GIS

FARO PointSense for Autodesk Revit software

FARO Technologies has released newly designed PointSense for Autodesk’s Revit® building design software. It introduces functionality to improve the evaluation and conversion of point cloud data to Building Information Modeling (BIM). The latest software release accelerates and simplifies the analysis and design of laser scan data directly in Autodesk Revit®. www.faro.com/india

3D mapping of New Delhi in preparation for smart city planning

The New Delhi Municipal Council has approved a project to start 3-D mapping as a precursor to planning for their smart city initiative. The work will include the mapping of buildings, streets, trees and water and sewer lines. The agency will hire a private firm to conduct the project. Smart maps, an $8 bn opportunity for India! Smart maps and dynamic mapping technologies will be critical tools for the development of India’s smart cities project. It can help India gain upwards of $8 billion in savings and value, save 13,000 lives, and reduce one million metric tonnes of carbon emissions a year, in cities alone. According to a study, Smart Maps for Smart Cities: India’s $8 billion+ Opportunity by Dalberg Global Development Advisors and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), smart maps can facilitate the development of smart cities in little ways that add up to huge economic benefits for citizens, businesses, and government. www.business-standard.com

OGC calls for participation in major sensor IoT Interoperability Pilot Project

The Open Geospatial Consortium has issued a Request for Quotations/Call for Participation (RFQ/CFP) in the OGC Incident Management Information Sharing Internet of Things Pilot Project (IMIS IoT Pilot). Participants in the IMIS IoT Pilot will prototype and demonstrate standards-based approaches to a series of challenges that hinder effective use of large numbers of diverse sensors for use in emergency response and disaster response situations. OGC pilot projects apply and test OGC standards in real world applications using Standards Based Commercial Off-The-Shelf (SCOTS) products that implement OGC standards and other related standards. Organizations selected to participate in the IMIS IoT Pilot will develop solutions based on the sponsors’ use cases, requirements and scenarios, which are described in detail in the RFQ/CFP.

Jack and Laura Dangermond, founders of Esri, felicitated

The National Audubon Society has awarded two of the nation’s most prestigious environmental honors: the Audubon Medal and the Dan W. Lufkin Prize for Environmental Leadership. Jack and Laura Dangermond, founders of Esri, were awarded the prestigious Audubon Medal, recognizing them for their outstanding achievements in the field of technology and conservation innovation, and support for research institutions, schools, and non-profit organizations. Source: National Audubon Society press release. https://medium.com/

New Mining Cadastre System in South Sudan

The Minister of Petroleum and Mining in South Sudan recently launched South Sudan’s new Mining Cadastre System. The project included the implementation of FlexiCadastre to meet the requirements of the Mining Act of 2012 and the Mining Regulations of 2015 as well as the launch of a view only map portal. The map portal is now available at portals.fl exicadastre.com/southsudan/.

Adoption of National Mapping Policy in Nigeria

The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has urged the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to institute a government that would operate a deliberate policy of involving professional associations to promote sustainable development. Omo Akhigbe who said NIS as a mouthpiece of surveyor’s in the country was expectant of a Buhari government that would promote massive investment in surveying and mapping to confront the various challenges facing the nation. AllAfrica.com

‘Vulnerability Mapping’ to help farmers in India

To keep a check on farmer suicides in several districts of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled a project for “vulnerability mapping” of agriculturists in the worsthit Yavatmal and Osmanabad districts. It will enable targeted intervention by 10 departments to mitigate their sufferings. http://www.ndtv.com