Esri Launches Indoor Positioning System
Says Indoor Positioning Market Will Grow...
Saying that its new indoor positioning software will improve operational efficiency and safety, Esri, has launched ArcGIS IPS—a product that it says will enable organizations to add indoor location services across their facilities and campuses.
Esri says that while smartphone navigation apps have given people personal freedom, that all fades when they have to go into airport, corporate campus, or medical center complex. The company said that indoor positioning systems help find a doctor’s suite or help medics locate an apartment inside a building—something that GPS can’t do.
Indoor Location Market Growing…
Esri, citing a United Nation’s report that indoor square footage will double by 2060, said that indoor positioning systems will spur smart city efficiency and convenience, bundling features for managing facilities and monitoring them for conditions that might affect safety and security. The company said indoor positioning will continue to be critical for first responders and other public safety departments to quickly navigate indoors.
"Indoor positioning systems solve the 'last mile' navigation challenge, bridging the gap between outdoor and indoor worlds," said Jack Dangermond, Esri founder and president, in a statement. "We are pleased to offer this important capability that is another piece in completing holistic mapping systems for organizations that aspire to the digital transformation that geospatial technology provides."
ArcGIS IPS, which can be turned on or opted out from on a mobile device, enables real-time indoor location services through Esri's ArcGIS Indoors mobile application and in custom apps built with ArcGIS Runtime SDKs, the company said. However, to implement the system, Bluetooth beacons, namely iBeacons, have to be installed inside buildings.
Contact: Jo Ann Pruchniewski, Esri, (301) 693-2643, jpruchniewski@esri.com, www.esri.com.
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SPYR’s GeoTraq Embeds Polte Location Technology
SPYR [SPYR] has announced it will embed Polte location technologies into two new GeoTraq NB-IoT/ LTE-M modules: the Tracker-Module GT-TM100 and Sensor-Module GT-SM100. Polte’s C-LoC location solution leverages mobile IoT to eliminate the need for GPS/GNSS radios, the company said.
GeoTraq, which was recently acquired by SPYR and has been working with Polte for more than a year, says its Tracker-Module GT-TM100 is designed for low-cost asset tracking and other location-based applications.
“We believe that the business world has not fully grasped the changes that are occurring in the tracking industry and the advancements that positioning on the LTE radio channel will provide. Historical tracking solutions use GPS, which adds $3–$4 in extra component costs and produces a significant drain on the battery life,” said Pierre Parent, GeoTraq CTO, in a statement. “If your goal is to build a disposable tracking tag for less than $10 to monitor critical materials and packages while they are in the mail, GPS is a non-starter. It’s too bulky, expensive, and probably won’t work indoors.”
While Polte’s location product provides outdoor coverage ranging from rural areas to urban canyons, it can track objects inside vehicles or in shipping containers, the company said. “We see a huge market opportunity for low-cost, battery powered IoT asset trackers across many industry verticals from shipping & transportation to manufacturing to tracking everyday objects,” said Polte CEO Ed Chao, in a statement. “We are at the very beginning of what is possible with Mobile IoT.”
Contact: Tim Matula, SPYR, tmatula@spyr.com, www.spyr.com.
Strava Rolls Out Tour de France Feature
This year’s Tour de France followers can enjoy the journey through Strava’s backstage pass. The company worked with Mapbox on the map style, which was custom made for the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes.
Strava has worked with Mapbox on new features for a trainer app that includes elevation contour lines, trail names and improved route tracking. The Strava mapping systems, tailored to both runners and cyclists, show users whether they will be riding up a hill or on flat terrain.
VinFast Integrates HERE ISA Map To Meet EU Mandate
Vietnam-based automaker VinFast last week announced that it will be integrating the HERE ISA Map into its VF 8 and VF 9 electric sport utility vehicles for European markets. The integration, which is meant to comply with the European Union’s General Safety Regulations on ISA mandate, provides information on speed limits on road signs.
ISA, which is mandatory for all new European vehicles starting this month, is an in-vehicle driver assistance that informs drivers about a road’s speed limit and warns them if they exceeded it. After July 2024, automakers must equip every new vehicle sold in the EU with ISA functionality.
The HERE ISA Map will be available in the VinFast VF 8 and VF 9 electric SUVs in Europe in the second half of this year, the company said.
Contact: Camy Cheng, HERE, 65 9088 4127, camy.cheng@here.com, www.here.com.
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Other Location News:
News tip? Send them to kdennehy@driverlessreport.com. Go to www.locationbusinessnews.com for more news and an archive of stories.
