LBS

Indoor mapping goes mainstream with IMDFaaS

IMDFaaS is a full service Indoor Mapping Data Format (IMDF) development platform that delivers precise IMDF archives. Its proprietary technology and development expertise make acquiring high quality IMDF archives fast, simple and affordable for any sized venue or facility. IMDFaaS’s open-format, high quality IMDF archives are guaranteed to comply with Apple validation requirements for the enablement of Apple Indoor Positioning (IPS), streamlining time to value and integration with iOS applications. IPS leverages an IMDF archive to enable accurate indoor location awareness on any iPhone or iPad with no need for additional hardware infrastructure. www.imdfaas.com

HERE spearheads private mapping

HERE Technologies has announced the introduction of a unique mapping-as-aservice offering. It is targeted at enterprises wanting to create differentiation and reduce operational costs through building, maintaining, and using unique map datasets for advanced analytics and services. The offering is enabled by advanced platform functionality coupled with industry-leading map creation, processing and delivery capabilities.

Progressively through 2021, the aim is to enable enterprises to bring their own map data onto the HERE location platform and use it in combination with HERE map data and services which will increasingly be available as a self-serve experience. Enterprises will have the option to do this autonomously or can co-develop with the HERE professional services team, who provide a wide portfolio of globally scalable mappingrelated services. http://360.here.com

XPeng unveils beta version navigation guided pilot function

XPeng Inc., a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle (“Smart EV”) company, recently unveiled the beta version of its NGP (Navigation Guided Pilot) highway autonomous driving solution. The Company plans to launch the widely anticipated NGP function, a key part of its XPILOT 3.0 autonomous driving package, to customers in China in the next few weeks.

XPeng’s NGP highway navigation function conducts automatic navigation assisted driving from point A to B based on the navigation route set by the driver. Upon its launch, it will be implemented on the Premium version of the XPeng P7 with the XPILOT 3.0 system.

XPeng’s NGP solution has been specifically created and tailored for China’s complex driving environment. Its full-scenario high-definition positioning capability solves HD-map positioning challenges for China’s highly complex road conditions, including areas with no GPS signals. https://en.xiaopeng.com

Upgraded capabilities for satellite IoT Tracking

Iridium Communications Inc. has announced commercial availability of the Iridium Edge Solar – a secure, maintenance-free, solar-powered remote asset tracking and management device. With over-the-air configuration capabilities, the Iridium Edge Solar is ideal for Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), fisheries management, tracking of freight shipping containers, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications, monitoring of oil and gas pipelines and heavy equipment telematics data reporting.

The Iridium Edge Solar beta trials, which are nearing completion, are thoroughly testing its real-time, twoway communication, over-the-air configuration ability, built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity and secure, ruggedized packaging. The addition of BLE technology enables development of customized deployable sensor systems that can be positioned on machinery, vehicles, vessels or across worksites. www.iridium.com

AWS announces Amazon Location Service

Amazon Location Service is a fully managed service that helps developers easily add location data to their applications without sacrificing data security and user privacy. The service is now in preview. With Amazon Location, you can build a wide range of location-enabled applications for use cases such as asset tracking, geomarketing, and delivery management.

Amazon Location Service provides cost-effective maps, points of interest, geocoding, geofences, and tracking for applications, using high-quality data from trusted global providers Esri and HERE. At general availability, the service will also provide routing capabilities.

You can get started in the Amazon Location Service console with the visual, interactive design tool to explore geolocation functions. Then, you can start building quickly with the service’s SDK and sample code, and combine them with open source libraries such as Mapbox GL. https://aws.amazon.com

Cruise and GM team up with Microsoft

Cruise and General Motors have announced that they have entered a longterm strategic relationship with Microsoft to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. The companies will bring together their software and hardware engineering excellence, cloud computing capabilities, manufacturing know-how and partner ecosystem to transform transportation to create a safer, cleaner, and more accessible world for everyone.

Cruise will leverage Azure, Microsoft’s cloud and edge computing platform, to commercialize its unique autonomous vehicle solutions at scale. Microsoft, as Cruise’s preferred cloud provider, will also tap into Cruise’s deep industry expertise to enhance its customer-driven product innovation and serve transportation companies across the globe through continued investment in Azure.