WOW Technologies On the Floor of the ESRI User Conference (ESRIUC)
Written by Glenn Letham (gletham)
24 July 2009
There were many WOW technologies on display in the ESRIUC exhibition hall. I can't cover everything, however, the following are a few of the cool technologies and apps that got my attention while walking the floor at the 2009 International ESRI User Conference.
Avenza Systems
Toronto-based Avenza Systems announced Geographic Imager 2.5 for Adobe Photoshop - think geospatial functionality within the Adobe Photoshop environment. Of particular interest in this release is the added support for many of the popular geospatial data formats including: ECW, MrSID, and DEM. Geographic imager enables users to leverage the already powerful Photoshop environment with the addition of technology and tools specific to the needs of the GIS or Geo technology professional, for example:
- Import, edit, and manipulate geospatial images (imagery, aerial photos etc.)
- Import GeoTIFFs
- provision of imaging functionality like crop, transparency, pixel editing and brightness control
- reproject and transform images
- automatic mosaic and tiling
- much more!
Industry-leading GNSS technology provider JAVAD (www.javad.com) was another very visible presence at the ESRI user conference with the company not only having a huge booth but the company was also a Platinum sponsor of the show! Javad delivered what many others have only dreamed about. until now. precision survey grade data collection for ArcPad! Using Javad technology, users are provided with real-time RTK collection in the field and automatic synch (Bluetooth) with ArcGIS server. According to Javad reps, the real selling point of this solution is that Javad is delivering GPS + Glonass + Galileo to customers - if sub-cm data accuracy is of interest to you then you should be thinking "WOW" right about now!
The Javad ArcPad extension enables users to establish a connection to the receiver using USB, Bluetooth, or serial connectivity. Using the extension the end user then has access to a range of functionality including the ability to control the GNSS receiver and also manage the entire surveying/data collection process. See more at www.Javad.com
ENVI EX
At the 2009 ESRI user conference a special PR event was held to officially announce a partnership between ITT Corp. The purpose of this event was to reveal details of an interesting product roll-out (and partnership) that will mean more image analysis within ArcGIS. The partnership is essentially to integrate their respective technologies, bringing more image analysis and image processing to ArcGIS users. According to ITT the real selling point to this solution is the simplicity (I.e. ease of use) and image analysis and processing functionality that his been provided which has been tailed to the GIS professional's needs. We heard from ITT President, Richard Cooke about ENVI EX. The following are some of the features that users can expect to take advantage of:
Drag and drop UI
Portal view - allows people to preview analysis before committing the scene - this is the best feature of the feature extraction tool (was meant for Defense and intel customers initially) Takes the concept of workflows to the next level. Imagine dragging and dropping files from ENVI EX into ArcGIS!
Pan sharpening, classification, analysis and workflows that are targeted at the GIS user.
ENVI EX integrates the feature extraction functionality - comes out of the ENVI FX app
ArcMap composition and print map capabilities is now within the native ENVI environment.. Or export directly into ArcGIS for further analysis and workflows -- a seamless integration.
Some TOP Selling Points of ENVI EX
- Integrated in ArcGIS now
- Shipping end of August 09
- Drag and drop files between ArcGIS and ENVI EX
- Advanced high performance image manipulation
- Change detection feature extraction, classification, orthorectification
- Output to a map or directly to the geodatabase
- Create a map from an ArcGIS map template from ENVI
- Print results using the ArcGIS print dialog
- Bringing image processing results back into ArcGIS
- ENVI EX supports more than 70 file formats (like J2K, GeoTIFF) and imagery from many popular satellite and airborne sensors including panchromatic, hyper spectral, radar, thermal, LiDAR, and more.
A cool, new product announced at the ESRICU came from Seattle-based LizardTech Corp - Lidar compressor - a solution for those needing to be more efficient in working with Large LIDAR datasets. In a nutshell, LizardTech LiDAR Compressor enables you to turn giant point cloud data into efficient MrSID files that retain 100 percent of the raw data at just 25 percent of the file size. With the release of LiDAR Compressor also come a new version of MrSID at Generation 4 (MG4).
