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Home 2023 June 2

Daily Archives: 06/02/2023

Aussie Platform for Collaborative Emergency Response

By
Mark Dunford, Con Charalambou, and Kane Orr
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0
Aussie Platform for Collaborative Emergency Response

The Australian Exposure Information Platform (AEIP), a national capability underpins emergency ability to assess rapidly changing and extreme climate events.

The Australian Exposure Information Platform (AEIP) self-serve interface allows users to identify what has been exposed within their custom-defined area of interest.

The AEIP project was a collaborative effort between spatial professionals, software developers, and emergency management practitioners to develop and deliver an application enabling Australia’s emergency managers, researchers, advisors, academics, and the public, access to nationally consistent exposure information (previously access to the information was limited to select members).

The initial project began in June 2017 followed by the launch of the Beta product at the Australian Fire and Emergency Services Council conference in August 2018. An extension to the project in 2019 led to additional functionality and improved user engagement.

Identifying the Needs

After consulting with stakeholders, the main need identified was the ability to quickly gain a holistic understanding of what is potentially exposed within a hazard event area or any area of interest. In response, Geoscience Australia designed the Exposure Report, comprising a collation of selected National Exposure Information System (NEXIS) elements, presented in a clear and consistent layout enabling timely emergency response and recovery decision-making.

Before this project, the ability to generate Exposure Reports relied on manual intervention and was only accessible to a select few with knowledge and skills. The AEIP allows anyone to generate a report for any area of Australia at any time, combining the extensive work from the NEXIS and Exposure Reports with the comprehensive Natural Hazard Exposure Information Framework. For the first time, users have direct access to nationally consistent exposure information through a user-driven, on-demand interface.

What’s in Store?

The mapping application enables users to upload or draw their area of interest or also select from a list of existing geographies, select the type of exposure data themes they would like, and provide contextual information (such as report title). They are then delivered the resulting report via email within five to ten minutes depending on the size and complexity of the areas of interest.

The web platform includes an interactive map for area selection and report requests, and an Application Programming Interface (API) to allow external users to integrate the platform into their own existing or new applications. Users can request reports without having to leave their system (such as Cerberus a web-based fire spread simulator, used by New South Wales Rural Fire Service).

The Australian Exposure Information Platform (AEIP) provides users with an exposure report containing information on what is within their area of interest including counts and statistics on buildings, population, demographics, institutions, infrastructure, businesses, agriculture, and environmental exposure.

The project used a combination of bespoke open-source application development, Amazon Web Services cloud-based infrastructure, and Safe Software’s Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) cloud to deliver the functionality to a wide audience.

Resulting Heatmap

Since launching the AEIP there have been nearly 6 million Exposure Report requests stemming from all tiers of government, academia, private firms, and the public. The AEIP has been extensively used by Australia’s emergency management community during real-time events, most notably during Australia’s Black Summer (2020-21) and the various floods that impacted Australia between 2020 and 2022.

Since launching the AEIP there have been nearly 6 million Exposure Report requests stemming from all tiers of government, academia, private firms, and the public. The AEIP has been extensively used by Australia’s emergency management community during real-time events.

Many state-based emergency management authorities and federal government agencies have API access and use Exposure Report results in situational awareness dashboards, executive briefings, and to plan relief and recovery work and mitigate disasters.

Community-focused recovery is essential. Disasters can deeply impact people’s lives and livelihoods, and helping communities recover from disasters can be challenging and complex. Every community is unique and will have its history, values, and experiences. They will also have their distinct challenges.

The AEIP supports recovery which includes the broader emergency management components of prevention, preparedness, and response. The AEIP includes built, environmental, economic, and demographic elements, across all of Australia. Recovery can provide an opportunity to improve these aspects beyond previous conditions, by enhancing social and natural environments, infrastructure, and economies – contributing to a more resilient community.

ALSO READ: GEOINT to Play Crucial Role in Emergency Response, Says New Survey

Hyundai Motor, Healthy Seas Commit to Protect European Marine Ecosystem

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News Desk
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Hyundai Motor, Healthy Seas Commit to Protect European Marine Ecosystem

Hyundai Motor and marine conservation organization, Healthy Seas have been collaborating for marine protection and cleaning of water. Following the previous collaboration, both have commenced their third year of partnership by undertaking a clean-up initiative. The initiative will be began with a clean-up in Tossa de Mar, a highly polluted marine area in Costa Brava, Spain.

As the partnership has been renewed, their effort will expand on a global level. With a shared vision of shaping a sustainable future, the partners will work together to combat marine pollution across continents, nurture sustainable marine ecosystems, and promote a circular economy. The partnership is currently planning four clean-ups and several educational activations.

