14 June 2012 – Leica Geosystems Mining and Locata Corporation are proud to announce the extension of their exclusive technology partnership in the Mine Machine Automation and Mine Fleet Management Market until 30 June 2014. The extension guarantees the ongoing, commercial provision to the global mining industry of the Leica Jigsaw Positioning System (Jps), powered by Locata technology.
The continuance of the technology partnership between Leica Geosystems Mining and Locata Corporation comes on the back of a huge body of work, which has resulted in the first successful operational deployment of the Leica Jps network. The ground-breaking technology at the core of the Leica Jps is a combination of the “Local Constellation” (pioneered by Locata Corporation and adopted by the US Air Force), and Leica Geosystems’ technology portfolio.
The co-developed Leica Jps network is the only high precision (HP) solution in the world that augments standard RTK GPS/GLONASS signals with Locata signals, ensuring no positioning signal loss or machine down-time – even against high walls or in the deepest open pit mines.
“It is with great pleasure that we officially announce our continued alliance with Locata Corporation,” stated Mr Haydn Roberts, CEO, Leica Geosystems Mining. “Through this partnership, the Jigsaw Positioning System (Jps) will continue to meet and exceed industry expectations. In being available to augment any GPS/GNSS network on any site, we are truly providing a new capability for mining applications, enabling them to operate with unprecedented signal up time and benefit from the huge associated financial return. And we know it works – we have the data.”
“Through Jps we offer autonomy from sole reliance on satellite-based positioning networks. In accordance with Leica Geosystems Mining strategy, our technology for machine automation and now HP RTK positioning is completely OEM independent. No longer will machines stop work while waiting for the elusive satellite signal to reconnect. The Jps will seamlessly augment the signals, no matter on what machine, on what system, in what fleet.”
Mr Nunzio Gambale, CEO and co-founder of Locata Corporation, stated, “Locata is truly delighted to extend, for a further two years, the global exclusive rights Leica Geosystems has to integrate and sell our revolutionary technology into the mining market. They deserve this extension. Mr Haydn Roberts (CEO Leica Geosystems Mining) runs a team that is talented, experienced and motivated. They have proven to us many times over that they are some of the finest GPS engineers in the world.”
The success of the combined technologies and continued relationship between both parties ensures the Leica Jigsaw Positioning System will be commercially available to the mining industry globally from August this year.
“This Leica-Locata relationship has blossomed over what is now many years of cooperation, and it is one which we value highly.” said Mr Gambale. “The Locata team is proud to be partnering with such a respected and incredibly innovative company.”
Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
Leica Geosystems Mining is a division of Leica Geosystems Pty Ltd. With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, visualize and present spatial information. Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.
About Locata
Locata Corporation has invented terrestrial positioning networks which function as local ground-based replicas of GPS. There is no other technology that can do this. The company’s LocataNets work alongside satellite-based GPS systems to improve reliability and expand coverage for modern industrial, commercial, government and consumer applications where GPS is erratic, jammed or unavailable. Partnering with global companies like Leica Geosystems, the company is pioneering a new level of centimetre-level accurate positioning – available anywhere – indoors or out. Visit www.locatacorp.com