Location Policy:
🤞 FCC Presses Redial on Wireless 911 Location Tech. “Still, for much of the country, the closest cell tower with the strongest signal will route the 911 call and that doesn’t guarantee it will go to the right call center for the fastest help.”
Satellites:
🚀 Ericsson, Qualcomm and Thales To Take 5G Into Space. “The result could effectively mean that a future 5G smartphone could use 5G connectivity anywhere on Earth and provide complete global coverage for wideband data services, including places normally only covered by legacy satellite phone systems with limited data connectivity capabilities.”
🛰 Fourth GLONASS-K Satellite Lifts Off. “GLONASS-K No. 16L is the fourth satellite in the latest upgrade of Russian navigation satellites, designed to replace an older version, known as GLONASS-M, whose production had been discontinued.”
Maps:
👍 Apple Brings Its New-Generation Google Maps Rival to More Users. “This week, it was discovered that the new-generation Apple Maps experience is live in a series of countries, including France, Monaco, and New Zealand.
🚇 Good News for Waze Users as Navigation Now Working in More Tunnels. “By sending a one-way signal to Bluetooth-enabled devices, the Waze beacons make it possible for devices to remain connected even in areas with no GPS signal, such as when driving underground.”
Military:
💰 BAE Systems Delivers Jam-Resistant GPS Receivers to Germany. “The equipment, to be used by the German army, is the Miniature Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver Engine – M-Code (MPE-M).”
Fleet/Asset Tracking:
🚚 Cartrack Seals Coca-Cola Philippines Fleet Deal. “The Johannesburg-headquartered tracking company announced the deal yesterday, saying Cartrack’s mobility cloud platform will ‘deliver real-time actionable insights’ to [Coca-Cola Philippines] in operating its fleet.”
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles:
🤨 Mobileye IPO Set To Be Postponed. “Mobileye’s IPO now seems set to be postponed, with sources at Mobileye saying that the company is ‘waiting for markets to stabilize in the hope that it will already happen this year.’”
☹ Ford, VW-backed Argo AI Lays off 150 Workers, Slows Hiring. “Argo AI, the autonomous vehicle technology startup backed by Ford and Volkswagen, has laid off about 150 people and slowed the pace of hiring”
😦 GM's Cruise Self-Driving Car Crash Injured Multiple People. “As the story goes, the Cruise car turned left in front of the oncoming Prius. Officials from Cruise claim the autonomous vehicle stopped before proceeding with the left turn, and the self-driving car was actually sitting still when the Prius hit it.”
🤨 A Self-driving Car Without GPS and Satnav? “As firms like Alphabet, Tesla, and GM compete to build self-driving vehicles, they face competition from a U.K.-based company that claims to have developed autonomous technology, without the need for GPS, satellite navigation, or other external inputs.”
😮 Waymo Autonomous Vehicle Attacked by an 'Erratic' Pedestrian in Arizona. “It was the latest incident of people in Arizona attacking Waymo vehicles — and occasionally their safety drivers — as the company ramps up its commercial service in the state.”
🥇 Indy Autonomous Challenge To Return To CES 2023 With Boosted Engine Package On All Cars.
👏 Switzerland Moves Ahead With Underground Autonomous Cargo Delivery.
UAVs:
🛩 FAA Grants Approval to Dominion Energy To Use Skydio Drones for Inspections. “[The] FAA has granted Dominion Energy approval to fly Skydio drones to inspect power generation facilities in seven states. The waiver allows individual operators — like plant engineers — to fly drones beyond their line of sight.”
Location Industry Briefs
Send your news releases to kdennehy@driverlessreport.com. Go to www.locationbusinessnews.com for more news and an archive of stories.
Safran Acquires Orolia
After negotiations that began in December 2021, France-based Safran Electronics & Defense has acquired Orolia. Financial details were not disclosed.
Orolia, which manufactures atomic clocks, time servers, simulation and resilience equipment for GNSS signals, employs more than 435 people in Europe and North America. It has revenues of around 100 million euros, the company said.
“The acquisition of Orolia makes Safran one of the only companies with the full complement of PNT technologies, bringing together Orolia’s precise time referencing and Safran Electronics & Defense’s proven inertial navigation solutions,” said CEO Martin Sion, in a statement. “Our shared ambition is to become the world leader in resilient PNT for all conventional and strategic applications.”
Contact: Pascal Debergé, Safran Electronics & Defense, 33 (0) 1 55 60 41 38, pascal.deberge@safrangroup.com, www.safran-group.com.
