IMAGING

4 Earth Intelligence launches satellite land use mapping service

Earth observation company 4 Earth Intelligence (4EI) has launched a new land cover mapping service based on advanced machine learning. Created from satellite imagery the 4EI service can automatically provide large area base maps together with regular updates of land cover change. Offering a better understanding of changing landscape and vegetation patterns the 4EI Land Cover data also provides insight into the interaction between human activity and nature including improved understanding of the importance of green infrastructure – essential ingredients for solving urban and climatic challenges. In order to produce Satellite Derived Land Cover data 4EI can consider individual satellite images or mosaics of images that are close in date. Before classification different indexes, for example normalized difference vegetation index and soil-adjusted vegetation index are automatically calculated and stacked up along with the spectral bands from the satellite images. This is then processed using machine learnt algorithms before post classification quality control is undertaken.

The 4EI schema used to classify land use is adapted from the Coordination of Information on the Environment programme. Originally initiated by the European Commission and latterly administrated by the European Environment Agency the CORINE land cover project defines 44 classifications of land cover and presents results as a cartographic product. www.4earthintelligence.com

Pointfuse laser scanning software innovates construction workflows

U.S. construction company Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc. has greatly improved construction sequencing and significantly reduced project schedules following the introduction of Pointfuse laser scanning software into its scanning and VDC workflows. Pointfuse creates manageable, intelligent mesh models that automatically classify building features, aid in clash detection, and other construction processes – all in small, portable files that can be up to 100 times smaller than the original point cloud. This level of product integration provides for a seamless union of technologies resulting in considerable project cost savings. http://pointfuse.com

China launches new remote sensing satellites

China successfully sent a group of new remote sensing satellites into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. Belonging to the Yaogan-30 family, this group of satellites was launched by a Long March-2C carrier rocket at 11:43 am (Beijing Time). The satellites have entered the planned orbits and will be used for electromagnetic environment detection and related technological tests. http://global.chinadaily.com.

Defence Ministry of India simplifies aerial photography rules

New paperless system developed by Defence Ministry came into force from March 1 and hopes to cut down delays, bringing in efficiency. Obtaining defence and regulatory permissions for aerial photography or remote sensing surveys has become simpler, with the government launching a web portal for quicker permissions and transparency.

Aerial surveys are being regularly proposed by various government agencies, autonomous bodies for developmental projects and also by private agencies or individuals for private purposes. As per the existing procedure, applications for grant of No Objection Certificate (NoC) for aerial photography/ surveys received by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are forwarded to various stakeholders of Single Point Clearance Committee (SPCC) under the MoD for their recommendations. Bases on the inputs of the authorities concerned, the Ministry decides upon grant/refusal of NoC.

The aerial survey is a geomatics method of collecting information by using aerial photography, LiDAR (using laser lighting) or from remote sensing imagery using other bands of the electromagnetic spectrum such as infrared, gamma or ultraviolet. www.thehindu.com