Photo: Trimble

From May 14 to 16, more than 1,400 attendees gathered at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Ohio for Trimble’s Innovate 2024 User Conference.

At the conference, Trimble announced its upcoming asset lifecycle management suite, Trimble Unity. The software suite offers comprehensive capabilities that enable owners to efficiently plan, design, build, operate and maintain their assets.

Trimble Unity provides an end-to-end solution that connects teams across all lifecycle phases, giving them access to critical data to make decisions. From designers, engineers and contractors to asset managers, inspection and maintenance crews, Trimble Unity offers all stakeholders visibility to reliable data across digital workflows that help foster collaboration, improve project outcomes and reduce the total costs of asset ownership.

Trimble Unity capabilities includes:

• Trimble Unity Construct: A cloud-based construction project and program management capability that provides insights to improve process control and reduce cycle times. It is powered by Trimble e-Builder.
• Trimble Unity Maintain: An enterprise asset management capability that streamlines work activity, planning and analysis to optimize resource allocation and infrastructure reinvestment. It is powered by Trimble Cityworks AMS, Trimble AgileAssets and Trimble Unity Work Management.
• Trimble Unity Permit: A permitting, land management and licensing capability for streamlining public and back-office operations required to manage permits, licenses, right-of-way and code enforcement. It is powered by Trimble Cityworks PLL.
• Trimble Connect: A connected data environment that unifies asset data in files, native file formats and 3D modes to streamline accessibility and collaboration.

In addition, Trimble Unity includes Trimble Unity Field, an all-in-one mobile application enabling field workers to design, build and maintain assets more efficiently, leading to improved productivity, reduced technology costs and improved community confidence.

GPS World met with Senior Vice President for Trimble’s Owner and Public Sector, Cyndee Hoagland, for an exclusive interview about the new product suite, how GIS plays a pivotal role in the asset management lifecycle and more.

Photo: Trimble

What sectors can benefit from this new product suite?

For the public sector side, federal, state and local governments. Think cities, municipalities, state departments of transportation (DOTs), airports and transit authorities. For the private sector, healthcare facilities and universities.

Is Trimble adding any new capabilities to the applications within the suite?

We added a GIS capability to e-Builder along with Trimble Unity Field, so the mobile application of e-Builder is new. We did not have a capability for location-based information within the application itself, but it is now included, which is the added GIS capability.

How do data strategy and GIS play a role?

Most of our users on the enterprise asset management side are GIS-centric, having GIS and GPS experience. They recognize and understand the value of location data combined with asset data. For example, it is so much better for an inspector to know the location of bolts that need to be repaired before the work begins.

Additionally, from a GIS perspective, if you are thinking about the GPS elements, and location and spatial data relative to an asset from the planning stage, through design and construction all the way to operation and maintenance, that data can be used to more efficiently operate and maintain the asset over its lifecycle. This asset lifecycle management approach allows the owner to reduce their total cost of ownership for that asset by as much as 40%.

Do you have an example?

Let’s say a bridge costs $1 million to plan, design and construct. Historically, $3 million would then be spent on operations and maintenance across the bridge’s service life, bringing the total cost of ownership of the bridge to $4 million. However, using an asset lifecycle management approach, owners can reduce that $4 million cost by up to 40 percent, saving $1,600,000 on the total cost of ownership of that bridge.

These enormous savings are possible because owners can track the location, condition and attributes of the bridge throughout the asset lifecycle and use that information to make better decisions for managing the asset. Owners can access information such as the location of the bridge, the type of asphalt used to build it, the geometry of all the components that create that bridge and more. All that asset-specific information is available in a GIS geolocated model, which is highly valuable not just for the owner, but for the design and contractor teams along the entire asset lifecycle.

Are there benefits of using a mobile mapping platform to collect data as opposed to using a UAV?

They serve different purposes. UAVs go up in the air at key points in a project to give owners an update on the project performance and how much is getting completed.

