Topcon’s GLS-1000 laser scanner uses Voxis technology
Livermore, Calif. – August 29, 2008 – Topcon Corporation of Tokyo has announced the acquisition of Voxis, Inc., a United States-based company acknowledged as a global leader in laser scanner technology and high resolution motion systems.
The acquisition of Voxis of Point Richmond, California, culminates a development relationship with Topcon of more than two years, which resulted in the recent announcement of the company’s GLS-1000 laser scanner.
Topcon developed Precise Scan Technology for the GLS-1000. The new technology not only uses “time of flight” measurement but also combines the innovative phase-based analysis technology, which results in unparalleled stable and precision accuracy measurement. The technological innovation also allows measurement over a wide area (up to 150 meters).
Norio (Nick) Uchida, General Manager of Topcon Corporation’s Positioning Business Unit, said, “The Voxis agreement will strengthen the extremely positive working relationship we have had with the company for the past three years. Jerry Dimsdale (president) and Joe West (vice president of engineering) have assembled a great team of research and development engineers.
“Combining the resources of Voxis with the expertise and experience of Topcon’s global engineering teams will enhance Topcon’s position in the marketplace,” Uchida said.
“The expertise of the Voxis team and its innovative laser scanning technology is a perfect combination for Topcon. Joining forces with Voxis is the right move with the right company at the right time. It’s an agreement that maximizes the strengths of both companies,” he said.
About Voxis joining Topcon, Dimsdale said, “For more than two years our engineers have been working with Topcon to develop an exciting new laser scanner – Topcon’s GLS-1000. The technology developed by our engineers perfectly meshes with Topcon’s goal to provide the best precise positioning systems in the marketplace.
“The working relationship between our engineering team (which has more than 180 years in engineering experience) and the Topcon design teams could not have been better.”
Dimsdale said, “Our company’s focus is in industrial and commercial metrology (measurement) and control in a wide range of applications. We have focused a lot of our efforts into developing and improving laser scanning technology.
“Combining the two companies will only enhance the ability to work together in discovering the next generation of laser scanning and motion sensor technologies,” he said. “There are massive changes coming in what we call ‘reality capture’ and we’re proud and excited to be a part of this technological revolution by assisting in accelerating Topcon’s product line.”
Topcon Corporation is a world leader in three key markets: Precise positioning business (GNSS, machine control systems, laser and surveying instruments in the construction, survey, GIS, mobile control and agriculture markets), eye care (ophthalmic and optometric instruments), and FineTech instruments (semi-conductor inspection equipment, flat panel display equipment, and optical instruments). Topcon follows the “TM-1” philosophy: Time to Market No. 1, which drives the company to continually bring needed, world-leading products to market first. Topcon Corporation is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (7732).
Topcon Positioning Systems, a developer and manufacturer of positioning equipment, offers the world’s leading selection of innovative precision GPS, GIS, laser, agriculture, optical surveying, and machine control products, software, and applications.
Voxis, Inc., founded in 2003, has been an innovator in the design of precision laser scanning and high resolution motion systems. The company’s expertise has been successfully applied to many kinds of precision instrumentation, including precision surveying equipment, fiber optic instrumentation, and similar measurements requiring the best possible position control.
