Posted on Mon, May 20, 2013
ikeGPS won the Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product award at the 2013 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards dinner on Friday May 17, 2013. The event was held at the Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland with over 700 people in attendance. The 12-person judging panel included Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Craig Nevill-Manning, director of engineering for Google, and Cisco's senior vice president, Howard Charney.
Ron Elsis, VP Product Management, accepted the award on behalf of the great team at ikeGPS.
"This is testament to great progress across every function of the company over the past 12 months. At ikeGPS we strive to make beautiful revolutionary measurement solutions for our customers in the utilities and defense sectors. We are beginning to take a clear market leading position with these niche industry-focused solutions and applications. I am enormously proud that our work together has had such a positive impact", said Glenn Milnes, CEO, ikeGPS
The hi-tech industry is an integral part of New Zealand's economy and a key driver of economic growth. It is the third largest export earner in the country, generating over $7 billion in annual revenue, comprises more than 8,800 companies across the electronics, software, telecommunications, creative technology and biotechnology sectors, and employs more than 40,000 people. The hi-tech sector is growing at twice the rate of the NZ economy as a whole.
We enjoy sharing our success with you! Cheers, from the team at ikeGPS!
Posted on Tue, Nov 20, 2012
We’re very proud to announce our strategic partnership with In-Q-Tel, an early partner of other GIS companies such as Keyhole (Google Earth) and SketchUp, in support of solutions for the US intelligence community. This deal followed In-Q-Tel’s global best-of-breed review of technologies that enable measurement and 3D models of remote assets and targets from a mobile platform.
We’ve inserted the full press release below:
ikeGPS and In-Q-Tel Enter Into Strategic Partnership to Develop New Remote Measurement and Modelling Data Capture Solutions
Agreement will promote better remote data capture and measurements
November 20, 2012
ikeGPS, a maker of remote measurement and 3D modelling hardware and software solutions, has announced a strategic partnership and technology development agreement with In-Q-Tel, the non-profit, strategic investment firm that identifies innovative technology solutions to support the missions of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The agreement will further enable the design and development of next generation remote capture and measurement platforms utilizing ikeGPS’ intellectual property.
“We are excited to partner with In-Q-Tel to build next generation of platforms for the U.S. Intelligence Community.” said ikeGPS CEO Glenn Milnes. “This partnership is a significant validation of expectations for our solutions’ ability to provide remote measurement capability from proven products.”
“ikeGPS’ heritage stems from the U.S. military, and we’ve also broken new ground in commercial markets, giving utilities and energy companies a fast and powerful tool for capturing and measuring assets and other difficult things. We are eager to extend this solution set for the intelligence market.” said ikeGPS CEO Glenn Milnes.
“ikeGPS has established itself as a market leader across remote measurement technologies and we are impressed with the unique capabilities they can provide to our customers,” said Robert Ames, Senior Vice President in charge of the Information and Communication Technologies practice at IQT. “Our partnership with ikeGPS will provide our government customers with an opportunity to utilize this innovative product set and build upon its capabilities.”
About ikeGPS
ikeGPS has grown from an idea of a New Zealand engineer surveying radio sites in Kenya to a company delivering mobile geospatial solutions across the globe - quickly becoming a leader in laser-camera-GPS technology and photogrammetry and 3D modelling software solutions.
The ikeGPS team is committed to produce cutting-edge solutions for customers in a wide range of industries. Its technology is used by defense forces, intelligence groups, energy companies, city councils, police, federal authorities and utility companies.
Posted on Tue, Jul 26, 2011
As an ESRI Silver Partner, we are always interested in what they have to say about industries that can benefit from mobile GIS solutions. In an excellent infographic, ESRI identifies four major industries that can benefit today from mobile GIS, Government, Utilities, Environment and Public Safety. Within each industry are six main areas of application – field mapping, asset inventory, asset maintenance, inspections, incident reporting and GIS anaylsis. Here are some of the highlights from ESRI’s graphic and some of the proven areas for ikeGPS mobile GIS solutions-Overview.
