Livermore, Calif. – September 16, 2009 – Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) announced today that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Geospatial Holdings, Inc.
The purpose of the alliance is to jointly market Geospatial’s Smart Probe™ Pipeline Mapping Technologies with Topcon’s IP-S2, 3D aboveground mobile mapping system. With the combined technologies, municipalities, engineers, pipeline operators and utilities are capable of gathering and managing 3D geo-referenced surface features along with 3D underground pipeline data.
Geospatial utilizes proprietary technologies to economically locate and create accurate 3D maps of underground pipelines and conduits.
Topcon’s IP-S2 3D mobile mapping system travels the pipeline or utility corridor aboveground at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. The cost savings over traditional ground-based data collection methodologies is exponential. Safety is greatly improved by removing personnel from vehicular traffic areas.
The IP-S2’s three laser scanners and a digital video camera system capture high-accuracy x,y,z point clouds and 360° spherical imagery. Topcon’s advanced software enables the simultaneous viewing of images and point clouds, enabling the system operator to accurately visualize and assess all terrestrial features along the corridor.
Existing GIS feature and attribute sets can be imported, used to position collected features, and then exported back to the system’s geodatabase.
By combining underground pipe data from Geospatial’s Smart Probes™ with the aboveground mapping from Topcon’s IP-S2 system, operators now have a complete 3D, geospatially-referenced view of all essential information.
Mark Smith, CEO of Geospatial Holdings, said, “The combination of these revolutionary technologies, the GeoUnderground Portal and Topcon’s global distribution and marketing network position this alliance to create a substantial impact on the municipal and energy infrastructure markets worldwide.”
Richard Rybka, Topcon’s IP-S2 product specialist, added, “The strategic alliance between our two companies was created to solve many of the problems that plague underground projects today. Using our technologies, system owners and operators can quickly and cost-effectively acquire the accurate data they need. The result is more efficient operations, safety and precise planning.”
About Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. (TPS) designs and manufactures precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. TPS’ parent company, Topcon Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange – 7732), was founded in 1932. www.topconpositioning.com
About Geospatial Holdings, Inc.
Geospatial Holdings utilizes proprietary 3D sensing technologies to locate, map, perform condition assessment, and detect leaks of underground pipelines. www.geospatialcorporation.com