Another way of capturing rich asset data quickly is mobile mapping and terrestrial laser scanning. What you will see, for example, is that a state DOT will have to provide information to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) relative to all their lane miles. In large scale projects, a vehicle-mounted mobile mapping system can be used to capture highly accurate and immersive asset data at highway speed. That data will then go into an asset management system, where it can help users prioritize where the road repairs need to take place.

Will artificial intelligence (AI) be integrated into this suite in the future?

AI is already being used today to transform large amounts of real-world data into information. If an owner has collected data to inspect a bridge, for example, the highly accurate and rich data from mobile mapping and UAV systems can show an owner where exactly repairs are needed. The datasets are, however, extremely large, and AI built into processing and analysis software can help reduce tedious tasks, such as extracting features. This streamlined analysis of the data helps to inform owners on how to best manage and maintain their assets.

The key capabilities of the Trimble Unity Asset Lifecycle Management Suite will be available beginning in June 2024.

<p>The post An inside look at Trimble’s new product suite first appeared on GPS World.</p>

The enterprise system from Hexagon unifies data from a variety of geographic information systems (GIS), enabling bi-directional data flow with other systems based on the Common Information Model (CIM) standard. The system enhances ECG’s ability to geographically reference and manage assets with integrated tools for data surveying, capture and maintenance and network planning and calculation.

Mobile capabilities enable efficient inspections and maintenance, while a web portal assists employees with locating assets, reviewing the network and more. Migrating to Hexagon’s system will increase process efficiency and reduce asset-management costs by harmonizing systems, validating existing data and capturing missing data.

“The utility GIS is the critical component that fuels innovation in the utility,” said Keli Gadzekpo, board chairman of ECG. “This project is the foundation and the first step to modernizing ECG operations. It is the platform for digitization of electrical network assets, a prerequisite for bringing efficiency in the wire business.”

Photo: Hexagon

Part of ECG’s Modernizing Utility Operations Activity, the project was commissioned by Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Ghana, on behalf of the Government of Ghana’s Millennium Challenge Account Entity Program and funded by the U.S. government.

“We are exceedingly grateful to Hexagon for working tirelessly to deliver this innovative product,” said Julius K. Kpekpena, Ag CEO and COO, Millennium Development Authority. “The technology sets Ghana’s biggest electric distribution utility on the path to modernizing its operations. The GIS is the foundation for modern tools to help ECG plan its networks, reduce losses, collect revenues and serve customers more efficiently.”

The project included procurement and installation of system software, server hardware, mobile field units and services for data migration by Hexagon, field validation of assets by PDSA Ghana (part of Hexagon), and production of aerial imagery by ILV Wagner using Hexagon’s Leica Geosystems surveying and airborne imaging technologies.

“Reliable electricity requires accurate data and tools to plan, design and manage networks, which can also reduce overall maintenance costs,” said Maximillian Weber, senior vice president, Global Utilities & Communications, Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division. “We are proud to support Electricity Company of Ghana in delivering quality service to its customers.”

<p>The post Hexagon helps Ghana utility modernize electricity distribution first appeared on GPS World.</p>

News from the European GNSS Agency

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has launched the MyGalileoSolution competition. The contest is targeting European innovators and entrepreneurs ready to develop location-based solutions, such as mobile applications, wearable-based solutions, asset management and tracking solutions, or robotics, leveraging Galileo as a source of positioning, navigation and/or timing. A wide participation from all Member States is expected.

GSA has a successful track record in supporting and boosting GNSS-based innovative applications. For years, the agency has been leading several research and innovation initiatives such as the Galileo Masters, Horizon 2020 projects, and more recently European competitions like the 2019 MyGalileoApp and Hackathons across Europe and beyond.

Two tracks for 56 prizes

With a prize pool of almost € 1.5 million, MyGalileoSolution is the largest competition ever organized by the GSA. It consists of two independent and parallel tracks, each one with a list of goals and deliverables.

Track 1 , From Idea to Prototype, aims to develop a beta version of an application or a prototype of a solution implementing an idea, reaching a minimum of 50% of its functionality.

