

Elevating knowledge: read our in-depth features

The Australasian region took a major step towards gaining its first-ever satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) in early 2017. That is when the governments of Australia and New Zealand agreed to f...

Mobile mapping is well past the tipping point and is about to go mainstream. Read this column by Felix Reinshagen to find out why. In his previous column about the future of indoor mobile mapping, Fel...

Lead contractor Tarmac, along with its industry leading road planing business, NRP, racetrack specialist Dromo and project partner Topcon Positioning Group, combined expertise with innovative surveyi...

Satellite-delivered GNSS correction services can be used in many real-time applications where real-time kinematic (RTK) and virtual reference stations (VRS) are not available. In areas without regular...

Satellite surveying… are there any industry professionals out there not using it on (almost) a daily basis? Over the last 30 years, GNSS has become the main positioning instrument for most applicati...

“On Tuesday, 18 July 2019, technical weather is forecast as I get into my car on my way to an important GNSS verification test. Yesterday I received a short e-mail from the local reseller, informing...
In a move that will further broaden Hexagon’s advanced positioning portfolio and reinforce its leadership in precise, resilient navigation technologies, the company has signed an agreement to acquir...
Marking a further step in BDStar Navigation’s expansion into international high-precision positioning markets, subsidiary TruePoint has introduced its TruePoint.CM network real-time kinematic (NRTK)...
Quantum Systems has strengthened its position in AI-driven uncrewed systems by bringing Spleenlab’s VISIONAIRY AI suite and edge-perception expertise directly under its roof in a full acquisition. Q...
Emlid has introduced a new generation of all-band RTK receivers including the Reach RX2, Reach RS4 and Reach RS4 Pro. They are built for surveyors, GIS specialists and construction teams seeking relia...
Topcon Positioning Systems has unveiled a dedicated business structure to advance high-precision technology, software and services for geomatics. The new organization consolidates and expands Topcon's...
Inertial Labs is integrating its industry-recognized IMU-P modules with Javad’s advanced OEM GNSS receivers. This strategic collaboration delivers a next-generation GNSS+INS platform designed to ach...
Positioning, in its essence, represents the meticulous process of accurately determining the spatial location of an object concerning a specific framework or datum. This fundamental concept of positioning plays an indispensable role in the domains of geography and hydrography, persistently guiding the quest to pinpoint the precise locations of the objects and features we seek to measure and understand.
Depending on the specific application at hand, the framework within which positioning occurs can be either of a global or local nature. When thinking on a global scale, the utilization of advanced techniques like Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) comes into play. In this scenario, the framework for positioning is meticulously defined by geodetic coordinate reference systems, ensuring the utmost accuracy in spatial determinations on a planetary scale.
Conversely, in more localized settings, positioning takes on a distinct character, tailored to the unique demands of specific tasks. For instance, in the realms of construction and engineering, the precision of positioning is paramount, and it's achieved through instruments such as the Total Station, allowing for the highly accurate alignment and placement of structures and infrastructure. Meanwhile, indoor navigation is another intriguing facet of local positioning, where the frameworks are often established within the confines of buildings, where technologies like indoor positioning systems enable precise and efficient navigation.
As we delve deeper into the world of positioning, it becomes evident that this art and science of location determination extends its influence far and wide, offering versatile solutions for diverse applications, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to spatial accuracy.