Ordnance Survey Demonstrates BIM Potential with Pioneering Project in Singapore

By combining building information modelling (BIM) with geospatial technologies, Ordnance Survey (OS) is breaking down barriers in Singapore. OS has spent two years in the Southeast-Asian nation championing the use of BIM data and its potential to transform urban planning. Britain’s mapping agency lent its expertise to a project with the University of Singapore and the Singaporean government that aims to make Singapore a world leader in smart technology. OS’s role was to develop data processing and 3D data modelling to help Singapore plan its future city more effectively. It contributed knowledge about the CityGML data model, an exchange compatible with... (read more)

2019-11-06 10:46:45

New Topcon Robotic Total Station System Enhances Survey Workflow Performance

Topcon Positioning Group has announced that new flagship GT Series robotic total stations are available for survey, construction and machine control applications. The GT-1200 and GT-600 total stations have been released in multiple accuracy levels. The new total stations are part of a full workflow solution, including a new field computer, a full-version update to Topcon field and office software, as well as GNSS receivers. The system is designed to work in sync for improved performance and better data handling with built-in, field-to-office connectivity. More survey points in less time The speed, tracking and accuracy of the GT Series, combined... (read more)

2020-10-15 11:00:42

Paracosm Partners up with Geo-Plus to Expand Land Survey Offering

Paracosm has announced a partnership with Geo-Plus to offer the VisionLiDAR point cloud processing software in a bundle with the PX-80 handheld scanner. Joining forces means both companies now offer an end-to-end 3D mapping workflow for a variety of applications. “We are delighted to offer this software to our PX-80 customers” says Amir Rubin, Paracosm president. “The versatile VisionLiDAR works as a standard point cloud processing tool – a critical need in many workflows – but also includes comprehensive functionality for specific applications like topography generation, city assets extraction, and tree extraction. It allows us to offer a truly complete... (read more)

2020-02-21 09:19:16

The Evolution of the Smart Surveyor

5 Trends Affecting Surveying, Bringing about the Next-generation Surveyor

Surveyors are a versatile and flexible bunch. As the current COVID-19 situation has proven, this group, like others, has had to find new ways of operating. Even this article is an adjustment. Originally planned as a presentation, Sensor Fusion for the Smart Surveyor, for the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week 2020, adapting to a new platform for information sharing is becoming the new normal. In FIG Commission 5 – Positioning and Measurement and FIG Commission 6 – Engineering Surveys, the focus is an ever-evolving adoption of new technologies and integrating methods with various instruments and sensors to help... (read more)

2020-05-08 02:17:02

Drone Roof Surveys and Aerial Inspections

Roof surveys and building inspections using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or 'drones') have become a more efficient data collection process for many building and construction projects, compared to traditional ground-based methods. Major cost savings and speed of collection are the main reasons why an increasing number of companies are using drone mapping software. Drone Photography Services, based in Cornwall, UK, uses various DJI drones with zoom cameras and the latest software to deliver efficient, high-quality surveying and mapping data. Drones are not practical in all surveying applications, but the company has recently done surveys of a church roof and structure... (read more)

2019-11-19 10:23:13

The Role of Surveyors in the Evolution of BIM

Building information modelling (BIM) is becoming more commonplace within construction sectors globally, combining technology with improved collaboration to better manage projects and give them the best chance of complying with time and budget constraints. However, the BIM life cycle and efforts to espouse it are almost futile if surveying is taken out of the equation or, more realistically, brought in too late. It can be good to have a structure that is successfully using BIM to be delivered on time and within budget, but if it or any of its components are in the wrong position the consequences can be... (read more)

2019-09-09 10:25:08

Tell the World: We Are More than Scan-to-BIM

Opportunities in digital twins, smart buildings, smart infrastructures and smart cities require more than just BIM as data. To benefit from this growing market, the surveying and spatial industry must provide advocacy, leadership and education in BIM. Building information modelling (BIM) will be a growing opportunity for the surveying and spatial industry, providing we focus more on adding value to BIM and concentrate on what we can offer to other industries thanks to BIM rather than merely preparing it. Opportunities in digital twins, smart buildings, smart infrastructures and smart cities require more than just BIM as data. The surveying and... (read more)

2019-08-22 10:03:30

Taking Full Advantage of the Benefits of UAS Technology

Leveraging UAS technology across surveying and engineering sectors is demanding. Meeting the expectations of accuracy and accountability requires the best in expertise, methodology and equipment. The latest unmanned aerial system (UAS) photogrammetric hardware and software now enables surveyors to capture millions of survey measurements on the ground, where they would previously have measured only hundreds. It is essential to have the best-quality equipment, software and workflows to ensure this data is accurate, robust and defensible for professional use. Geosyntec is a leading consulting and engineering firm that works with private and public sector clients to address new ventures and complex... (read more)

2019-06-25 10:58:53

How Digitalization in the Construction Industry Drives the Geospatial Business Forward

In a recent survey among geospatial surveyors, the growth in construction, infrastructure and urban planning is revealed as an important role of the optimistic outlook for the geospatial industry. Increasing investments in large infrastructure and construction projects, and the rise of building information modelling (BIM), are expected to bring bright prospects both for geospatial equipment manufacturers as geospatial service providers. The survey was conducted by 'GIM International', the leading publication for mapping and surveying professionals worldwide. In the GIM International study, a relatively high number of surveying companies mentioned the AEC and infrastructure markets as areas where they foresee the biggest possibilities... (read more)

2020-02-26 01:18:08

Leighton Davies

Leighton Davies, Regional Business Manager for Geopositioning at Topcon Positioning GroupWith over 22 years’ experience at Topcon, Leighton has built up a wealth of expertise in geospatial and surveying technologies. He joined the Topcon team in Great Britain in 1997, specialising in selling robotic total stations, and in 2010 he made the transition to the EMEA team, becoming survey products sales manager. He is now the regional business manager for northern and western Europe and South Africa. (read more)

2019-12-11 03:02:52