Track 2, From Prototype to Product, aims to develop a fully functional solution ready to be commercialised starting from a beta version of an application or a prototype.

Participants are expected to leverage Galileo’s robust positioning and accurate timing and synchronization capabilities, showing how it can enable the development of the next generation of applications and services across a wide range of areas. In this competition the GSA is challenging innovators in four different areas: Crisis & Emergency Response, Smart Transport for Green Deal, Solution for Digital Age, and Cybersecurity.

Galileo for location-based services

With more than 1.5 billion Galileo-enabled smartphones and more than 51 million GNSS-enabled wearable devices in the market, location-based services (LBS) are booming. Accurate positioning and timing are at the heart of the growth and evolution of LBS, in addition the access to Android GNSS raw measurements has allowed for the creation of advanced GNSS positioning algorithms that enable the development of more ambitious smartphone-based applications.

‘’Galileo has set the trend for dual-frequency chipsets, which provide better accuracy and are more resistant to multipath in urban environments,” said Pascal Claudel, GSA acting executive director. “We are looking forward to seeing innovators launching their disruptive GNSS solutions and turning them into real businesses, hence leading to European growth, competitiveness and sustainability. There is ‘space’ for all types of innovation and we expect the participation of all Member States.”

“Competitions like MyGalileoSolution are a great opportunity to quickly move from idea to market,” said Francesco Fiorito, leader of Argeo, the winning team of the 2019 MyGalileoApp competition. “It is a confidence boost for young entrepreneurs and their capacity to grow and generate new solutions and business,” Claudel concluded.

Deadlines and more information

The deadline for submission for both categories is Sept. 30. Projects will be evaluated in terms of their innovative nature, market potential, feasibility and Galileo relevance by a panel of GSA experts.

<p>The post GSA’s MyGalileoSolution competition deadline is Sept. 30 first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Estonian Railways Ltd., a state-owned company responsible for Estonia’s railway administration, has selected Hexagon’s Geospatial division to implement a transportation system that will automate and digitize the railway’s infrastructure maintenance, construction and traffic management processes.

The combined asset management system and geographic information system (GIS) platform will help the company’s 700-plus employees efficiently manage assets and workflows.

Powered by Hexagon’s GeoTrAMS, a web-based system for tram and light-rail infrastructure, and GeoMedia, a flexible GIS management platform, Estonia Railway will be able to visualize assets on a map while integrating with other companies and external systems.

Hexagon’s state-of-the-art registry will serve multiple information systems and users at the same time, centralizing the use of asset and spatial data while avoiding data duplication and ensuring that users have access to the most up-to-date information.

“As a company, we are in a unique situation of simultaneously implementing Hexagon-specific spatial data modules for rail infrastructure management and Microsoft’s ERP for asset management, gathering and digitizing different fragmented data, unifying different workflows and applying new data management principles,” said Maia Sokk, innovation manager at Estonian Railways. “Based on our strategic goals for the next four years, we are significantly modernizing our traffic management systems. Implementing Hexagon’s technologies is an important link in this ambitious plan.”

Prior to selecting Hexagon, Estonian Railways used a fragmented system of disparate software applications to manage assets and infrastructure across its 750 miles of railroad, 129 platforms and 60 stations. With the new solution in place, Estonia Railway will be able to improve operational efficiency and transparency, better control expenses connected to the infrastructure and streamline administrative tasks.

“Estonian Railways is forward-thinking in its use of location intelligence for managing infrastructure and operations,” said Mladen Stojic, president of Hexagon’s Geospatial division. “We are excited to deliver an integrated solution that will help the railway effectively monitor and maintain its assets while also ensuring successful management of rail traffic, construction projects and services.”

Estonian Railways has been responsible for ensuring the smooth operation, management and maintenance of the country’s railway infrastructure since 1870.

Learn more about how Hexagon helps organizations close the gap between the geospatial and operational worlds with its transportation solutions.

