Pix4D launches two new stand-alone cloud mapping solutions

Touted arlier in 2020, Trimble announced the release of their TDC600, a rugged mobile device designed for the field and powered by Android OS. Touted as a solution that could reduce the number of devices surveyors need in the field, the TDC600 includes its own built-in GNSS packaged in a small form factor. To add on to the robust system, Trimble has updated the latest version of Trimble Access to support the device. The Trimble Access 2020 field software will allow surveyors to gain the ability to use familiar workflows and instruments while remaining in the Android OS platform.

The advantage to the TDC600 is definitely its small, lightweight design, and offers a lower-cost entry for those wanting to use Trimble Access software and workflows. Jason Rossback, marketing director for Trimble Geospatial Field solution says that the combination should broaden the potential users of the device.

“The ability to use the intuitive field software on the Trimble TDC600 Android device will put Trimble Access in the hands of more surveyors and engineers. This solution provides a powerful option for field workers such as road inspectors, who need the full set of survey tools combined with the portability of a mobile device.”

The updated Trimble Access 2020 also comes with some additional features, including a “Snap-to Toolbar” that allows users to select locations on objects in maps by snapping to a specific point, even if a point does not already exist. The addition of a “Limit Box” function allows you to excuse data in a map to view areas more clearly, for example, by removing elements from a yard when you are looking at the structure of a residence.

Pix4D is a software development company that provides solutions for converting images collected via hand, drone or plane into georeferenced 2D mosaics, 3D models and point clouds. After announcing new tools earlier this year, Pix4D has now announced a pair of cloud-based mapping platforms: Pix4Dcloud and Pix4Dcloud Advanced.

The two new stand-alone cloud products use Pix4D’s photogrammetry algorithms for mapping and modeling reality from images. Both products now replace the previous Pix4D Cloud platforms, and Pix4D Advanced extends the functionalities of Pix4Dcloud for construction with the addition of time-based monitoring and higher accuracy. Both Pix4Dcloud and Pix4Dcloud Advanced can be purchased on top of any Pix4D product. They differ in their functionality: the right tool depends on a user’s needs and workflows.

Another key benefit to the cloud-based solution is that the projects and datasets created by users are all in one place, allowing for more seamless access and reduced time searching for sites and datasets.

With Pix4Dcloud Advanced, projects can now be processed with ground control points (GCPs) directly on the cloud. Pix4D has combined machine learning and computer vision in the AutoGCPs feature to pinpoint the exact center of a GCP target almost instantly with pixel-level accuracy, all automatically.

For construction customers, Pix4Dcloud Advanced can be bundled with their purpose-built Crane Camera, allowing for a straightforward – and less invasive – workflow for automatically capturing construction site imagery.