The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is seeking interested sponsors to define the challenges for Phase 2 of its Future Cities Pilot Project. As the operation and planning of cities increasingly relies on 3D geo-information in their processes, and apply Building Information Models (BIM) paradigms to their information management approach, efficient information flow in both directions between geospatial systems (GIS) and... read more
The ZEB-REVO RT is the next generation of the ZEB-REVO, GeoSLAM’s lightweight handheld laser scanner that allows the rapid and simple mapping of complex, indoor and multi-level spaces. The ZEB-REVO RT uses technology to seamlessly connect the scanner to a mobile phone or tablet, allowing for real-time data visualization as you walk and scan. GeoSLAM launched its new offering in... read more
When it comes to renovating a building, unforeseen structural problems or lack of knowledge about the materials used can result in costly delays. Detailed site surveys help to highlight these issues before work begins — and digital technology is playing an increasingly important role in identifying them. A project undertaken at a 112-year-old school highlights the advantages of using 3D mobile indoor mapping... read more
Leica Geosystems’ BLK360 is a miniaturized black 3D imaging laser scanner. The BLK360 captures the world with full-color panoramic images overlaid on a high-accuracy point cloud. The one-button Leica BLK360 is easy to use, Leica said. Anyone who can operate an iPad can now capture the world around them with high-resolution 3D panoramic images. The Leica BLK360 imaging laser scanner... read more
Hexagon announced today its new Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 laser scanning software for simpler, automated registration, and its Cyclone Cloud Services platform for secure global collaboration through an on-demand software-as-a-service model. Together, the new products offer users smarter ways to register, visualize and collaborate around digital reality projects, delivering solutions into the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), plant, survey and... read more
Teledyne Optech has released its Polaris terrestrial laser scanner, which automatically detects its location with a built-in GNSS receiver and selects the planned survey parameters for the site. Alternatively, operators can set up surveys in the field and resection/backsight the system using the menu-driven graphical user interface (GUI) on its touchscreen. The announcement was made at the SPAR 3D Conference... read more
Trimble has introduced its next-generation Trimble Indoor Mobile Mapping Solution (TIMMS) that produces fast and accurate maps of difficult-to-navigate indoor spaces and translates them directly into 2D and 3D models of structured interiors. TIMMS 2 is a fusion of technologies for capturing spatial data of indoor and other GNSS denied areas, the company said. It provides both lidar and spherical video, enabling... read more
u-blox has announced the ODIN-W160, a rugged multiradio module for demanding industrial, vehicle, medical, and security applications. “u-blox’ compact ODIN-W160 module is perfect for small sensor applications in rugged environments, where faultless operation 24/7 is a requirement,” says Herbert Blaser, vice president of short-range radio at u-blox. “With this module, u‑blox customers can shorten their product development cycle significantly by integrating a robust,... read more
Facebook has purchased Occulus, a virtual reality gaming startup, for $2 billion. “Today, we’re pleased to announce that we’ve joined forces with Facebook to create the best virtual reality platform in the world,” Occulus announced via a blog post. “Facebook understands the potential for VR,” the blog said. “Mark [Zuckerberg] and his team share our vision for virtual reality’s potential... read more
Google’s 3D mapping project, Project Tango, is putting prototypes into developers’ hands. Google has been collaborating with universities, research labs, and industrial partners in nine countries, to concentrate the past 10 years of research in robotics and computer vision into a mobile phone. “We now have prototypes ready to put into the hands of eager development partners that can help... read more
