GSI and RIT Demonstrate Compact Airborne System for Emergency & Tactical Applications
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
Rochester, NY - Geospatial Systems, Inc. (GSI) and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) recently completed a joint project demonstrating a compact, rapidly-deployable airborne imaging system for Emergency & Tactical applications.
As part of the joint effort, GSI donated a TerraPix sensor controller, along with one of their ruggedized, high-precision KCM digital imaging modules to RIT. GSI and RIT worked on the integration of the imaging system payload, including the geo-positioning device, as well as on the ability to process and compress high volumes of data and stream it over a digital data link. The project was co-funded by GSI, RIT, and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR).
The system was successfully flown over Rochester and resulted in outstanding image quality, resolution, and geo-positioning capabilities. “Our long-standing partnership with GSI continues to demonstrate the value of pairing the talent and expertise of a university with the drive and innovation of industry”, said Dr. Harvey Rhody, Director of the Laboratory for Imaging Algorithms & Systems at RIT.
GSI is commercializing the technology as part of their TerraPix platform product line for airborne survey and mapping. The TerraPix system is designed for use in Homeland Security, Incident Response, Asset Monitoring, and Defense. The TerraPix is already being installed in a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for a US Army urban surveillance program, as well as in a UAV for a US Navy sponsored project.
“Geospatial Systems is pleased to combine our leading-edge technologies and products with the educational resources of RIT to make advances in the airborne imaging market”, said Maxime Elbaz, President and CEO, Geospatial Systems, Inc. “Equipping emergency response teams with the essential tools to provide the highest quality assistance to the community is a project we are very proud to take part in.”
About Geospatial Systems, Inc.:
Geospatial Systems, Inc., a Rochester, NY based company, designs and produces premier airborne georeferenced remote sensing systems for commercial and military applications, including mapping, environmental monitoring, homeland security, reconnaissance and persistent surveillance. For more information about Geospatial Systems, Inc., or its products and services, call 585-427-8310 or contact us online.
About RIT:
Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in computing, engineering, imaging technology, and fine and applied arts, in addition to unparalleled support services for students with hearing loss. Nearly 16,000 full- and part-time students are enrolled in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs at RIT, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. For nearly two decades, U.S. News & World Report has ranked RIT among the nation’s leading comprehensive universities. The Princeton Review features RIT in its 2007 Best 361 Colleges rankings and named the university one of America’s “Most Wired Campuses.” RIT is also featured in Barron’s Best Buys in Education.