This strategic alignment strengthens the delivery of advanced reality capture solutions across a broad spectrum of industries. Professionals in surveying and mapping, architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), energy and utilities infrastructure, and public safety and forensics will all benefit from enhanced access to these integrated technologies.

“The integration of Topcon’s precision positioning technology with Pix4D’s photogrammetry expertise is another great example of the type of collaboration the geospatial industry has always thrived on,” said Murray Lodge, executive vice president of Topcon Positioning Systems. “This will provide professionals with seamless access to industry-leading solutions that combine our complementary technologies.”

“The agreement on close collaboration with Topcon marks an important milestone in Pix4D growth strategy,” said Andrey Kleymenov, CEO at Pix4D. “A combination of precision positioning technology from Topcon and advanced photogrammetry and GeoFusion algorithms from Pix4D creates a powerful set of solutions for professionals in the utilities, infrastructure, and horizontal construction markets globally.” 

The agreement enables customers to access Pix4D’s advanced photogrammetry software solutions through Topcon’s established global distribution network, streamlining the procurement process for end-users while ensuring comprehensive technical support.

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Applications include those for construction professionals, surveyors, GIS professionals, archeologists, engineering firms, and others who rely on quality, precision measurements. The HiPer XR builds on Topcon’s 30-year legacy in GNSS technology and supports all major satellite constellations, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, IRNSS, QZSS, and SBAS. 

The new receiver has advanced TILT (Topcon Integrated Leveling Technology) compensation featuring a calibration-free and magnetic interference-immune integrated IMU that provides up to 60 degrees of tilt for precision measurements in challenging positions. The sophisticated signal integrity protection, anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities keep data reliable, even in areas with interference or tampered signals. For surveyors, construction site foremen, or anyone managing critical operations, this means less downtime, better performance, and peace of mind, even in challenging environments.

“It’s a powerful receiver in a compact and lightweight body, which makes it incredibly versatile, allowing for multiple configurations. It can be used as a base or rover or through an RTK correction service, such as Topnet Live. Its rugged, water-resistant construction ensures durability in harsh conditions, and with its anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities, users can count on highly reliable GNSS operations,” said Vince Banas, senior vice president of global engineering for Topcon.

“The HiPer XR represents our commitment to developing solutions that address real-world challenges. By combining our proven precise positioning technology with advanced GNSS resilience and a solid foundation of durability, quality, and reliability, we are helping professionals maintain productivity in the most challenging environments.”

Through the myTopcon NOW! site, users can access comprehensive support, including online training materials, firmware updates, and additional software resources.

Topcon Positioning Systems is a global company with decades of precision technology experience with engineering, research and development, and manufacturing operations on multiple continents, along with a global network of dealers for sales and support. The company’s R&D facilities operate continuously across multiple time zones to support ongoing innovation in positioning technology.

The HiPer XR is available through Topcon’s global distribution network. For more information, visit topconpositioning.com/solutions/technology/infrastructure-products/gnss-bases-and-rovers.

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This technology delivers precise positioning data for critical infrastructure assessment, surveying, utility mapping, and 3D machine control systems for construction machines among other applications and will be available at no cost within affected areas. Precision mapping capabilities are essential for first responders, public works teams, and other professionals conducting damage assessments, infrastructure repairs, and rebuilding initiatives in impacted communities.

The subscriptions will be active for 90 days and will support any brand receiver that is capable of utilizing RTCM format NTRIP corrections. Topcon and its distributors will manage these subscriptions as a service to aid in the assessment of damages and start the rebuilding process.

“We want to help the efforts that are ongoing and aid in the future reconstruction of the damaged communities from these wildfires,” said Jason Killpack, director of Topcon emerging business development. “The 90-day emergency subscription service is free to anybody that needs them to get their essential job done.”

To activate the service through a participating Topcon distributor in California, contact information is provided here: topconpositioning.com/articles/emergency-california-topnet-live-subscription-information.

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The expanded network delivers sophisticated network corrections that streamline operational workflows across multiple market segments. Beyond traditional applications, the enhanced infrastructure supports sophisticated technologies in diverse areas, such as automated turf management, precision line marking, imaging systems, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mapping and delivery operations.

