prepare them for use in Autodesk portfolio products to enable realistic in context design work
    Professional-Grade Photo to 3D Features: ReCap unlocks the power of ubiquitous cameras to capture high-quality 3D models, bringing reality capture within reach of anyone with a camera. ReCap supports objects of any size and range, full resolution for high-density meshes, survey points and multiple file exports.
    Photo and Laser: ReCap incorporates the best of both photo and laser data capture so that customers can use photos to fill in holes or augment laser scan data. Users can both increase photos scene accuracy with laser points and add photo-realistic detail to laser scans. Create point clouds from photos, align scans and photos and convert professional grade photo to 3D models.
    Autodesk continues to invest in developing sophisticated, easy-to-use reality capture technologies. The company has made several key acquisitions including Alice Labs and Allpoint Systems as well as applied its own research and development resources to accelerate the mainstream adoption of these technologies. As customers are looking for ways to easily and accurately capture the world around them, Autodesk ReCap streamlines Reality Capture workflows, making working with Reality Capture data easy, quick and cost effective.

    Autodesk reports that it combines laser scanning data and photogrammetry into one product family to address and streamline the entire workflow. Whereas traditional point clouds appear as dots, Autodesk technology can now visualize truly massive point clouds as realistic surfaces. Unique to Autodesk is that users can interact with these huge data sets doing CAD-like operations such as selection, tagging, moving, measuring, clash detection, and object extraction, all with native points. Laser scanning and photogrammetry are historically very expensive and data intensive. Autodesk’s goal is to democratize the process of reality capture so that anyone can capture the world around them to create high quality 3D models.