GeoTIFF SWG is planning on minor and major revisions to the popular standard used for sharing geographic image data

21 January 2021: The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) seeks public comment on the draft updated charter for the GeoTIFF Standard Working Group (SWG), which introduces several new tasks for the SWG. Comments are due by February 11, 2021^[1].

The Geographic Tagged Image File Format (GeoTIFF) specification, as an extension to the public domain TIFF format, has been used for sharing geographic image data successfully for years across many platforms and software environments. GeoTIFF defines a set of TIFF tags that describe the "cartographic" information associated with TIFF imagery originating from satellite imaging systems, scanned aerial photography, scanned maps, digital elevation models, or as a result of geographic analyses. 

The initial scope of the GeoTIFF SWG was to incorporate the GeoTIFF specification into the OGC standards suite by updating the specification to bring it into conformance with current OGC practices. The resulting Standard, GeoTIFF v1.1 was adopted as an OGC Community Standard in 2019^[2]. The original scope of the GeoTIFF also specified that the SWG would:...

CHESEAUX-SUR-LAUSANNE, Switzerland, 21 January 2021 – Ohio-based energy provider, Dayton Power & Light (DP&L), in partnership with Sinclair College’s National UAS Training and Certification Center, is employing a fleet of senseFly eBee X fixed-wing drones to improve its large-scale data collection and mapping capacity. Over a nine-month period, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) will be used to inspect 4,000 miles of power transmission lines, supporting electricity delivery for the 1.25 million residents of the Dayton, Ohio region.

Under the collaboration, DP&L and Sinclair will employ four senseFly eBee X drones to gain visual insights that will help address the diverse challenges facing the energy industry, when conducting equipment inspections – such as vegetation encroachment near power lines or damage caused by storms that can lead to electricity delivery disruptions. The resulting high-resolution imagery will be used to build accurate assessments of affected areas through the generation of maps, digital elevation models (DEM) and other products. The technology will also aid in day-to-day essential maintenance, creating long-term efficiencies and streamlining energy management.

To support its team in deploying and integrating the eBee X drones and to generate quality and accurate data, DP&L is also partnering with Sinclair College to spearhead the drone...

• Carl Smit to lead DroneUp’s drone delivery portfolio
• DroneUp names Chief Strategy Officer to oversee corporate development

Virginia Beach, Virginia, January 19, 2021 – DroneUp^[1] announced today that Carl Smit had been named Chief Strategy Officer. Smit will advise the CEO Tom Walker and the senior leadership team to set DroneUp’s strategic direction, focusing on growing the company's retail drone delivery portfolio and capabilities. Reporting to Walker, Smit will also oversee corporate development initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures.

"Carl brings an exceptional combination of business acumen and strategic insights to the Chief Strategy Officer role," Walker said. "His experience in global retail, product development, and innovation will be invaluable as we continue our record growth. I look forward to Carl’s counsel and having him as part of our senior leadership team as we continue our leadership position in the retail drone delivery market."

Smit has extensive experience. He began his career as a U.S. Navy SEAL, and out of the military, Smit quickly transitioned into retail, where he spent nearly a decade at Apple. Smit negotiated the first iPod, and the iPhone retail accessory line launched Apple Retail in China and managed its global retail iPhone business. Smit left Apple shortly after Steve Job’s death to help...

Recharter of Features API SWG adds new work items for the group to continue the evolution of this important building block for location.

Contact: Email Contact^[1] 

15 January 2021: The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) seeks public comment on the proposed updated charter for the Features API Standards Working Group (SWG). Comments are due by February 5, 2021.

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) seeks public comment on the proposed updated charter for the Features API Standards Working Group (SWG). Comments are due by February 5, 2021.

The purpose of the Features API SWG is to: develop new and maintain existing parts of the OGC API - Features^[2] multipart standard; develop corrigenda for the related WFS 2.0^[3] and FES 2.0^[4] standards; and review draft Engineering Reports^[5] from the OGC Innovation Program^[6] related to OGC API - Features.

The recharter adds the following new work items to the SWG:...

• Property selection - the ability to specify which feature properties should be presented in a response document.
• Geometry simplification - the ability to specify a resolution so that geometries

A  seminal milestone in the drone industry, American Robotics now meets the safety requirements needed to make drones scalable for widespread commercial use.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. & WASHINGTON — (BUSINESS WIRE) — January 15, 2021 — American Robotics^[1], a leading developer of fully-automated commercial drone systems, today became the first company approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate automated drones without human operators on-site. The company’s Scout System™ features advanced acoustic Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) technology that enables its drones to maintain a safe distance from other aircraft at all times. By developing a layered, redundant system of safety that includes proprietary technical and operational risk mitigations, American Robotics has proven that its drone-based aerial intelligence platform operates safely in the National Airspace System (NAS), even when it conducts flights Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) of the operator.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210115005587/en/^[2]

CHESEAUX-SUR-LAUSANNE, Switzerland, 12^thJanuary 2021 – senseFly, the global leader in fixed-wing drones, today unveils the launch of its new e-learning platform and dedicated Certified senseFly Operator Program, developed to equip unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators with the knowledge and skills required to carry out drone missions more accurately, safely and efficiently.

Through the unique, easy-to-use senseFly Academy platform, operators in all verticals – from surveying and GIS to agriculture and construction – can access a wide range of courses and modules as part of a self-paced training program. Shaped by senseFly experts, the modules are based on a deep understanding of operator needs and pain points and have been developed to help senseFly users overcome both common and sector-specific challenges. The platform guides users through the essential steps of drone mapping and usage, in addition to offering more in-depth insights into managing project workflows and in-field and in-flight troubleshooting.

Users of senseFly Academy can also register for the Certified senseFly Operator Program that helps operators to upskill and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of drone technology and processes. The online course is divided into six comprehensive modules and aims to equip users with proof of the necessary skills and knowledge required for flying mapping drones...