Recharter of Features API SWG adds new work items for the group to continue the evolution of this important building block for location.

Contact: Email Contact^[1] 

15 January 2021: The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) seeks public comment on the proposed updated charter for the Features API Standards Working Group (SWG). Comments are due by February 5, 2021.

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) seeks public comment on the proposed updated charter for the Features API Standards Working Group (SWG). Comments are due by February 5, 2021.

The purpose of the Features API SWG is to: develop new and maintain existing parts of the OGC API - Features^[2] multipart standard; develop corrigenda for the related WFS 2.0^[3] and FES 2.0^[4] standards; and review draft Engineering Reports^[5] from the OGC Innovation Program^[6] related to OGC API - Features.

The recharter adds the following new work items to the SWG:...

• Property selection - the ability to specify which feature properties should be presented in a response document.
• Geometry simplification - the ability to specify a resolution so that geometries

A  seminal milestone in the drone industry, American Robotics now meets the safety requirements needed to make drones scalable for widespread commercial use.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. & WASHINGTON — (BUSINESS WIRE) — January 15, 2021 — American Robotics^[1], a leading developer of fully-automated commercial drone systems, today became the first company approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate automated drones without human operators on-site. The company’s Scout System™ features advanced acoustic Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) technology that enables its drones to maintain a safe distance from other aircraft at all times. By developing a layered, redundant system of safety that includes proprietary technical and operational risk mitigations, American Robotics has proven that its drone-based aerial intelligence platform operates safely in the National Airspace System (NAS), even when it conducts flights Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) of the operator.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210115005587/en/^[2]

CHESEAUX-SUR-LAUSANNE, Switzerland, 12^thJanuary 2021 – senseFly, the global leader in fixed-wing drones, today unveils the launch of its new e-learning platform and dedicated Certified senseFly Operator Program, developed to equip unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators with the knowledge and skills required to carry out drone missions more accurately, safely and efficiently.

Through the unique, easy-to-use senseFly Academy platform, operators in all verticals – from surveying and GIS to agriculture and construction – can access a wide range of courses and modules as part of a self-paced training program. Shaped by senseFly experts, the modules are based on a deep understanding of operator needs and pain points and have been developed to help senseFly users overcome both common and sector-specific challenges. The platform guides users through the essential steps of drone mapping and usage, in addition to offering more in-depth insights into managing project workflows and in-field and in-flight troubleshooting.

Users of senseFly Academy can also register for the Certified senseFly Operator Program that helps operators to upskill and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of drone technology and processes. The online course is divided into six comprehensive modules and aims to equip users with proof of the necessary skills and knowledge required for flying mapping drones...

Velodyne Encourages Government and Industry Collaboration to Advance Vehicle Safety

SAN JOSE, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — January 14, 2021 — Velodyne Lidar, Inc.^[1] (Nasdaq: VLDR, VLDRW) today commended the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) plan to update to its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The NHTSA proposal would add four advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) capabilities to the NCAP, keeping pace with evolving safety technologies and providing much-needed information to consumers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210114005992/en/^[2]

MUMBAI, India, Jan. 14, 2021 — (PRNewswire) —The Indian Army has signed an approximately $20 million contract for undisclosed quantities of a high-altitude variant of ideaForge's SWITCH UAV which will be delivered over a period of 1 year. ideaForge has been awarded this contract after it emerged as the only vendor that qualified the operational requirements in an evaluation done in real-world conditions, for a fast-track procurement. The contract marks a strategic shift in the Indian defence procurement process as the Indian Army goes on an aggressive modernization drive. It has also cemented ideaForge's position as India's largest manufacturer of drones for defence, homeland security and industrial applications.

Ms. Barbara J. Ryan has stepped up as the ExecutiveDirector of the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC) starting this new year. Mr. Sanjay Kumar concluded his term as the Chief Executive and will continue to support WGIC as the Secretary-General.

Amersfoort, The Netherlands,  January 14, 2020 - The World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC) is pleased to announce that Ms. Barbara J Ryan as its Executive Director, effective January 1, 2020. Further, Sanjay Kumar completed his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2020 and will continue to serve the global Council as its Secretary-General.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar, through his collaborative leadership, leaves an impact on the global Council

Established in 2018, the World Geospatial Industry Council started gaining worldwide recognition as a transformative industry association for geospatial matters. As the CEO & Secretary-General, Mr. Kumar has played a pivotal role in the formative years, collaborated with leading geospatial companies and global organizations, and strengthened WGIC's member and partner base. Along with the Patron and Executive Boards, he carved out the vision and delivered its mission. Mr. Kumar shaped the committees and working groups and brought in prominent leaders at WGIC to lead various initiatives and programs. Further,...