“It was truly heart-warming to see all that Hyundai Motor Europe and Healthy Seas achieved together for future generations in 2022,” said Michael Cole, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe. “The plans for partnership in 2023 are even more ambitious. Reaching outside of Europe, our activations this year will have a global effect, cleaning up waters on other continents and further driving a circular economy. It really is a testament to just how much is possible when many parties come together to renew a sustainable relationship with the world’s oceans.”

Cleaning Pollution in Costa Brava

From April 25 to 26, Hyundai and Healthy Seas kicked off their 2023 activities with a two-day clean-up in Tossa de Mar, Spain. This activity had particular significance for the partnership since both organizations – with the strong support of Ghost Diving Spain – have been working together in the area since the beginning of the collaboration in 2021.

The eight volunteer divers from the different teams at Ghost Diving Spain and Ghost Diving Netherlands participated in this cleaning initiative. The aim of their involvement was to remove a large gill net covering a reef within the boundaries of a marine protected area.

Despite being lightweight, gill nets are the most lethal form of marine litter. Many marine organisms, particularly crustaceans, were rescued from the net during the operation. Trammel nets, a broken crab pot, and many meters of long lines were also removed.

Back on land, the volunteer team cut off the lead and ropes and grouped the debris by type. Once sorted, Healthy Seas will ensure that the recovered nets become a new resource. The nylon parts will be regenerated by Aquafil, together with other nylon waste, into ECONYL® yarn, the basis for many new products, such as the floor mats in Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 zero-tailpipe emissions, battery electric vehicles.

For this renewed partnership between Hyundai Motor and Healthy Seas, a camera crew followed the volunteers in Tossa de Mar and documented their efforts to preserve marine ecosystems.

ALSO READ: Hyundai Motor joins Korean Government Entities to Protect Blue Carbon Ecosystem

Open Standards Crucial for Data Capitalization, Interoperability: Julien Moutte, CTO, Bentley Systems

By
Meenal Dhande
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Open Standards Crucial for Data Capitalization, Interoperability: Julien Moutte, CTO, Bentley Systems
Open Standards Crucial for Data Capitalization, Interoperability: Julien Moutte, CTO, Bentley Systems

With the tremendous increase in cloud capability and cheaper storage, a plethora of data has become available. This makes it easier than before to create Digital Twins; however, there are opportunities as well as challenges pertaining to it. In order to fully leverage the cloud, there’s a need to align data and break silos.

“Digital Twin, first and foremost, is a data integration project about aligning data, extracting insights, and making decisions. For long-term capitalization of data, Open Standards are important. There are a lot of open industry standards that we are embracing”, says Julien Moutte, CTO of Bentley Systems.

Also Watch: Five Benefits of Using Digital Twin in Construction Industry

Combating Terrorism in the Indo-Pacific: A Call for Collaborative Efforts

By
Shivani Joshi
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Combating Terrorism in the Indo-Pacific: A Call for Collaborative Efforts

As geopolitical tensions and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region rise, joint actions are necessary for resolving the significant problems. One key obstacle to counter-terrorism initiatives is a lack of coordination among participating nations as a result of each country’s unique approach to combating terrorism. Information sharing is also constrained, complicating matters further, with charges against China backing terrorist organizations in Pakistan and other parts of the world, thus limiting collaborations.

Challenges in Improving Regional Cooperation in Counterterrorism:

  1. Diverse Political Priorities: Varying political priorities and security concerns hinder unified approaches to counterterrorism in the Indo-Pacific region.
  2. Lack of Trust: Historical conflicts, rivalries, and suspicions among countries impede intelligence sharing and collaborative efforts against terrorist groups.
  3. Coordination and Information Sharing: Differences in languages, legal frameworks, and intelligence capabilities pose barriers to effective communication and timely response to terrorist threats.
  4. Resource Constraints: Limited finances, technology, and trained personnel in many countries hinder the development of robust counterterrorism capabilities, impacting regional cooperation.
  5. Transnational Nature of Terrorism: Differing legal systems, extradition procedures, and commitment levels impede joint actions against terrorist groups operating across borders.
  6. Political Instability and Governance Challenges: Political instability, weak governance, and corruption create safe havens for terrorists, undermining regional cooperation.
  7. Balancing National Interests: Each country prioritizes its own national security interests, potentially overshadowing collective counterterrorism efforts.

Addressing these challenges requires diplomacy, trust-building, capacity-building, and a shared understanding of the importance of regional cooperation in countering terrorism.

ALSO READ: Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Conference Announces Stellar Lineup of Sponsors

How can we strengthen counter-terrorism efforts in the Indo-Pacific region?

  1. Intelligence sharing: Prompt and effective sharing of intelligence among regional states is crucial for countering terrorism.Specialized training for law enforcement:
  2. Invest in specialized training to improve the efficiency of law enforcement in responding rapidly to terrorism incidents.
  3. Training for armed forces: Provide specialized training for armed forces in intelligence analysis, crisis response, and counter-terrorism tactics.
  4. Strengthen collaboration: Enhance collaboration among governments in the Indo-Pacific region through capacity-building projects and joint exercises.
  5. Regional security: Prioritize regional security by strengthening partnerships and alliances, and engaging with international organizations for coordinated counter-terrorism efforts.

