Posted on Fri, Feb 04, 2011
Last week GPS World presented a webinar entitled "Targeting Enterprise GIS: The Data-Capture Value Chain". Led by Rob Lorimer (contributing editor for Professional OEM) and ably assisted by Eric Gakstatter (contributing editor for Survey and Geospatial Solutions) the webinar covered a range of very relevant aspects of GPS-based data-capture for Enterprise GIS.
ikeGPS was specifically mentioned as a uniquely suitable device for data capture, combining GPS, camera, compass, inclinometer and rangefinder.
Very interactive, the webinar included four live surveys for the participants. Of particular interest for us here at Surveylab was the chart (shown in the webinar) listing the devices typically used in data capture. The results show that while GPS is the core device, more people are using complementary technologies in their data capture processes. Almost 15% of those surveyed now rely upon a solution that includes an inclinometer (such as ikeGPS). And with more than 60% saying a camera is part of their solution, I can see how geo-tagged images are fast becoming the standard.
Great webinar, Rob & Eric!
Image courtesy of GPS World.
Please join us for our upcoming webinar "Improving Productivity With Integrated Remote Data Capture" on February 10 at 2PM EST.
Learn how the ikeGPS captures remote GPS locations, provides digital image verification and integrates a laser range finder, digital camera, GPS and digital compass in a single handheld device that provides mobile geospatial solutions that:
- Increase field productivity
- Create new measurement techniques for the GIS team
- Integrate the GIS database with the ever changing real world
- Enable innovative new field data capture applications
Posted on Mon, May 04, 2009
Surveylab are pleased to announce Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) have ordered ikeGPS equipment for use in their activities identifying and dealing with landmines and unexploded ordnances. The innovative combination of GPS, camera, rangefinder and compass in ikeGPS make it the first choice for safely and easily mapping suspected mines and UXO by ANAMA field engineers.
ANAMA’s role in Azerbaijan is key to the continued clearance of mines and UXO throughout the areas affected by war. Their ongoing work continues to reduce the number of fatalities and accidents caused by mine explosions, and allow the return of IDPs (Internally displaced persons) to their homes and places of work. ANAMA’s efforts also allow work on rehabilitation and reconstruction for infrastructure in Azerbaijan, and ensure food safety and income generating opportunities.
"ikeGPS provides a robust and easy-to-use tool for our field staff," said ANAMA Director, Mr. Nazim Ismaylov. "With the ability to capture images and positions of UXO and mines as well as mine presence indicators from a safe distance, we expect ikeGPS will be a valuable tool for initial technical survey tasks."
Leon Toorenburg, Surveylab CEO, said "We're proud to be associated with ANAMA and the work they are doing in Azerbaijan to identify and clear UXO and landmines. ikeGPS has a clear role to play in humanitarian demining and we are currently working with other demining organisations to integrate ikeGPS into their systems".
About ANAMA: ANAMA was established July 18, 1998 by the Presidential Decree and is the executing agency of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Programme, the joint project of the Government of Azerbaijan and UNDP. ANAMA is responsible for planning and coordination, management and monitoring of mine action related activities throughout Azerbaijan. The project is designed to create indigenous capacity to undertake survey, mapping and clearance in currently liberated areas and to prepare for dealing with the mine and UXO problem in occupied areas after their liberation. To date, ANAMA has cleared more than 150 minefields and almost 450 battle areas – allowing 174,000 people to return to their homes. More than 300 landmines and almost 300,000 UXO’s have been destroyed.
About Surveylab: Surveylab, based in Wellington, New Zealand and Virginia, USA, develops and manufactures ikeGPS, the world's first integrated GPS/laser/camera device for GIS data capture. ikeGPS enables faster, safer, and more efficient data acquisition through Remote Photo Positioning: multiple targets up to 1000 meters distant can be accurately positioned from a single location, including targets in inaccessible or unsafe locations. ikeGPS produces a geotagged digital image of each target, with crosshairs showing precisely which target was captured and other relevant data superimposed right on the image - providing a new degree of speed, safety and verifiability in GIS data acquisition.
For further information please contact:
Terry Ross, Surveylab
terry.ross@ikegps.com
+64 21 650 540
Posted on Mon, Mar 23, 2009
"..the best GPS device I have ever seen or used..." -Don Jewell, GPS World
GPS Insights - Early September 2008
Basically the ike305 is a commercially built, but militarily rugged handheld data capture and transmitter device that cleverly combines a GPS receiver, laser distance meter, integrated compass and inclinometer, a high definition digital camera. It’s all tightly integrated with the latest HP IPAQ handheld computer.
The ike305: I Like ike
What in the world is an ike GPS 305, you may ask. The ike305, and that’s how I will refer to it in this article for brevity’s sake, defies description in most respects and most naming conventions as well, because there is simply not another commercially produced device out there that performs all of the functions you find tightly integrated in this unique piece of GPS/GIS equipment. So, what to call it? I’ll let you decide after you read the review. Basically the ike305 is a commercially built, but militarily rugged, handheld data capture and transmitter device that cleverly combines a GPS receiver, laser distance meter, integrated compass and inclinometer, and a high-definition digital camera. All that is tightly integrated with the latest HP IPAQ handheld computer running Microsoft's Mobile 5, operating system.
