Seen & Heard: Sky show, seal solution

December 15, 2020  - By

“Seen & Heard” is a monthly feature of GPS World magazine, traveling the world to capture interesting and unusual news stories involving the GNSS/PNT industry.


The 10-minute-long drone show included a flying dove with a wingspan of 600 meters, visible from three kilometers away. (Photo: u-blox)

The 10-minute-long drone show included a flying dove with a wingspan of 600 meters, visible from three kilometers away. (Photo: u-blox)

A swarm of bird

A massive swarm of drones created a 10-minute show over Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Sept. 3. The 2,198 miniature UAVs danced for 10 minutes, forming images such as a dove with a wingspan of 600 meters, visible from three kilometers away. Geoscan built and programmed the drones, which use u-blox positioning modules.


Photo: Danielrao/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Photo: Danielrao/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Not bogged down

Mobile GIS Services (MGISS) is helping the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) deploy rugged handhelds to capture highly accurate survey measurements with cloud-based data storage and GIS software. Trust projects include restoring the largest, continuous blanket bog system in England. Blanket bog has been damaged by excessive burning, overgrazing, man-made drainage and extreme weather events. The YWT is using Spectra SP20 handheld GNSS receivers.


Photo: Genni Brookshire/Ceto Marine Research

Photo: Genni Brookshire/Ceto Marine Research

Drones to the rescue

Seals and sea turtles face threats from humans, such as fishing nets. Marine biologist Genni Brookshire, Ceto Marine Research, and David Thirtyacre, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, are researching how drones can improve animal rescue, with help from Skyward, a Verizon Company. Her team is using drones to find and help distressed marine animals. “Using a drone before we respond to an animal to determine the animal’s condition — if it’s entangled, its body condition, if it’s sick — allows us to bring the proper equipment,” Brookshire said. “Using a drone allows us to reduce the stress on the animal, and increase our efficiency in responding to their unique situation.”


Photo: dzphotovideo/E+/Getty Images

Photo: dzphotovideo/E+/Getty Images

Flight mysteries tracked

GNSS tech in a smart altimeter is guiding paragliders, skydivers, wingsuit pilots and other free-flying athletes. Dekunu Technologies’ One SmartAlti body-worn altimeter offers altitude and position information similar to what pilots obtain in their cockpits, increasing safety throughout freefall. Along with a multi-constellation u-blox chip, the device includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB. A cloud service incorporates 3D visualizations of the user’s jump data.

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About the Author: Tracy Cozzens

Senior Editor Tracy Cozzens joined GPS World magazine in 2006. She also is editor of GPS World’s newsletters and the sister website Geospatial Solutions. She has worked in government, for non-profits, and in corporate communications, editing a variety of publications for audiences ranging from federal government contractors to teachers.