By implementing these measures, regional states can enhance their counter-terrorism capabilities and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to terrorist threats effectively. The comprehensive approach of intelligence sharing, specialized training, and collaborative efforts will contribute to safeguarding the Indo-Pacific region from terrorist activities.

Dive deeper into the complexities of counter-terrorism efforts in the Indo-Pacific region during the dedicated session at Vivanta in Dwarka, New Delhi on June 7 as part of the Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Conference. Esteemed experts, policymakers, and stakeholders will come together to discuss viable solutions by sharing their experiences, insights, and best practices. The ultimate goal? To enhance collaboration and coordination in combating terrorism while making sure everyone in the region feels safer.

ALSO READ: Space Infrastructure and GeoInt Strategy for Indo-Pacific Region

Geospatial Industry Estimated to be $512 billion: GeoBuiz 2023 Report

By
News Desk
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Geospatial Industry Estimated to be $512 billion: GeoBuiz 2023 Report

Geospatial Industry is estimated to be $512 billion, with a market cap of $1.7 trillion, and a direct socio-economic impact of $7.5 trillion in 2023.

Geospatial World is proud to announce the release of the fifth edition of its annual GeoBuiz report – GeoBuiz 23: Global Geospatial Industry Market Size, Forecast, and Growth Trends.  The 2023 edition presents a comprehensive evaluation and evidence of the geospatial market and economy, globally, and across fifteen selected countries. The report presents a comprehensive analysis of the geospatial market size and forecast of geospatial-sub technology segments, regions, and sectors. The report presents the geospatial market for fifteen countries – three priority sectors and their geospatial adoption landscape.

Key highlights include:

  • The global geospatial market forecast for 2030 revised to USD 1.37 trillion from an earlier estimation of USD 1.44 trillion
  • Defense and Intelligence, Location-based services, and infrastructure to be the largest geospatial market
  • USD 202.5 billion worth of investments (including IPO and SPAC) in the geospatial (including space) industry
  • Digital twin, transition to enterprise solutions, public policy reforms, and the evolving role of national geospatial organizations to drive geospatial market growth
  • North America’s geospatial information and technology market is forecasted to be almost USD 194.86 billion in 2025
  • United States of America’s geospatial market to be USD 90 billion; United Kingdom’s geospatial market to be USD 7.8 billion; and Germany’s geospatial market to be USD 6.9 billion in 2023
  • Developing economies – Indonesia, and Vietnam – show huge geospatial market potential across Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Mining, Energy, and Agriculture sectors.
  • India, Australia, and New Zealand – the fastest-growing geospatial markets in 2023 and up to 2025.

“The geospatial industry has traditionally existed in a strange dichotomy. However, today the geospatial industry is redefined by the explosive demand for geospatial data and insights, altering the traditional role of geospatial data providers (including national geospatial agencies) and creating new business opportunities. This dramatic increase in data acquisition rates is fundamentally changing the economics of data capture and data maintenance – challenging traditional business practices. Increasing automation and managed services in change detection and predictive analytics, city-based decision support systems (3D and mobile), technology for mapping sub-surface infrastructure, digital twins, etc., are expected to drive the geospatial transition more profoundly than before,” says Ms. Ananya Narain, Vice President – GW Consulting, Geospatial World.

“In the above context, Geospatial World’s GeoBuiz 23 report – estimates the geospatial market to be USD 512 billion in 2023, with a geospatial economy (market capitalization) of USD 1.7 trillion and direct economic impact of USD 7.5 trillion – a BIG Opportunity for everyone in the ecosystem!” Ananya adds.

The GeoBuiz 23 report has been developed after a comprehensive exercise of interaction with 500+ geospatial industry leaders and practitioners along with collecting an almost equal number of quality survey responses by key decision-makers from across the global geospatial ecosystem.

Download the ToC and the Research Methodology

The report will provide industry leaders with a detailed understanding of the following aspects:

  • (Re)Defining the geospatial industry
  • Current global market size and forecast from 2018- 2025 by technology, sub-technology, application, and region
  • Technology and business trends driving innovation and public policy reforms
  • Mergers & acquisition and partnership trends evolving in the geospatial industry
  • First-ever funding and investment trends within the geospatial industry ecosystem
  • Geospatial Industry Map 2023 to help understand the geospatial technology ecosystem better
  • Innovation to Impact Matrix 2023 which highlights the relative position of the major market competitors within the geospatial space
  • Geospatial User Map 2023 across 15 focussed countries – profiling the current usage of geospatial, frontier, and infrastructure analytics and modeling technologies across public and private sector organizations
  • Comprehensive analysis of geospatial adoption, and market for 15 focussed countries – namely USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, United Kingdom, Germany, Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway), and the Netherlands.