Now take a deep breath and read that again. It is a lot to take in all at once, but the great part is, bottom line up front, the ike305 really works as advertised.
Surveylab, a New Zealand company, which designed and now markets the ike devices worldwide, says it is”… the world’s only integrated GPS data capture device.” Now while I might, and indeed will, take issue with this statement, as I expect others will as well, when you consider all that the ike305 is capable of, the Surveylab folks may indeed not be far from wrong. More on this later.
All of the ike305's various functions, like the laser distance meter, the 3.2 megapixel high resolution digital camera, the GPS, the electronic compass, the HP handheld IPAQ computer, and the inclinometer, all work perfectly well independently and you can certainly isolate them and use them that way. But it is the tightly integrated and seamless integration of all of them, along with some outstanding software, that makes this unit standout as a tool that is desperately needed by our warfighters and other government, municipal, city, and county agencies as well. In addition to our warfighters I can immediately see applications for firefighters, police departments, bomb squads, agricultural inspectors, and GIS departments in general...
Read the full ike305 review from GPS World.
Posted on Wed, May 14, 2008
The NZ Army 2nd Engineer regiment based at Linton Military Camp have upgraded their ike fleet to the latest ike305 hardware version. The 3.2 Megapixel Camera, and will enhance their mission functionality.
The ike305 units will be used to train and develop applications for engineering tasks including humanitarian land mine survey” says Troop Commander, Lieutenant Mike Emery.
Posted on Mon, May 12, 2008
February 21, 2008, Hanover, MD - Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI] and Surveylab USA, Inc. (Surveylab) signed a six-year agreement giving SAIC the exclusive rights to incorporate the Selective Availability and Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) into Surveylab’s ike™ technology platform. The resulting SAIC product, ike 504, adds GPS encryption, anti-jamming, and anti-spoofing capabilities to Surveylab’s ike – a hand-held data capture device that allows an operator to point and shoot at a target from a safe and convenient position to obtain the target’s GPS coordinates.
"Since SAASM technology is controlled under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) by the U.S. Government, working with a U.S.-based company is the only way we [a New Zealand-based company] could bring a SAASM-based ike to market," explains Surveylab CEO, Leon Lammers van Toorenburg, "SAIC's position as a leading technology provider and their extensive knowledge of U.S. Government customers make them a great teammate for Surveylab."
SAIC underwent a year-long research and development effort to make ike 504 production a reality. "The signing of the marketing agreement with Surveylab is a very important step in bringing the ike 504 to market," according to SAIC’s ike Program Manager, Chad Quill.
Please email ike-info@saic.com if you would like more information on SAIC’s ike 504.
Surveylab, based in Wellington, New Zealand and Virginia, USA, develops and manufactures ikeGPS, the world's first integrated GPS/laser/camera device for GIS data capture. ikeGPS enables faster, safer, and more efficient data acquisition through Remote PhotoPositioning: multiple targets up to 1000 meters distant can be accurately positioned from a single location, including targets in inaccessible or unsafe locations. ikeGPS produces a geotagged digital image of each target, with crosshairs showing precisely which target was captured and other relevant data superimposed right on the image - providing a new degree of speed, safety and verifiability in GIS data acquisition.
[ Download in PDF Format ]
Posted on Mon, Mar 05, 2007
Following customer and distributor feedback and an intensive period of product development, Surveylab is delighted to announce the addition of three exciting new models to the already popular ike range.
Building on from the success of the revolutionary ike304 (which will remain fully supported), the ike105, ike205 and ike305 models represent a great leap forward in terms of capability, flexibility and affordability.
ike205 and ike305 devices now boast a 3.0 megapixel digital camera - allowing users to tie captured geospatial data together with a high quality, geo-tagged photograph of the target. ike305 also encapsulates the full benefits of Surveylab's unique integrated laser offset - allowing users to gather accurate GPS data from a position of up to 1000m away. These features make ike305 the ideal solution for military operations and other specialized mapping projects.
ike205 provides many of the benefits of the ike305, at a greatly reduced cost. With a 3.0 megapixel digital camera and a data capture range of up to 300m, ike205 meets the unique demands of infrastructure surveyors, disaster recovery teams; an ideal solution for data capture tasks carried out by state and federal authorities, or for those in the oil and gas industry.
Finally, ike105 provides an entry level solution for those wanting to enjoy the unique capabilities of ike GPS data capture - perfect for applications such as asset management and other routine data capture tasks undertaken by utilities companies and city councils. With a 1.3 mega pixel camera and the ability to capture data from up to 100m away, ike105 provides an affordable remote GPS data capture solution like never before!
These new additions mean that that Surveylab is now able to offer a complete range of tailored GPS data capture solutions, at affordable prices and with greatly enhanced features. Each model allows users to enjoy the unique functionalities of ike - long range data capture capabilities, satellite shadow avoidance and seamless integration - whilst delivering tailored solutions at optimal prices to ensure maximum efficiency.