“This unprecedented network expansion represents our commitment to providing cutting-edge geospatial solutions for all industries,” said Jason Killpack, director of business development for Topcon Emerging Business. “With these latest additions and our efforts throughout 2024, we have grown Topnet Live total coverage by 30% in the U.S. Our services are empowering users in a multitude of market segments through comprehensive, network-modeled solutions that address a broad range of professional requirements.

“Our decision to continuously expand the Topnet Live network is the direct result of our dedication to technological leadership, combined with our dedication to the people of the industries we serve. Topnet Live continues to set industry benchmarks, maintaining the most extensive international reach in global markets. We remain committed to delivering unparalleled service and outcomes for our customers and partners.”

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HydroGNSS is one of a series of ESA missions, the so-called Scout missions, part of the agency’s FutureEO program, designed to quickly and cheaply demonstrate new Earth observation techniques using small satellites.

GNSS signals are differentially reflected or scattered by the Earth’s surface, as affected by water content, specifically permittivity, surface roughness and overlying vegetation. Once analyzed, these reflected signals can provide information about various geophysical properties. Special innovations introduced by HydroGNSS are to include dual-polarization and dual-frequency (L1/E1 and L5/E5) reception, and collection of high-rate coherent reflections.

Compact but powerful Earth observation platform

HydroGNSS uses the SSTL-21 platform, measuring 45 cm x 45 cm x 70 cm and weighing around 65 kg total per satellite. The payload will be operated at near 100% duty, and can support high data download rates using an X-Band transmitter. Star cameras provide precise attitude measurements, and a xenon propulsion system permits orbit phasing, collision avoidance and supports satellite disposal at the end of the mission. The two HydroGNSS satellites will take a ride-share launch into a 550 km sun-synchronous orbit, phased apart by 180 degrees to maximize coverage.

The SGR-ReSI-Z payload is a delay Doppler mapping receiver, tracking the direct GPS and Galileo signals through a zenith antenna and processing the reflected signals from a nadir antenna to create delay Doppler maps (DDMs). The zenith and nadir antennas employ all-metal patch technology, enabling the reception of dual-frequency and dual-polarized signals. Low noise amplifiers include blackbody loads to provide calibration for the amplitude measurement. Generated measurement datasets can be stored in the satellite’s data recorder and downloaded to ground stations at allocated passes several times per day.

Speaking at his annual press briefing in Paris earlier this month (January 2025), ESA Director General Joseph Aschbacher said, “We now expect to launch HydroGNSS in the fourth quarter of 2025, as one of the three so-far-identified Scout missions, which is a series based on smaller satellites, lasting three years of development work and with a relatively limited budget of roughly 30 million for industrial contracts. We see the Scout missions as something very important for our space science work. The scientific community is evaluating them and these are the ones selected and endorsed by them.”

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These locations can include brownfield sites, unsafe environments like peat bogs, and new and aging infrastructure elements, where ground settlement and other perturbations can have serious consequences.

Speaking at a recent project presentation organized by the European Space Agency (ESA), GVL’s Managing Director Paul Bhatia said current solutions such as conventional PNT and RTK base stations are expensive and not well-tailored to varied applications. “AIPLAN combines a custom-built COTS [consumer off-the-shelf]-based GNSS receiver with InSAR [interferometric synthetic aperture radar] technology, fine-tuned using AI and ML [machine learning] to deliver better results,” he said. InSAR is a technique for mapping ground deformation using radar images of the Earth’s surface from orbiting satellites.

AIPLAN geodetic receivers and purpose-designed rovers collect GNSS data, while InSAR point time-series data is collected via corner reflectors and other natural reflectors. All data is uploaded to AIPLAN’s unique AI/ML system via the cloud, where pattern recognition and anomaly detection are employed to smooth errors in the data and provide algorithm training.

All points covered

The project set positioning accuracy targets of 1-5mm in plan and 2-5mm in height. Low-cost GNSS modules were used to keep overall hardware costs down. All equipment is built waterproof and rugged, to withstand deployment to challenging environments. The system is designed to provide real-time updates, with daily position reports. The developed software is easy to configure and user-friendly, accessible via mobile phone or laptop.