Government
Field mapping – recording building footprints, right-of-way mapping
Asset inventory and maintenance – census data collection, housing condition survey, street sign survey, municipal assets inventory
Inspections – code enforcement, housing condition, water rights enforcement
Utilities
Field mapping – centerline review and mapping, facility mapping
Asset inventory and maintenance – storm water inlet inventory, power pole maintenance, new equipment installation
Inspections and incident reporting – Documentation, compliance monitoring, regulatory compliance
Environment
Field mapping – forest boundary mapping, wetlands delineation
Asset inventory and maintenance – vegetation survey, wetland survey, crop management, drainage system management
Inspections and incident reporting – habitat studies, weed abatement, animal migration, oil spill assessment
Public Safety
Field mapping – minefield mapping, military fieldwork and mapping
Asset inventory and maintenance – locating buried infrastructure, facility maintenance survey
Inspections and incident reporting – damage inspection, street sign inspection, property damage assessment
There are many more industries and applications that can benefit from mobile GIS solutions. We are always interested in your ideas. To read more about ikeGPS mobile GIS solutions in action, download our case studies and visit our Industry Solutions section.
Infographic courtesy of ESRI.
Posted on Tue, Mar 29, 2011
Military reconnaissance plays a vital role in the safety and success of all military missions, especially during times of war when armed forces are occupying enemy territories. A former military soldier explains, "as an intelligence tool, mobile GIS is as critical to our survival as standard issue equipment like beans, bullets, and band-aids." Mobile GIS is the ocular foresight in preliminary exploration and GIS data collection to establish strategic positions. Examples of these applications include:
Recording terrain data, hazards, bridges and buildings on GIS field maps - Locating troops, tanks, artillery, traps and mine fields
- Locating and documenting damaged zones or bomb damage assessment
- Landing site/strip identification and assessment
- Guiding troops, armor and aircraft
- Locating and identifying potential targets
- Finding the best routes for troops and materiel
ikeGPS has been deployed by militaries around the world.
The advantages a mobile GIS unit like ikeGPS for the military are:
- Combines a laser rangefinder, a GPS, a digital camera, a compass, and a computer with GIS software in a single handheld device.
- Enables faster, safer, and more efficient field GIS data acquisition through Standoff Photo Positioning: multiple targets up to 1000 meters distant can be positioned from a single location, enabling the operator to remain in a safe and/or concealed location throughout the capture process.
- Produces a geo-tagged digital image of each target location, with crosshairs showing precisely which target was captured and other relevant data superimposed right on the image - providing a new degree of verifiability, speed, and safety in GIS data acquisition.
- Rugged, portable all-in-one system critical for soldiers on foot or light vehicles
- IkeGPS mobile units are equipped with a rechargeable lithium battery, which lasts up to 8 hours, and is replaceable in the field.
To find out more about ikeGPS in the military, click here.
Posted on Fri, Nov 27, 2009
Wellington, New Zealand, November 27, 2009 – Surveylab today announced that its ikeGPS range now supports data collection software for mine action created by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Utilizing the remote capture capability of ikeGPS, field staff working in many areas of the world now affected with mines and other ERW (explosive remnants of war) can complete data collection tasks whilst remaining safely outside suspected hazardous areas. Combining a GPS with rangefinder and compass, and with a completely integrated workflow, ikeGPS lets a user quickly and simply capture remote points from a safe and discreet location.
The data collection software is a component of the larger Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) suite of software tools developed by GICHD for mine action. Based on ESRI’s ArcEngine™ and utilizing a MySQL™ database engine, IMSMA is a powerful information management tool. Following a collaborative development program, IMSMA Mobile, based on ESRI’s ArcPad™, now runs on Surveylab’s versatile ikeGPS data collection device. IMSMA Mobile allows users to take maps and data to the field and complete a variety of mine action field reports. With ikeGPS running IMSMA Mobile, the user can now reliably collect coordinate data from a safe distance to accurately map minefields and other hazards.
Surveylab is pleased to participate in mine action, and to provide technology and expertise to those organizations active in dealing with the threat of landmines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war. ikeGPS presents a unique advantage to the men and women working in the field of mine action, whether they be military, civilian contractors or NGOs: in providing a rugged and reliable tool for users to capture geospatial data from a distance, ikeGPS keeps them safer and away from the suspected hazardous areas.
“Using ikeGPS for humanitarian demining operations is a logical choice – users perform data collection tasks for land release safely and quickly,” commented Leon Toorenburg Surveylab CEO. “Now we have introduced an ikeGPS software solution that adds IMSMA Mobile meaning ikeGPS is integrated into the complete IMSMA system to plan, manage, report and map the results of survey and field data collection.”
