SURVEY & MAPPING
![GNSS_Survey&Engineering]()
Handbook on GPS
Written for professional users of GPS systems and data
GNSS Survey & Engineering: Handbook for Surveyors and Survey Engineers, by Huibert-Jan Lekkerkerk, provides the professional GPS user with enough background to understand and correct the operation of satellite navigation equipment in general, and GPS in particular. The book is based on lectures the author has written for the Geomares Education Skilltrade course in hydrographic surveying as well as a series of articles on satellite navigation systems. ISBN/EAN: 978-90-825818-2-9, 236 pages.
Geomares Publishing, www.geomares.nl/store/
Modular receiver
Future-proof system tracks currentand planned constellations
Topcon MR-2 GNSS receiver.
The MR-2 modular GNSS receiver system combines all current and planned constellation tracking with a comprehensive set of communication interfaces to service any precision application requiring high-performance real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning and heading determination. It can perform as a mobile RTK base station, marine navigation receiver, mobile mapping device and as a GNSS receiver for agricultural, industrial, military or construction applications. Using Topcon HD2 heading determination technology, the MR-2’s dual antennas compute high-performance heading and inclination determination alongside the RTK positioning engine for precise navigation and guidance applications. Communication interfaces include Ethernet, serial and CAN. It can operate without disturbances in high-vibration environments.
Topcon Positioning Group, www.topconpositioning.com
The Optech Galaxy T1000 reduces operating costs and improves performance
Terrain mapper
Designed to reduce operating cost,improve performance
The ALTM Galaxy T1000 combines a 1000-kHz effective ground measurement rate with Optech’s SwathTRAK technology to create a compact, efficient and versatile lidar sensor. A doubling of the laser pulse repetition frequency and an increase to its variable-terrain capability with SwathTRAK technology reduces the number of flightlines by up to 70 percent over traditional fixed field of view (FOV) sensors. SwathTRAK leverages the Galaxy’s programmable scanner by dynamically adjusting the scan FOV in real time during data acquisition, enabling constant-width data swaths and constant point density even in highly variable terrain and far fewer flightlines to collect and process.
Teledyne Optech, www.teledyneoptech.com
TRANSPORTATION
Auto navigator
Lifetime map updates, lane routing
TomTom VIA1625.
The TomTom VIA GPS devices are available in three models: VIA 1425, VIA 1525 and VIA 1625 — 4-inch, 5-inch and 6-inch touchscreens, respectively. They offer an enhanced address search that helps drivers define destinations from the search menu or by touching a point on the map. TomTom VIA devices also offer Advanced Lane Guidance, helping drivers prepare for exits and intersections by clearly highlighting the correct driving lane for a planned route. Drivers also have the ability to update maps for the device’s lifetime at no extra charge with Lifetime Maps.
TomTom, TomTom.com
Aftermarket telematics
Connected cars for dealerships
The Kahu connected car solution is designed for auto dealers, providing streamlined lot management while delivering a new finance and insurance (F&I) profit center by offering consumers a modern location tracking and stolen vehicle recovery service. Kahu provides accurate vehicle data for proactive maintenance reminders that can improve vehicle health and keep vehicles within warranty. Kahu includes an aftermarket GPS device and mobile apps for both dealers and their customers.
Spireon, www.spireon.com
Black box for cars
Dashboard camera helps in accidents
vPinPoint is a 3D “black box” technology for vehicles using a dashboard camera. In July 2016, Roke fitted the tech to an autonomous Toyota Prius and demonstrated how data captured via vision processing technology could be used to provide a precise 3D reconstruction following a road incident. The tech is expected to offer insurers, drivers and, in the case of autonomous vehicles, manufacturers independent evidence of what happened, leading to safer vehicles and helping build public trust in driverless vehicles. Unlike current dashcams, the technology uses computer vision algorithms to enable the precise position and orientation of any vehicle — car, bike, lorry or autonomous vehicle. This allows for near-perfect 3D reconstruction of any accident to be created even if the vehicle loses complete control.
Roke Manor Research, www.roke.co.uk
UAV
Module for UAV testing
Research and education platform offers Linux autopilot on Raspberry Pi
The Navio2 platform is being used in universities and research institutions worldwide. It has a u-blox M8N GLONASS/GPS/Beidou chip and two inertial measurement units (IMU): the InvenSense MPU9250 and an STMicroelectronics LSM9DS1 — both offering nine degrees of freedom. Other features include a barometer, servo control and a friendly programming environment. Open-source drivers and detailed tutorials are available in C++ and Python. All experimental data can be processed directly on Raspberry Pi, a tiny computer designed to teach programming. Navio2 runs Ardupilot flight stack and can operate in different flight modes including manual, stabilize, follow-me and auto.
Emlid, www.emlid.clom
Drone-based agricultural solution
Early identification and troubleshooting of crop issues
SenseFly’s eBee SQ long-range agricultural drone can now come paired with Agribotix’s FarmLens agricultural data-processing cloud-processing platform to make collecting and analyzing aerial data easier. The eBee SQ is built around Parrot’s Sequoia sensor, which features multispectral sensors that capture calibrated data across four distinct spectral bands and imagery in a single flight. The FarmLens Professional subscription bundled with the eBee SQ gives users the ability to perform the full crop-scouting workflow while working in the field. Users can fly large areas efficiently, capture ground-truthing images, make notes and share detailed information about trouble spots via the Agribotix Digital Scouting Report.
Agribotix, agribotix.com
sensefly, www.sensefly.com