Category Archives: Spatial IT/GIS

NavVis VLX: A New Take on Mobile Mapping

The NavVis VLX, the first-of-its-kind wearable mapping system designed for hands-free reality capture, including survey-grade point clouds, was introduced in May and is already having an impact in the field. The VLX captures high-quality data in even the most complex built environments. The unprecedented data quality delivered by a compact, versatile device sets a new...

Biking to capture street imagery in the Galapagos. © Chris Beddow

Galapagos in 360 Degrees

“Like cinders… infernal… leafless…” Charles Darwin wrote those words in his diary on September 16, 1835, after setting foot for the first time on the Galapagos. Darwin, whose scientific work in the far-flung archipelago considerably changed our understanding of how life on Earth evolves, was a keen observer of nature. And on that day, while...

The Citation photogrammetry jet approaches Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America at 18,491 feet above sea level, on a photogrammetry mission.

Citation (Jet) Needed: A Start-Up Takes Off

A wealthy investor on the other end of the line said, “Juan, I understand you are photogrammetrist and a pilot. Are you ready for a challenge? I bought six Citation jets in a government auction, and I want you to help me turn them into a modern aerial photography platform.” For those of us who...

Highlights of the Esri UC 2020 – Day One

This is the 40th annual Esri UC (user conference), the first being held in Redlands California, the home of Esri’s HQ, with only 15 users. But it rapidly expanded in subsequent years, moving to the San Diego Convention Center where it has been held for many years. Now in 2020, the UC has gone virtual—with...

Mark Contino, vice president of North American retail distribution at Topcon Positioning Systems (left) and Ken Shersty, director of hardware sales for TSS, in a small museum of survey gear in The Solutions Store Kent, Washington, location.

Topcon Solutions Store Leads the Way in Gearing Up

Moves to modernize surveying, engineering, and construction were already well under way—recent events have simply accelerated the process. Many, such as Topcon’s Solutions Store, have used the recent slowdown to adopt new models for workflows, collaboration, distributorships, training, and support to be ready to meet future demand. As the pause button is being released, and...