Get the complete report – GeoBuiz 23: Global Geospatial Industry Market Size, Forecast, and Growth Trends.

About GeoBuiz Report:

The Geobuiz 23 report in its fifth edition will provide an in-depth analysis of the global geospatial industry market size and forecast – regionally and sectorally; whilst bringing forth the macro and micro-economic and technology indicators that will drive the market. The report will deep-dive into the geospatial market (industry and three economic sectors) of various countries providing governments and businesses with demonstrable evidence of the geospatial market and economy of their country. The country-specific sections are aimed at unlocking national geospatial capabilities which will set out key implications, suggestions, and ambitions to spearhead the shared vision of increasing the adaptability of geospatial information and technology.

About GW Consulting:

GW Consulting, the market research and consulting division of Geospatial World, is a trusted market intelligence disseminator with over 10 years in research and consulting in the geospatial and allied technology domain.

With advanced analysis of rich data and analysis that crosses industries and geographies, we provide impactful insights to leaders in the commercial, public, and social sectors to develop and facilitate more profound knowledge and understanding of geospatial technologies and their contribution to the world economy and society.

Interested in buying the GeoBuiz Report 2023? Book your copy now!

Contact:

Mr. Prodipto Ghosh

Associate Director- Marketing and Sales, GW Consulting

A-145, Sector 63, Noida,

Uttar Pradesh 201309, India

Phone no: 0120 461 2500

Email: [email protected]

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Google Funds Project to Create 3D Thermal Model of German City

By
Jeffy Jacob
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Google Funds Project to Create 3D Thermal Model of German City

The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Action Fund 2.0, announced the launch of two groundbreaking projects in Dortmund, Germany. With grant funds from Google, the initiatives aim to utilize innovative techniques and data-driven approaches to bolster the city’s resilience to extreme heat and enhance energy efficiency in buildings and urban Environments Improving Urban Climate Resilience.

Recognizing the risks posed by rising temperatures to human health, well-being, and the usability of public spaces, the project will leverage a state-of-the-art bio-meteorological sensor network and develop a now-casting service for monitoring thermal comfort throughout the city.

By providing real-time information, the project will guide on-ground actions and services for smarter urban climate planning.

This pioneering approach aims to integrate thermal comfort data within Dortmund’s smart city ecosystem, enabling tailored data-driven services that meet the municipality’s needs and improve the well-being of its citizens.

Professor Benjamin Bechtel, Head of the Bochum Urban Climate Lab, expressed his excitement about the collaboration,  “Adapting cities to climate change is one of the most critical challenges for humanity in the coming decades. We are excited to work with a pioneering city in both climate adaptation and smart city solutions to jointly develop data-driven tools and services that can help both the administration and the citizens cope with extreme heat.”

Mapping Urban Heat Stress and Energy Efficiency

The Climate Adaptation through Thermographic Campaign and Heat Mapping (CATCH4D) project, led by the Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development (ILS), aims to create a comprehensive 3D thermal model of Dortmund.

Leveraging advanced laser scanning, thermographic, and Earth observation techniques, the project will evaluate building energy efficiency and urban heat stress.

By incorporating Google Earth Engine data and socio-economic information, the CATCH4D project aims to identify areas with energy-poor households and residents vulnerable to heat stress. The resulting data analytics will contribute to the implementation of sustainable and climate-oriented initiatives in Dortmund.

Moreover, the project aims to directly benefit local citizens by providing support to energy-poor households through legal advice and funding for housing modernization. Additionally, green and blue infrastructures will be installed to mitigate heat stress in the identified areas.

Dr. Shaojuan Xu, principal investigator of the project, emphasized the objective of making energy efficiency and climate resilience tangible and accessible.

“The 3D heat map will visually represent energy efficiency in an intuitive manner, facilitating faster decision-making. The project’s data analytics will also be made available to stakeholders, promoting sustainable development,” said Dr. Xu.

Collaboration for Successful Climate Goals

Thomas Westphal, Dortmund Mayor, expressed his enthusiasm for the selection of two projects from Dortmund and highlighted the significance of collaboration between science, the municipality, and citizens in achieving successful climate goals. “The projects use innovative techniques to collect and merge current climate data with existing data. This process ensures that targeted measures for climate impact adaptation and energy consulting can be developed. The municipality supports the teams in the analysis and will consolidate the results in the city’s actions,” Mayor Westphal stated.

Unparalled Target Monitoring for Energy and Defence

By
Nibedita Mohanta
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0
Unparalled Target Monitoring for Energy and Defence
Dan Katz, CEO & Co-Founder, Orbital Sidekick

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Orbital Sidekick (OSK) is among global leaders in providing space-based hyperspectral intelligence. Recently, it launched GHOSt (Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite) to monitor global oil & gas pipeline assets, and mineral exploration initiatives. The company’s SIGMA intelligence platform aims to enhance the sector’s ability to meet compliance and regulatory obligations while supporting environmental sustainability pursuits and a low carbon future.