Photo: joyt /iStock / Getty Images Plus/ Getty Images

<p>The post Estonian Railways selects Hexagon to automate and digitize operations first appeared on GPS World.</p>

Image: Semtech

Semtech Corporation, supplier of high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, has launched LoRa Edge, a versatile and low-power software defined LoRa-based platform.

Semtech said LoRa Edge will enable a wide portfolio of applications for indoor and outdoor asset management, targeting industrial, building, home, agriculture, transportation and logistics markets.

The first product from this portfolio is a geolocation solution for development of internet of things (IoT) devices for asset management applications. It features low-power Wi-Fi and GNSS sniffing capabilities combined with LoRa Cloud geolocation and device management services to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of locating and monitoring IoT assets.

“Semtech continually delivers internet of things (IoT) solutions that simplify and accelerate the development of LPWAN applications,” said Pedro Pachuca, director of IoT Wireless in Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “LoRa Edge and LoRa Cloud geolocation services enable customers to develop ultra-low power applications for a variety of industries and will expand the mass adoption of LoRa in the IoT ecosystem.”

Over the next decade, 500 billion devices are expected to connect to the internet (according to Cisco), as organizations continue to shift towards a more IoT-focused business strategy, and the majority of those IoT devices require some form of localization capability either at point of install or through the assets life.

The LoRa Edge geolocation platform will enable solution providers to leverage the unique localization capabilities of LoRa as well as GNSS and Wi-Fi scanning capabilities from a single chip solution, allowing customers to choose the best localization tool for the application task they are addressing.

By removing the need for incremental GNSS and Wi-Fi components, LoRa Edge reduces the bill of material (BOM) costs of devices and significantly reduces design and procurement complexity, Semtech said.

The first LoRa Edge chipset targeted with geolocation (LR1110) is available today; more products from this portfolio will be released in the first half of this year.

Product Features

Multi-Purpose Radio Front-End

• 150 – 2700 MHz continuous frequency synthesizer range
• GPS/BeiDou scanning
• Wi-Fi passive scanning

Low-Power LoRa/(G)FSK RF Transceiver

• Worldwide frequency bands support in the range 150 – 960 MHz
• High power PA path +22 dBm
• High efficiency PA path +15 dBm
• Fully compatible with the LoRaWAN standard

Cryptographic Engine

• Hardware support for AES-128 encryption/decryption based algorithms
• Handling device parameters such as DevEUI and JoinEUI
• Protects confidential information such as encryption keys
• Stores NwkKey, AppKey, as defined in the LoRaWAN standard

<p>The post Semtech releases LoRa Edge for IoT asset tracking first appeared on GPS World.</p>

The mobile mapping market is propelled by the increasing adoption of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets across the globe. Smartphone users are extensively using mapping applications on their devices for navigation and driving assistance, the report said.

Furthermore, they are also leveraging on the GIS and GPS applications to access geo-referenced data for searching nearby restaurants, cinema halls and other landmarks. This is encouraging the technology companies to commence mapping across the globe to acquire accurate GIS data and provide an enhanced customer experience.

High initial investment is a major factor limiting the growth of the mobile mapping market. Currently, the market comprises a few major players with a long-standing expertise in location-based technologies. High initial investments in developing mobile mapping systems and assembling major components have restricted the entry of new players in the market.

According to the report, the software market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15 percent over the projected timespan. The growing demand for geo-referenced data acquisition and data analysis software among the organizations is driving the mobile mapping market growth. The software assists organizations in simplifying the data extraction process by combining the vital details. It retrieves geographic and spatial data captured by the positioning devices to develop maps and other graphic displays. This data is also used by enterprises to build effective decision support systems, which will drive the market demand.