About Surveylab: Based in Wellington, New Zealand and McLean, Virginia, Surveylab 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 1,000 meters distant, especially in inaccessible or unsafe locations, can be accurately positioned from a single location. Users such as international NGOs, oil & gas industry, utilities, forestry, military engineers, and public works agencies have been using ikeGPS for years in situations where targets are difficult to reach or safety is a concern. More at www.ikeGPS.com
About IMSMA: IMSMA software, which supports data collection, storage, reporting, and mapping, provides an off-the-shelf GIS, database, and analysis toolset designed specifically for humanitarian mine action projects. The software was developed by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD, www.gichd.org), which provides it at no charge to the national authority set up by a country to manage demining operations. More at www.imsma.org. For more information on the global initiatives for humanitarian demining, please look at the United Nations Mine Action Service website, www.mineaction.org.
Copyright information: ike, “ike knows everything”, the Surveylab satellite logo, Surveylab, and ikeGPS are trademarks of Surveylab Ltd, and are the property of Surveylab Ltd. New Zealand and International Patents Pending. ESRI, ArcEngine, and ArcPad are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners. MySQL is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
Surveylab contact:
Terry Ross
VP Sales, Surveylab
Tel: +64 4 382 8064
terry.ross@ikegps.com
www.ikegps.com
GICHD contact:
Daniel Eriksson
Section Head, Information Management, GICHD
Tel: +41 22 906 16 84
d.eriksson@gichd.org
www.gichd.org and www.imsma.org
Posted on Wed, Sep 09, 2009
Members of the USACE Reachback Operations Center (UROC) team recently took part in Makani Pahili 2009, a Hawaiian-based, interagency exercise that prepares officials and services for a hurricane landfall. During Makani Pahili 2009, UROC presented a number of technologies including Surveylab’s ikeGPS Geospatial Assessment Tool for Engineering Reachback (GATER).
The UROC team were praised for their efforts. “The equipment and training the UROC staff provided us is, and will be, invaluable to our team,” said Maj. Evan Ting, commander of the 565th Engineer Detachment Forward Engineer Support Team (FEST). “The consensus is that the professionalism and expertise provided has made this training event truly worthwhile.”
During the event, UROC members worked closely with the Honolulu District-based 565th FEST to train them to use various tools in the aftermath of a storm or natural disaster, including ikeGPS. The team also provided coordination and logistics for area reconnaissance assets, conducted site assessments on the city and county of Honolulu Board of Water Supply critical infrastructure and assisted with the coordination of products for successful briefing to senior leadership.
“Under the Corps Readiness XXI initiative, it is likely the FEST teams will contribute to disaster response efforts,” said UROC Research Engineer Dr. Jeff Jorgeson. “Emergency planners saw Makani Pahili 2009 as a great opportunity to bring Field Force Engineering technologies to the exercise.”
“The recent training went extremely well and all members of the FEST who were involved received positive feedback after presenting their new capabilities,” Jorgeson said. “We were impressed with the enthusiasm and interest in the UROC capabilities that the FEST members exhibited during the training. They had a great attitude, participated fully in every aspect of the training and took very seriously their role as potential responders.”
UROC (previously known as USACE Engineering Infrastructure and Intelligence Reachback Center or EI2RC) uses ikeGPS in collecting assessment data for various branches of the military worldwide and in hurricane relief efforts in the United States. The Corps has found the device's "standoff" capability, or the ability to collect geographic coordinates at a distance, a key feature while collecting data in potentially hazardous areas and areas ravaged by hurricanes.
Makani Pahili, which means “strong wind” in Hawaiian, simulates a Category 4 hurricane and the damage it would produce, covering both pre- and post landfall activities. Agencies state-wide participate yearly in the scenario that includes 155 mph winds, the death of more than 1,700 people and $160 million in damages and tests disaster plans, communication systems, shelters and response and recovery operations.
Source: US Army Engineer Research and Development Centre, www.erdc.usace.army.mil
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 28, 2008
ikeGPS will be on display at the 412th Engineers 2008 Joint Warfighter Seminar in Vicksburg, MS.
The seminar, which runs from the 6th through the 8th of June, focuses on joint engineering efforts to support U.S. military engineering missions around the globe.
ikeGPS will be there supporting its Army Corps of Engineers customer, as well as demonstrating how it's unique integration provides for safe, fast, and verifiable data application in support of military engineering missions worldwide.
More information about the event can be found at www.412thEngineers.com/Warfighter.htm