GIS

Entry-level hydrographic survey software

EIVA’s new software variant NaviSuite Kuda Core provides advanced hydrographic survey software capabilities at an entry-level price. It is tailored to support hydrographic surveys with a single USV or small survey vessel using multi-beam echosounder (including backscatter), LiDAR and/or camera www.eiva.com

Collaborative project to advance Geo-data science skills

Fugro has joined the University of Houston (UH) and its four partnering universities, UH-Downtown, UH-Victoria, UH-Clear Lake and Sam Houston State University, on a collaborative project to advance Geo-data science skills in the energy sector. The project, “Data Science for the Energy Transition,” is being funded through a 3-year grant with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and will offer undergraduate and master’s students specialized training in statistical and machine learning techniques for subsurface Geo-data. Fugro’s role as an industry partner on the project is to provide UH with real-world Geo-data and guidance on their use for handson training opportunities. www.fugro.com

Developing Australia’s UTM framework

Global UTM services provider OneSky awarded a contract with Airservices Australia (Airservices) to develop a working prototype of a Flight Information Management System (FIMS) for its Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) network. The Airservices tender calls for providers to build out a concept for a FIMS tailored to the needs of the Australian aviation industry. While FIMS can refer to an interface between an Air Traffic Management System and UTM for the transfer of data, the goal is to collaborate with Airservices to create a platform for a wide variety of services: one that will ensure that drones operate safely within regulations and have minimum impact on other aircraft and the communities they fly over, and ensure “efficient, fair, and competitive access to airspace.

Supporting rural broadband mapping across the Canada

Ecopia AI has been awarded a contract by the Government of Canada to provide next-generation mapping data in support of the deployment of highspeed Internet across rural Canada.

With a large percentage of the population working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the critical need for highspeed Internet connectivity across the country has been highlighted – and a deep digital divide has been revealed.

Ecopia will leverage its AI-based mapping systems to mine a variety of geospatial datasets and identify broadband serviceable locations across rural Canada – including many locations in remote and indigenous communities. This data will be used to identify connectivity gaps and accelerate the deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country.

Use of quantum computing in strategic industries

A consortium comprised of seven companies (Amatech, BBVA, DAS Photonics, GMV, Multiverse computing, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech and Repsol), supported by five research centers (BSC, CSIC, DIPC, ICFO and Tecnalia), and one public university (UPV) has launched the CUCO project for research into quantum computing applied to strategic industries in the Spanish economy: energy, finance, space, defense, and logistics.

The CUCO project, subsidized by the CDTI and supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, is the first major quantum computing project at the national and business level with the objective of progressing in the scientific and technological knowledge of quantum computing algorithms by means of publicprivate collaboration between companies, research centers and universities, making it possible to accelerate the implementation of these technologies for their use in the medium term. In addition to identifying a series of relevant usage cases in the Spanish economy in which to conduct proofs of concept to study whether quantum computing could improve the performance of classic computing in responding to business needs and proposing the corresponding metrics. In this context, usage cases will be researched in Earth observation, the fight against climate change and the environment, traceability of information throughout the supply chain, optimization and simulation of complex financial calculations, signals intelligence, etc.

Quantum technologies, and specifically quantum computing, are destined to play a disruptive role due to the impact they will have in many areas, given the massive calculation capacity, which could mark the beginning of a new era in technology. Spain cannot afford to be left behind, and it has the capability to lead in this new race.

Through its research into quantum computing, the CUCO project will also have an impact on improving environmental sustainability, as quantum computing promotes more energyefficient algorithms. www.gmv.com

Solar mapping coverage of over 107 million US buildings

Palmetto have announced that its Mapdwell division has mapped the solar potential and energy load profiles of over 107 million rooftops — approximately 75% of all US buildings equating to 81% of the U.S. population — using its proprietary technology. Acquired by Palmetto in April 2021, Mapdwell also licenses this data via application programming interfaces (APIs) to leading utility companies, such as ConEd, Pepco, BGE and others, to further renewable energy initiatives across the country.