The following are some compelling reasons to consider using Lidar Compressor:
Working in the cloud is inherently difficult
People aren't working with their point data many aren't even getting it or asking for it
LIDAR files are big
Hundreds of millions or billions of points
Higher res sensors out there collecting data
Seeing statewide data collection efforts, currently 8 states doing this
LIDAR files are tough to compress
Random data, not a regular grid, compression was "zipping" must be decompressed for use
Most commonly requested feature from users over past couple of years (compressing lidar data)
LIDAR compressor offers the following functionality:
- Easy to use, requires little training
- Compress LAS and ASCII files to MrSID generation 4 - 4:1 lossless virtual lossless at about 10:1
Reduce files by 75%
- selective decoding, no need to decompress the entire file to view one portion
windows UI
- combine multiple point cloud files to individual MG4 mosaic
- Lossy - 10:1 virtually lossless - positional error is less than the sensor that acquired it
Traditionally customers have not even taken delivery of the entire point cloud
- Patent pending technology
- $2995 standalone license
If hardware is your thing then the ArcGIS Data Appliance may have turned your head at the user conference. This "out-of-the-box" solution gets users up and running with terabytes of data right from the get go! Users can access terabytes of preached and prerendered data through the appliance. Multiscale data collections include nationwide and Global imagery, street data, shaded relief and elevation datasets and much more. The company also sells the Data appliance as a server bundle to customers as well, ideal for existing clients who currently don't have ArcGIS Server.
The Archer Longbow Remote Positioning GPS Handheld
If you dig field collection units and cool hardware then the Longbow is for you. Simply put this is an ideal all-in-one field data collection unit combining Archer Field PC, a GPS receiver, 3D compass, digital camera, and get this.. A laser range finder as well! The company tells me that the device sports the following features: rapid data capture, accurate, rugged, simple to use, and safe. The laser range finder is a real score to have bundled in the device and is available in 100 meter, 300, and 1,000 meter versions. After a demo it left me thinking that this is basically a\the Swiss Army knife of GPS/data collection!
The user simply points the Archer Longbow at a target up to a kilometer away, pushes a button, and captures the target's GPS coordinate plus a picture of the target. It then produces a verifiable, geo-tagged digital image with crosshairs and other information superimposed on the image to precisely record which target was recorded.
Users such as the military, oil & gas industry, utilities, forestry, land surveyors and public works agencies have been using Surveylab's ikeGPS technology for years in situations where targets are difficult to reach or safety is a concern. See more at www.junipersys.com
OnPoz
A new product from a company I wasn't familiar with is the GNSS Driver for ArcPad from OnPoz (Quebec, Canada). Without any reconfiguration, ArcPad users can easily integrate the GNSS driver for ArcPad and begin logging real time positions, metadata, and all GNSS observations that are made - ideal for post-processing your data (works on ESRI SHP files). For more information see onpoz.com
Another mobile solution provide exhibiting at ESRIUC was 3-GIS. The company was promoting the Field Express Chamelion solution which is supported by a number of mobile clients including Windows Mobile, XP-Tablet, Windows XP and vista (think mobile data management for utilities). The company was also showing off their popular 3-GIS Buzz for Blackberry. Buzz enables users to access their GIS data in the field using a Blackberry smartphone. Additionally, the user can view, query, and secure data in a remote environment. See more at www.3-gis.com.