The report includes key industry insights in 250 pages with 341 market data tables and 38 figures and charts from the report, “Mobile Mapping Market Size, By Component (Hardware [Imaging Device, Laser Ranging Device & Scanning Device, Positioning Device], Software [Mapping Data Extraction, Data Processing], Service [Consulting, Integration & Maintenance, Managed Service]), By Application (Road & Railway Survey, GIS Data Collection, Vehicle Control & Guidance, Asset Management), By End-User (Agriculture, BFSI, Government & Public Sector, Real Estate, Retail, Mining, Telecommunication, Transport & Logistics), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia & NZ, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, GCC, Israel, South Africa), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 – 2024.”

The mobile mapping technology is used for conducting road and rail surveys, collecting GIS data, and developing vehicle control and guidance systems and asset management systems. The road and rail survey market is expected to register a growth rate of over 17 percent during the forecast period. It is used to analyze the road and rail infrastructure and plan the engineering operations with minimum disruptions. The surveying authorities across the globe are using mobile mapping technology to create maps for the transportation department for road assessment purposes.

The agriculture sector is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 22 percent during the forecast timeline. The integration of the GPS and GNSS devices into the farming process to acquire geospatial data is the primary factor driving the mobile mapping market share. Furthermore, the ability of the mobile mapping technology to monitor the crop yield and land variability also augments the demand for the technology among the farmers.

The European region accounted for over 25 percent global mobile mapping market in 2017. The increasing investments by the government agencies have accelerated the adoption of mobile mapping technology in the region. For instance, in 2017, the U.K. government established the Geospatial Data Commission to frame a strategy for using the public sector location data to support the country’s growth.

The Asia Pacific region will grow at a rapid pace over the forecast timespan. The rapid urbanization of the region and the growing number of infrastructural projects have fostered the growth of the mobile mapping market in the region. Moreover, the widespread adoption of smartphones has also driven the market size.

Prominent players operating in the mobile mapping market are Phoenix LiDAR, Sharp Corporation, Teledyne Optech, TomTom International, Topcon Positioning Systems, MapJack, Mapquest, Navteq, NCTech, Microsoft, Mitsubishi, NovAtel, Phaseone industrial, Hexagon, EveryScape, Foursquare Labs and XIMEA.

The major companies in the market are collaborating with other expert companies in the market to develop new product offerings and conduct strategic acquisitions to gain a competitive advantage over its competitors.

For instance, in 2017, Garmin acquired Navionics, a provider of electronic navigational charts to the marine industry. This acquisition is aimed at combining the data from Navionics charts and Garmin’s blue charts to develop improved navigational services to its customers. Similarly, in 2017, Hexagon entered into an OEM partnership with Smart Guided Systems to develop new precision technologies for commercial applications.

The global mobile mapping market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast revenue in USD respectively from 2013 to 2024, for the following segments.

Mobile Mapping Market, By Component

Hardware
Imaging device
Laser ranging and scanner device
Positioning device
Software
Mapping data extraction
Data processing
Service
Consulting
Integration & maintenance
Managed

Mobile Mapping Market, By Application

Road & railway survey
GIS data collection
Vehicle control & guidance
Asset management

Mobile Mapping Market, By End-User

Agriculture
BFSI
Government & public sector
Real estate & infrastructure
Retail
Mining
Telecommunication

Regions and Countries

North America
U.S.
Canada
Europe
UK
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Asia Pacific
ANZ
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Argentina
MEA
GCC
South Africa
Israel

<p>The post Mobile mapping market size worth over $40B by 2024 first appeared on GPS World.</p>

PCTEL’s new Trooper II and Coach II dual-carrier antenna platforms are designed to meet the requirements of increasingly complex RF communication systems in transportation applications.

The Trooper II antenna. (Photo: PCTEL)

Both Trooper II and Coach II antennas feature four 4G LTE antenna elements, and four 802.11ac Wi-Fi MIMO elements compatible with the world’s leading multi-network cellular routers.

The antennas support carrier aggregation for high-speed data transmissions in dense RF environments, such as transit depots and rail stations.

They also incorporate PCTEL’s proprietary high-rejection multi-GNSS technology for high precision tracking and asset management. Both platforms are housed in attractive low-profile housings and can be easily installed on all types of mass transit vehicles, or even fixed surfaces, the company said.