OSK has also secured government contracts to supply hyperspectral data to the Unites States Department of Defence through its partnerships with In-Q-Tel, the Air Force, and Space Force.

“Our unique radiometric speciation and change detection capability will enable unparalleled target monitoring services for both commercial and defence users on a global scale”, says Dan Katz, CEO & Co-Founder, Orbital Sidekick, in an interaction with Geospatial World.

Tell us about your recent launch?

The successful launch of GHOSt 1 and 2 marks the initial deployment of our GHOSt constellation, which will consist of six equivalent hyperspectral imaging microsatellites, each featuring a proprietary hyperspectral imager unique to OSK. We will deploy four more GHOSt satellites this year aboard the Transporter 8 and Transporter 9 rideshare missions.

The primary application of the intelligence gained from these satellites will be for the energy sector, specifically oil and gas pipeline assets, but we are also planning for use-cases around carbon offset verification, applications in the mining and agriculture sector, as environmental monitoring.

All of the data gleaned from the GHOSt satellites will be turned into actionable insights by OSK’s flagship product SIGMA, or Spectral Intelligence Global Monitoring Application.

For the energy sector, SIGMA leverages advanced hyperspectral data and OSK’s proprietary analytics engine to detect leaks, contaminations and other intrusive events that jeopardize global energy systems.

Companies can subsequently use these insights to minimize emissions, exceed regulatory requirements, and reduce their carbon footprints.

ALSO READ: Orbital Sidekick Successfully Launches First Satellites in GHOSt Constellation

Who are your major partners and customers?

Our current customers include major energy companies Williams, ONEOK, Energy Transfer, and Colonial Pipeline Co. (CPC). We’re also a partner of the intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program (iPIPE) which supports emerging technologies for improved pipeline integrity and leak detection.

In January, we also announced a $10 million investment round from strategic investors led by Energy Innovation Capital with contributions from Williams and ONEOK, the University of Minnesota’s Endowment, 11.2 Capital, Syndicate 708, and In-Q-Tel. This funding is supporting the development and deployment of the GHOSt Constellation, as well as further commercialization of OSK’s asset monitoring solution.

OSK is currently focusing on the energy sector but has also secured government contracts to supply hyperspectral data to the United States Department of Defense through its partnerships with In-Q-Tel, the Air Force, and Space Force. Most recently, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) selected OSK for its latest focus area study of commercial space-based hyperspectral imaging (HSI) capabilities, deepening our relationship with the defense and intelligence communities.

What were the challenges faced during or before the launch of GHOSt constellation?

One of the main challenges faced was designing, manufacturing, and integrating our HSI payload. Since OSK is the first commercial company to deploy this type of payload in space, one of the biggest hurdles was meeting requirements, as well as designing and integrating the optical train (telescope, spectrometer, and camera) along with the software to operate it.

What is OSK’s vision?

Orbital Sidekick’s vision is to build the most robust remote sensing and analytics capability in existence. OSK’s proprietary analytics platform and hyperspectral payload architecture will provide persistent space-based monitoring solutions powered by Spectral Intelligence. This unique radiometric speciation and change detection capability will enable unparalleled target monitoring services for both commercial and defense users on a global scale.

DataMesh to Use Snapdragon Spaces for Digital Twins

By
News Desk
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DataMesh to Use Snapdragon Spaces for Digital Twins

DataMesh is utilizing the Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform to bring its innovative digital twin and XR applications, such as DataMesh Director, to a wider range of AR glasses, including the Lenovo ThinkReality A3.

This effort is aimed at making digital twins more accessible to frontline workers and creators in North America and beyond, addressing workflow challenges in training, planning, and everyday operations.

DataMesh is showcasing its FactVerse applications such as DataMesh Director, DataMesh Inspector, and DataMesh Checklist at AWE USA 2023 from May 31 to June 2 at Booth S13 in the Startup Zone of Hall B.

The enterprise metaverse platform FactVerse aims to empower everyday operations and drive enterprise motivation with a focus on Training, Experience, Monitor and Control, and Simulation (TEMS) scenarios to accelerate digital transformation, providing a plug-and-play experience for frontline employees.

DataMesh Director is an enterprise-level digital twin content creation and collaboration platform that supports HoloLens, iOS, Android and PC platforms.

DataMesh is now applying its user-friendly digital twin applications to a variety of smart AR glasses, supporting the industrial sectors to effortlessly manage training, guidance, and operational planning in the industrial sectors with low 3D and programming knowledge required.

“We are excited to work with Snapdragon Spaces on our journey of democratizing digital twin technologies and contribute together to the application of XR in the industrial world,” says Jie Li, Founder and CEO of DataMesh. “This is great news to the industry. Both content creators and frontline workers can benefit from the redefined experience of operations, manufacturing, and productivity.”