Wacom
Wacom was another company on the floor with some cool technology - enter their DTZ-2100 Interactive pen display. This 21" pen driven tablet offers users comfort and accuracy on a large 21" display, ideal for data editing and on-screen data digitizing. In addition to the pen-driven touch UI users can also control functionality via the express keys and touch strips which are fully customizable and provide two-handed control for additional functionality (like pan, zoom, and access to keyboard shortcuts). The DTZ-2100 can easily enhance and work in concert with many of the built-in functionality of ArcGIS software, providing the end-user with the ability to perform common tasks quickly, and repeatedly via pen input directly on the screen. The device is ideally paired up with the ArcSketch extension. See more at www.wacom.com
DigitalGlobe
Another company making loads of noise (and hosting a huge party) was DigitalGlobe. the company's team was all smiles this year as they have come off a huge year seeing the launch of WorldView-1 and now prepping for the launch of worldView-2 in October. WorldView-2 is going to be the first 8-band multi-spectral satellite to be commercially available (if all goes well with the launch). Features of the bird are:
- 46 cm panchromatic at nadir
- 16.4 km swath
Bi-directional scanning
Direct downlink to customer sites
1.1 day revisit at 1 m GSD (or less)
Onboard storage for 2199 gigabits
524 gigabits of data collected per orbit
Orbit of 770 kilometers with a planned mission life of 7.25 years
See more at www.digitalglobe.com
Topcon
While we're on the topic of data collection, the Topcon gang was on the floor and wowing people (well, they wowed me) with their IP-S2 3D Mobile Mapping System. This is a fully integrated positioning and data collection system suitable for land based vehicles. Sporting a high level of accuracy, the system maps the study area in 3 D using several sensors including: a dual frequency GNSS receiver; Inertial measurement unit to provide for vehicle attitude; and connection to the vehicles external wheel encoders. These technologies work together to enable highly accurate collection of 3D data even in the remotest of locations and harshest conditions. See more at www.topconpositioning.com
Trimble
Trimble was on hand (naturally) and promoting their latest offering to the GIS professional needing high, accuracy field data collection - enter the Trimble UtilityCenter Field Inspector. The solution is comprised of two new products: the Trimble UtilityCenter Field Inspector software for handhelds and the Trimble UtilityCenter Maintenance-2 module. In combination with Trimble Mapping and GIS rugged handheld computers with integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, the software offers electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities of all sizes a scalable and easy to deploy field solution for improving asset maintenance inspection operations. The software allows mobile workers to perform a wide variety of maintenance inspection tasks in the field to improve the organization's maintenance programs, enhance system reliability, and improve customer service. See more at http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/18107/2/
Baker / Optech
Keeping with the theme of mobile data collection, we were also impressed with Baker and their partnership with Canadian company, Optech, and their mobile LIDAR applications. The company's Baker Mobile LIDAR provides an effective solution for a number of applications including: corridor mapping, asset inventory, Digital Elevation modeling, change detection, and many other uses. Baker's mobile LIDAR solution is powered by Optech's Lynx Mobile Mapper. See more at www.mbakercorp.com
GeoEye
Finally, given that imagery was a HUGE topic and focus of attention at the ESRIUC, I have to mention the visible presence of GeoEye (and their .5 meter resolution imagery. The team is coming off a big year thanks to the successful launch of GeoEye-1. With applications and services like ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Server, and other web services designed to help geo technology users share imagery and data, the end users are hungry for data, imagery, aerial photography, and other datasets. Since the launch of GeoEye-1 the company has expanded their operations and scored rich contract wins from the likes of the US Government and Google - most recently a $25 mill win from the NGA see http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/17956/2/.
GeoEye has developed an advanced information technology infrastructure for collecting, receiving, processing and distributing imagery information products and processing services to the U.S. Government including the national security community as well as international governments and commercial customers. These products serve applications including defense and intelligence, precision mapping, on-line mapping, infrastructure development, planning and monitoring, and environmental assessment. The company collects tens of millions of square kilometers of imagery per year with its existing satellites and aerial assets, which includes GeoEye-1, the world's highest resolution commercial imaging satellite. Heck, the GeoEye imagery is so amazing, its being used in video games like Hawx... See http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/18133/2/
GeoEye-1 Specifications:
.41 m panchromatic resolution, 1.65 m multi-spectral resolution
15.2 km swath width
Mission life of 10 years
Less than 3 day Revisit time
Orbital altitude 681 km
No doubt next year's ESRI UC will be huge for GeoEye one we're close to seeing imagery in use from GeoEye-2!
This list is far from complete as it seemed that almost every other booth on display on the exhibition hall floor had some kind of WOW technology... perhaps I'll touch on more of them in Part 2 of this piece!
GISuser Feature Articles
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
10 Ways Your Tech Business Can Take Advantage of Twitter - Many companies and individuals are still asking themselves how can I use Twitter in my business? The following is a small sampling of some of the ways that your technology business can use Twitter to your advantage.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
See more 