The project undertook test campaigns in a variety of settings in the UK, calibrating and assessing GNSS base-stations, rovers and dual InSAR corner reflectors at the Spen pig farm at the University of Leeds, at Snake Pass, a section of the A57 in the Peak District, opened in 1821, and at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley, West Midlands.

All the results, Bhatia said, were positive. AI- and ML-based AIPLAN systems delivered a high accuracy of 3-4mm, in both horizontal and vertical position measurements, and a newly prototyped visualization suite provided valuable time-series data for the monitoring points. The new tools, he said, are suited to task and can also serve in the monitoring of a variety of geohazards such as landslides and earthquakes.

The AIPLAN project was funded by ESA’s NAVISP program, which supports competitiveness in the European PNT-related industries.

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This will help The HALO Trust further its demining operations across the world. Building on the impact of the ongoing collaboration, Trimble’s latest donation will support the expansion and productivity of The HALO Trust’s mine clearance teams. The Catalyst GNSS system provides The HALO Trust with a solution for deploying precise mapping capabilities to large field teams across broad geographic areas. More field teams can now be equipped with the necessary tools to safely and efficiently clear landmines, thereby accelerating the pace of landmine clearance globally.

Since receiving Trimble’s product donations and the Trimble Foundation Fund directed grant, The HALO Trust has made remarkable progress in landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance. From January to September 2024 alone, The HALO Trust cleared 802 minefields and battlefields, covering a total area of 10,400 acres across 12 war-torn countries. During this period, 31,209 landmines and other Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) were safely destroyed — all accurately mapped using the Trimble Catalyst GNSS system.

The HALO Trust’s use of Trimble technology has not only enhanced operational efficiency but also provided critical data for safe land reclamation and development. The accuracy and reliability of Trimble’s technology have been pivotal in ensuring the safety and success of demining operations in regions severely impacted by conflict, such as Ukraine, Angola and Sri Lanka.

“We are incredibly grateful for Trimble’s continued support,” said James Cowan, chief executive of The HALO Trust. “Trimble Catalyst and DA2 GNSS receivers have transformed our ability to map and clear minefields accurately. This new donation will enable us to expand our teams and reach even more affected communities, making a tangible difference in their lives.”

“The HALO Trust is making the world a better place,” said Emily Saunoi-Sandgren, director of environmental, social and governance (ESG) at Trimble and chair of the Trimble Foundation Fund. “Their dedication to humanitarian efforts aligns perfectly with Trimble’s mission of transforming the way the world works. By providing advanced technology solutions, we are enabling The HALO Trust to carry out their life-saving work more effectively.”

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At its core, the RESEPI Ultra LITE integrates the XT-32 LiDAR scanner, providing surveyors with top-tier data accuracy, a high point density, and the versatility to perform in various operational modes.

With a lightweight design for easy transport and deployment, the RESEPI Ultra LITE is compatible with numerous platforms, including Freefly, WISPR, DJI, Sony, and mobile setups. This seamless integration is achieved through Inertial Labs’ proprietary SnapFit adapters, which ensure rapid and secure mounting and dismounting. Engineered for high accuracy and precision, the system underwent meticulous testing to refine timestamping and calibration methods, empowering users to capture data confidently.

nertial Labs CEO Jamie Marraccini commented, “Inertial Labs has always aimed to push the boundaries of survey technology, and the RESEPI Ultra LITE exemplifies our commitment to delivering high-performance tools that don’t compromise on quality or value. Combining the lightest and most adaptable design with best-in-class precision empowers surveyors and 3D mapping professionals to capture data faster, easier, and more confidently.”

The RESEPI Ultra LITE’s compact configuration includes a 5MP colorization camera, making it a solution for SUAS platforms with volume constraints requiring LiDAR and camera capabilities. It is optimized for aerial and ground-based applications, such as utility mapping (power lines), construction volumetrics, precision agriculture, forestry, site surveying, and mining.