“Ultimately, our goal is to make digital twins and XR more accessible so that everyone can leverage them to improve their capabilities and efficiency, especially the 2 billion industrial workers worldwide. At DataMesh, we’re working towards it by building an enterprise metaverse platform FactVerse,” says Jie Li.

Nationwide US Carrier Selects NextNav to Provide Precision Location

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News Desk
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Nationwide US Carrier Selects NextNav to Provide Precision Location

NextNav has been selected by a nationwide U.S. carrier to deliver vertical location capabilities for Enhanced 911 via its Pinnacle service.

The agreement will enable precise z-axis data – which is increasingly critical for emergency service operations – for 911 calls made on the carrier’s entire device portfolio, expanding the availability of life-saving technology across the United States and meeting FCC z-axis / E911 requirements. The first devices on the network utilizing the z-axis capabilities are expected to be released later this year.

In recent years, multiple wireless operators, device OEM’s and other key businesses in the communications industry have continued to select NextNav Pinnacle to provide z-axis capabilities to enhance caller geolocation and emergency response outcomes – including a tier-one carrier that recently launched several devices in the past few months.

NextNav Pinnacle leads the geolocation industry in providing precise, highly secure vertical location data – in independent tests conducted by CTIA to measure z-axis capabilities, Pinnacle delivered 94 percent “floor-level” accuracy, a level unrivaled by any other available technology.

Traditional two-dimensional GPS services do not provide precise floor level altitude, which can lead to delays in time-sensitive emergency situations. Using Pinnacle, dispatchers will be able to more precisely locate 911 callers by adding the vertical dimension or ‘altitude’ alongside their horizontal location of latitude and longitude, in turn saving first responders crucial time to find those in need.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a requirement for all wireless providers to provide a z-axis location for 911 calls to ensure dispatchers and responders are best equipped to meet emergency needs. Following the integration of Pinnacle, networks are able to meet or exceed the FCC requirements at all levels, with vertical location capabilities operational well ahead of required deadlines.

“We are pleased to see more operators recognize the precision and reliability of NextNav Pinnacle’s z-axis capability, and adopt the capability across their device base,” said Ganesh Pattabiraman, Co-Founder and CEO of NextNav. “The public safety community has continually called for expanding these capabilities of vertical location services for 911 calls, and we are proud to expand our work with carriers to address these needs.”

The Pinnacle network delivers precise vertical location in 4,400 cities and towns – covering over 90% of buildings greater than three stories – in the United States. NextNav Pinnacle powers applications across the public safety community to support stronger situational awareness for first responders.

Westinghouse and Astrobotic sign MoU to Power Outer Space

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News Desk
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Westinghouse and Astrobotic sign MoU to Power Outer Space

Westinghouse and Astrobotic sign MoU to Power Outer Space

Westinghouse Electric Company and Astrobotic announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration on space technology programs for NASA and the Department of Defense.

The collaboration will focus on the development of space nuclear technology and delivery systems. The joint effort will also include strengthening the space nuclear supply chain and workforce in the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia region.

Last year, Westinghouse was awarded a NASA/DOE contract to provide an initial design concept for a fission lunar surface power system.

Westinghouse is developing a scaled-down version of the 5-MWe eVinci™ microreactor to power spacecraft in orbit or for deployment on the surface of planetary bodies such as the Moon or Mars, providing continuous power for space research and other applications. The inherent simplicity of the eVinci technology supports these critical space missions by providing a reliable, resilient, low-mass power generation system that can be operated autonomously. The technology is ideal for electricity generation for the lunar surface, satellites and electric propulsion.

Astrobotic is in designing and deploying lunar landers and rovers, and is now developing LunaGrid, a commercial power service designed for the lunar south pole.

“Westinghouse is excited to partner with Astrobotic on delivering the next wave of innovative nuclear technology that is vital to advancing space exploration and supporting national defense missions,” said David Durham, Westinghouse President for Energy Systems.

“Astrobotic and Westinghouse have deep roots in Pittsburgh, and we are excited to leverage both companies’ capabilities to pioneer the future of space power technologies and services,” said John Thornton, Astrobotic CEO.

The eVinci Microreactor builds on decades of Westinghouse innovation to bring carbon-free, safe, and scalable energy wherever it is needed for a variety of applications, including electricity and heating for remote communities, universities, mining operations, industrial centers, data centers, and defense facilities, and soon the lunar surface and beyond. The versatility of the eVinci microreactor technology allows for power systems ranging from several kilowatts to 5 megawatts of electricity, delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for eight-plus years without refueling. The technology is 100 percent factory built and assembled before it is shipped in a container to any location.

Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Conference Announces Stellar Lineup of Sponsors

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News Desk
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Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Conference Announces Stellar Lineup of Sponsors

The Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Conference, the premier gathering for geospatial intelligence professionals and officials from military services, intelligence, public safety as well as governments, is thrilled to announce an impressive line-up of sponsors for its upcoming event. Taking place from 6-7 June in the vibrant city of Delhi, this conference promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for networking, knowledge exchange, and cutting-edge discussions on how technology can transform the security and geopolitics of the region.

The Indo-Pacific GeoIntelligence Conference has gathered support from a prestigious lineup of sponsors, demonstrating the recognition and significance of this event in the geospatial intelligence industry. These leading organizations have committed their resources to ensure an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

Our sponsors include ESRI as the strategic sponsor, Hawkeye 360 as the gold sponsor, Blacksky as the silver sponsor, Maxar as the bronze sponsor, and Galaxeye and Kaleideo as co-sponsors. Additionally, AWS has joined as the cloud partner. Their generous contributions enrich the conference experience and enable us to deliver an event of exceptional quality.

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, the Indo-Pacific Geointelligence Conference has attracted leading organizations in the geospatial intelligence industry. These sponsors recognize the significance of this event in advancing the field of geointelligence and have committed their resources to make this conference an unforgettable experience.

Their contribution further enriches the conference experience and enables us to deliver an event of exceptional quality.

“We are thrilled to have such an exceptional lineup of sponsors for the Indo-Pacific Geointelligence Conference. Their support and commitment to advancing the field of geospatial intelligence will undoubtedly make this conference a resounding success. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to collaborating with them to create an unforgettable event.” Said Anamika Das, Vice President, Product Development

The Conference provides a unique platform for professionals from diverse backgrounds to explore the latest trends, developments, and applications in geospatial intelligence. Attendees can expect an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities that foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.

About the Indo-Pacific Geointelligence Conference: The Indo-Pacific Geointelligence Conference brings together geospatial intelligence professionals, experts, and enthusiasts from across the globe. The conference aims to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in the field of geospatial intelligence.

Lumotive Partners with Hokuyo for 3D Lidar Sensing

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News Desk
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Lumotive Partners with Hokuyo for 3D Lidar Sensing

Lumotive and Hokuyo Automatic have revealed a multi-year production contract. This partnership will expedite the deployment of essential sensor technology in robotics and autonomous systems applications.

Utilizing Lumotive’s advanced truly solid-state beam steering chip, Hokuyo is preparing to produce a revolutionary 3D lidar sensor based on Lumotive’s M30 reference design targeted for industrial applications.

This trailblazing new product is expected to surpass conventional mechanical lidar and time-of-flight camera technology, fostering progress in Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), and other industrial applications. In addition, as part of this partnership, Hokuyo is using Lumotive’s top-tier manufacturing partners and engineering expertise to bring their advanced sensing products to market faster.

Hokuyo Automatic is a global leader in manufacturing industrial automation sensors, including lidar sensors, which are used for robotics, material handling, and other industrial automation applications.

Hokuyo Automatic chose Lumotive’s LCM technology for its digital beam-steering capabilities, which enable the company to produce 3D sensing solutions that are more accurate, reliable, and cost-effective than current offerings.

Lumotive’s patented technology, based on well-established semiconductor manufacturing technology, delivers the world’s first solid-state metasurface beam steering chips ready for mass production.

Lumotive’s LCM chips enable unprecedented miniaturization, lower costs, and higher reliability compared to existing scanning lidar solutions. These advantages offer significant benefits across a wide range of applications in key industries including consumer electronics, industrial automation, and autonomous vehicles.

Lumotive-enabled solid-state 3D lidar sensors bring revolutionary advantages to real-world industrial automation. The large field of view and extended range in a compact form allows for seamless integration into diverse machinery, from robotics to conveyor systems. Its superior outdoor performance ensures reliable operations, even in expansive outdoor industrial sites or warehouses with challenging lighting conditions.

The software-defined scan modes enable customization to specific tasks, such as precise object tracking on production lines or efficient navigation for AMRs. The system’s ability to minimize interference and multipath effects results in better point cloud quality, which is crucial for accurate sensing in complex industrial environments.

“We are impressed with Lumotive’s LCM optical semiconductor technology and believe that it will be a game-changer for the industrial automation market,” said Hokuyo’s President, Hitoshi Ozaki.

“Lumotive’s product delivers a new level of miniaturization, performance and reliability, which will enable us to expand our business with innovative 3D sensing solutions that could not be realized with conventional lidar scanning technology. We look forward to working with Lumotive to bring these solutions to market.”

“Securing a design win of this stature is a notable accomplishment, and we are eager to move forward with Hokuyo Automatic in incorporating our LCM technology into our first industrial automation application,” said Dr. Sam Heidari, CEO of Lumotive. “Hokuyo Automatic’s expertise in industrial automation and sensor technology makes them an ideal partner to accelerate the adoption of our ground-breaking LCM semiconductor technology. This production supply agreement marks an important milestone for Lumotive, as we bring advanced 3D sensing solutions to the robotics and autonomous systems markets.”