Astra First Opel Model To Showcase TomTom’s Navigation Solution
Saying it has reached a milestone with automaker Stellantis, TomTom’s [TOM2] full-stack navigation solution will be featured on Opel’s new Astra. The navigation solution, features over-the-air updates for fresh and accurate maps, connected services and new map-based advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features for safety, the company said.
TomTom’s map information and navigation guidance is available across the new Astra’s next-generation Pure Panel digital cockpit screens, the company said. In addition, TomTom’s ADAS Map and electronic horizon solution are integrated in the new Astra’s Intelli-Drive 2.0 assistance system.
Contact: TomTom, www.tomtom.com.
U-blox Rolls Out Antenna Module
Thalwil, Switzerland-based u-blox [UBXN] has announced the SAM-M10Q antenna module. The module, which delivers low-power positioning with reception from four concurrent GNSS constellations, features an integrated antenna.
The SAM-M10Q is tailored for the industrial tracking and telematics, automation and monitoring, and small UAV market. Engineering samples will be available in August 2022, the company said.
Contact: Natacha Seitz, u-blox, 41 76 436 0788, natacha.seitz@u-blox.com, www.u‑blox.com.
NextNav Brings Location Capability to VOS Systems
NextNav [NN] has partnered with VOS Systems to bring vertical location capabilities to its CoRe product line. The capabilities, through NextNav's Pinnacle service, will allow the first connected worker solution to have vertical location capabilities, the company said.
The location services provides VOS Systems' offerings location intelligence in multistory buildings and locations, even in areas without WiFi or internet access like construction sites, the company said.
Contact: NextNav, (855) 631-6541, media@nextnav.com, www.nextnav.com.
Taoglas Signs Canada Partnership With Novotech
Taoglas has entered a Canadian partnership agreement with Novotech, a 4G/5G cellular IoT electronics components distributor and solutions provider, to distribute the company’s antennas, sales and technical support for cellular IoT connectivity solutions. The companies say they will target the country’s carrier partners, system integrators, upfitters, government, OEM, energy and natural resources and utilities. Novotech will integrate Taoglas’ antennas with mobile connectivity networking solutions from Cradlepoint, Sierra Wireless, Teltonika and others, the company said.
Contact: Cheryl Allen, Taoglas, (858) 450-0888, callen@taoglas.com, www.taoglas.com.
NavigateIO Graduates From NEC X Accelerator Program
NEC Laboratories America has announced that NavigateIO is the sixth startup to graduate from the NEC X Corporate Accelerator Program (CAP). NavigateIO is launching a product from an infrastructure-free, real-time localization technology, supported by NEC Labs America.
The product allows first responders to track and monitor their crew during emergencies in GPS-denied areas.
Contact: Ellen Ferguson, NEC Laboratories America, ellen.ferguson@nec-labs.com.
InfiniDome Protects GPS Receiver From Jamming
InfiniDome’s GPSdome was able to protect a u-blox M8N GNSS receiver, widely used by drones and vehicles, from Russian jamming emitted from Syria and directed at the Israel’s Golan Heights, the company said. “By performing multiple tests and measurements along the Israel-Syria border, InfiniDome has shown that the receiver protected by our GPSdome anti-jamming module was able to continuously receive GPS signals during a jamming attack,” the company said.
However, the company also said that an identical GNSS receiver without the GPSdome was jammed, stopping the output of navigation data (NMEA).
Contact: Noa Zilkha, InfiniDome, 972-54-7799569, www.infinidome.com.
Mobileye Launches EyeQ
Mobileye has launched the EyeQ Kit for the Eye@ system-on-chip that powers driver-assistance and autonomous technologies for automakers, the company said. Built with the architecture of the EyeQ6 High and EyeQUltra processors, the SDK allows automakers to use Mobileye's technology, while deploying their own differentiated code and human-machine interface tools on the EyeQ platform, the company said.
Through EyeQ hardware and software, automakers have access to a broad set of Mobileye solutions, including computer vision, REM crowdsourced mapping, and RSS-based driving policy, the company said.
Contact: Justin Hyde, Mobileye, (202) 531-9270, justin.hyde@mobileye.com.
Senet Wins Award at LoRaWAN World Expo
Senet, along with Helium Network, won the Innovation Award at LoRaWAN World Expo held last week in Paris. In 2021, the companies partnered to integrate their networks, broadening access to public LoRaWAN network connectivity for customers deploying IoT applications throughout the United States. Through this integration and Senet’s Extended Coverage services, managed LoRaWAN network services are now available in over 65,000 cities and 180 countries, at key shipping ports, across major logistics corridors and in agricultural areas, the company said.
Contact: James Gerber, for Senet, (508) 233-3391, senet@cracklepr.com, www.senetco.com.
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