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The new model features the same form factor as the well-established VUX-120; same mounting patterns and weight. “The key difference between the models is that the VUX-100 has an increased field of view, at 160 degrees,” said Truong, “where the VUX-120 and the VUX-160, which is the larger sister in the series, have 100-degree fields of view. The VUX-100 scans nadir-only, and it’s being offered at a lower price point.”

A wider field of view enables users to map with fewer passes, requiring less time in the air for the same project. “The key benefit is the improved efficiency,” Truong said. “With the wider field of view, you have less overlap. Data is captured at a lower density. The VUX-120 scans at a maximum of 2.4 MHz, while the VUX-100 scans at 1.5 MHz. We know that for a lot of projects that level of data density is absolutely sufficient. This unit is really optimized for a small UAS working on many kinds of tasks.”

Growing a successful line

The new addition comes hot on the heels of last year’s RiLOC (Riegl localization and orientation component). “RiLOC is our first foray into our own IMU GNSS solution,” said Thuong. “It’s designed to integrate with our small-form-factor miniVUX series.” Riegl took the solution further this year with the introduction of the RiLOC-F, a new version featuring improved performance that is fully compatible with the larger VUX series, making possible a lighter-weight system integration for the VUX-100 and VUX-120. “It also makes for a lower-cost, overall solution for the end customer, regardless of which VUX model they are using,” Thuong said.

All of this is likely to expand the company’s range of customers. “We’re definitely targeting those clients that have been interested in Riegl but have not been able to make that transition to the highest quality and performance that we can provide,” said Thuong. “This will bring them into the Riegl fold, into our processing work flow.”

Potential new clients include smaller, low-end ‘mom-and-pop’ surveying firms, as well as established geospatial industry players, big surveyors and engineering and mapping companies. “Some of these may have been more active on the terrestrial LiDAR side, and are ready to make that transition to UAS operation,” Thuong said, “and we also have clients that already fully invested in the large-format, aerial systems and may be ready to work with a smaller UAS payload and go after those smaller projects.”

Thuong said she believes that with the introduction of the VUX-100 and new integration possibilities such as the VUX-120 with the RiLOC-F, her company can bring more solutions to meet more needs among a more diverse customer base. If she’s right, Riegl will have taken us all a step closer to the remapping of the world, a goal that, among the InterGEO 2024 crowd, appears to have become a real and pressing target.

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The project was initiated in 2004 by then college student Steve Coast and was originally focused on mapping in the United Kingdom. Exploiting local knowledge has been a key to its success, with contributors adding data from aerial imagery, surveys, GPS devices, and low-tech field maps, as well as from other freely licensed geodata sources.

TomTom, the Dutch multinational developer and creator of location technology, has become a key partner of OSM, providing its own edits to the project since 2021. The newest version of TomTom Map, released in 2023, uses OSM data.

In a recent blog, TomTom’s editorial team described OSM as an absolutely loaded data source, providing, for example, valuable pedestrian and visual features that complement TomTom’s own very rich proprietary resources. In return, TomTom supports OSM by sharing mapping expertise and hosting mapping events, and through sponsorships.

Deep inroads

From a blank slate, 20 years ago, OSM has become a truly global project. Starting with the addition of large-scale objects and major motorways, contributors have proceeded to build a high-resolution representation of the world, including the streets we live on, the footpaths where we walk, and even the trees we sit under.

Any number of today’s popular digital service providers are incorporating more and more geolocation or other map-based elements, and that trend continues to grow. Among the providers already known to be using OSM data in their location-related services are Apple, Facebook, Foursquare, Snapchat, Strava, Flickr, Craigslist and Grab. Those specifically providing navigation-related services include Tesla, Garmin, Organic Maps, Moovit, Amazon, Komoot, Gurtam and Geotab.

Humanitarian organizations also use OpenStreetMap in responding to natural disasters; citizens’ groups consult it in the context of local transportation planning. And, not least, climate scientists, the United Nations and the Red Cross use OSM. With 20 years now behind it, the project looks likely to continue to provide powerful benefits to a widening community of users, all for free, for quite a few years more.

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