“PCTEL has a strong portfolio of products for rail and mass transit applications,” said Rishi Bharadwaj, PCTEL’s COO. “Our products have been qualified and deployed by major railroad equipment manufacturers and operators for over a decade. We are excited to showcase our industry-leading technology and capabilities at InnoTrans.

“High-performance antennas play a crucial role in the implementation of wireless technologies to improve safety and operational efficiency,” Bharadwaj said. “PCTEL’s innovative MIMO antenna technology also enables transit operators to deliver a better passenger experience through more reliable high-speed internet access.”

<p>The post PCTEL showcases 4×4 LTE multi-GNSS antennas at InnoTrans first appeared on GPS World.</p>

From left: Esri Program Manager Doug Morgenthaler, Laser Technology Sr. Product Manger Derrick Reish and Eos CTO Jean-Yves Lauture. (Photo: Eos Positioning)

The three-way partnership will enable field crews to collect centimeter-accurate 3D data in GNSS-impaired environments.

GNSS receiver maker Eos Positioning Systems has released a laser offset solution within the Esri Collector for ArcGIS workflow.

When combined with Laser Technology Inc.’s (LTI’s) laser rangefinders, the solution will allow field crews to capture centimeter-accurate 3D locations of hard-to-reach assets and in GNSS-impaired environments.

“By combining the high-accuracy of the Eos Arrow Series GNSS receivers and the laser capabilities of LTI, we can empower field crews to capture highly accurate XYZ coordinates from a safe distance,” LTI Senior Product Manager Derrick Reish said. “This eliminates the need for physically occupying every point. It also provides more accurate location data, with a more affordable mobile asset-management workflows.”

The Arrow Gold. (Photo: Eos Positioning)

The solution has been in the works for months, as demand has grown for hard-to-reach, high-accuracy mapping within the Collector workflow.

“Eos is extremely grateful to be a part of this initial release in high-accuracy asset location data with LTI’s laser rangefinders and Esri’s Collector mobile app,” Eos CTO Jean-Yves Lauture said. “Enabling this kind of accuracy means even the most budget-conscious field crews will be able to access the location of their hard-to-reach assets.”

All three teams have been working closely to ensure a seamless integration with Collector and ArcGIS Online. When using an LTI laser rangefinder and an Eos Arrow Series receiver with Collector, a field worker can easily shoot, capture and share high-accuracy 3D location data that is streamed into ArcGIS Online in real-time.

Image: Eos Positioning

The solution is expected to be particularly useful in urban corridors, highway settings, forested (or wetlands) areas, and other areas where assets are hard or dangerous to occupy. This will both increase accuracy and efficiency, as well as decrease safety liabilities in dangerous situations, the companies said.

“Esri is extremely pleased that Collector can now support the capture of high-accuracy asset locations from afar, leveraging our unique partnership with both Eos and LTI,” Esri Product Manager Jeff Shaner said. “This is a game changer for asset management.”

Prior to this release, field crews challenged with capturing high-accuracy 3D locations for hard-to-reach assets would need to use a total station with a different software workflow and then mesh the data back in the office, a clumsy and inefficient workflow requiring lots of additional training and expertise. With the new workflow, field crews can operate in GNSS-impaired environments at a high-accuracy level without leaving the Collector/AGOL environment, creating a highly efficient workflow.

The solution has been designed to provide several offset-mapping methods.

“The implementation of several measurement methods gives users the freedom of choice, so they can pick the right laser option which meets their accuracy needs,” Reish said.

Eos will unveil its offset measurement solution for Collector at the upcoming Esri User Conference in San Diego. For a field demonstration of how the solution works, attendees can visit Eos at booth #1019 during the conference, and attend the session “LaserGIS for Everyone: How to Combat Costly and Tedious Data Collection Workflows” at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

<p>The post Eos, Laser Technology and Esri Introduce Laser Mapping Workflow for Esri’s Collector for ArcGIS first appeared on GPS World.</p>