Spirent announces SimXona, a Xona Satellite constellation simulator

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Spirent announces SimXona, a Xona Satellite constellation simulator

Spirent Communications, a global provider of test and assurance solutions, announced SimXona, an industry-first Xona satellite constellation simulator, fully certified by Xona Space Systems.

Xona is developing PULSAR, a commercial positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service built on a backbone of low Earth orbit (LEO) small satellites. Xona’s patented high-powered smallsat signals will improve PNT resilience and accuracy by augmenting global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), such as GPS while operating with an independent navigation and timing system architecture.

Spirent will launch SimXona at the ION Joint Navigation Conference, June 12-15, 2023, in San Diego, California.

“Xona launched the first-ever dedicated LEO PNT satellite into orbit in May 2022, allowing our next-gen technology to be utilized, but live-sky testing is only available for a few minutes per day,” explained Bryan Chan, Xona Co-founder & VP of Business Development.

“Since the full constellation takes time to deploy, Spirent signal simulators are vital for developers and integrators. Spirent has been a valued partner as they have prioritized providing a trusted test solution for OEMs who want to integrate Xona signals now. Spirent’s flexible software-defined architecture enabled a quick and robust implementation, and we were impressed by the results of our certification.”

“Spirent’s dedication to innovation is underscored by our partnership with Xona. With Xona’s formative advancements in LEO PNT in the commercial sphere, and ongoing GPS modernization efforts, it’s an exciting time for those of us whose core mission is to optimize and secure PNT,” stated Rob VanBrunt, President/CEO of Spirent Federal.

“The options for layered PNT solutions are growing—along with the need for interference and NAVWAR testing—and Spirent’s purpose-built equipment is meeting these expanding requirements through unrivalled performance and interoperability. Deterministic simulation unique to Spirent solutions ensures fidelity is never compromised and test results are accurate.”

SimXona can simulate the Xona LEO constellation today—on its own, and in concert with Spirent’s comprehensive PNT and threat simulation capabilities. Spirent has developed LEO simulation solutions for both the military and commercial sectors, including modelling software that combines the simulation of precise LEO orbits and highly accurate GNSS signals, delivering greater realism for applications that have no margin for error.

Pixxel Raises $36 Million Funding From Google and Others

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Pixxel Raises $36 Million Funding From Google and Others

Pixxel Raises $36 Million in Series B Funding

Pixxel, India’s first company to launch private commercial satellites in space announced $36 Million in a Series B funding round with participation from new investors such as Google, along with existing investors Radical Ventures, Lightspeed, Blume Ventures, GrowX, Sparta and Athera.

The new funds will advance Pixxel’s mission to build the highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation, delivering actionable climate insights on a planetary scale. It will also help further the development of Aurora: Pixxel’s AI-powered analytics platform to make hyperspectral analysis accessible for everyone.

Data from Pixxel’s satellites will be critical in helping global organisations closely monitor emissions, water pollution, gas leaks, oil spills, soil composition, forest biodiversity and crop health in unprecedented detail and at faster speeds.

Additionally, the new funds will bolster Pixxel’s plans to launch 6 satellites in 2024 and 18 other satellites by 2025.

“At Pixxel, we believe that the future of our planet lies in our ability to monitor and protect its health precisely. With this round of funding, we are even closer now to realizing our mission of building a health monitor for the planet, and empowering people around the world to make informed decisions about our collective well-being,” said Awais Ahmed, co-founder and CEO of Pixxel. “We’re incredibly grateful to our world-class investors for their unwavering support and belief in our vision and are excited to work together to create a meaningful positive impact on the future of our planet.”

Pixxel’s hyperspectral satellites can capture images at hundreds of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum and reveal key data about the health of the planet. Both the hyperspectral constellation and advanced data analytics platform will provide up to 10x more information compared to today’s multispectral satellites in space and increase the spectral resolution available by 50x.

As the need for better ESG data monitoring and measurement becomes critical, Pixxel’s capabilities will help organisations comply with national and global sustainability standards.

Pixxel has seen a landmark year of growth in 2022, launching three pathfinder missions into orbit and growing its customer base by 5x. Recently, the company announced a 5-year contract with the NRO Commercial Systems Program Office (CSPO) for the Strategic Commercial Enhancements for Commercial Hyperspectral Capabilities program.

Pixxel’s venture funding now totals $71 Million, propelling it to the highest-funded space tech startup in India. New investors join existing backers like Lightspeed, Radical Ventures, Accenture Ventures, Relativity’s Jordan Noone, Seraphim Capital, Ryan Johnson, Blume Ventures, Sparta LLC, growX Ventures, Athera Venture Partners, Omnivore VC among others.