Optical Measurement

Updates

• 24 May 2012

  Hexagon Acquires Norwegian Software Company myVR

  Hexagon Acquires Norwegian Software Company myVR
  
  Hexagon AB, leading global provider of design, measurement and visualisation technologies, has acquired all shares in the Norwegian company My Virtual Reality Software AS (myVR).
  
  myVR provides software that offers a solution for 2D, 3D and 360-degree viewing for desktop and mobile. The company has developed a patented technology platform that enables high-resolution real-time viewing of interactive maps over networks with limited bandwidth. The platform makes it possible to view large-scale models on any 3D hardware-supported client platform, including mobile phones and tablets.
  
  "The acquisition of myVR will be of great value for Hexagon's current offerings. Everything is going mobile, including our customer offerings," said Ola Rollén, President and CEO, Hexagon AB. "In the past, the problem with displaying 3D data on a mobile device such as a tablet has been size limitations of data transfers, and also the ability to handle the transfer in a real-time environment. myVR has a unique solution to this problem, and Hexagon will make use of its technology in all of our divisions."
  
  Founded in 2003, myVR provides real-time, 3D virtual technology to the Oil & Gas, Building & Construction, Government and Web Portals industries, as well as other traditional and emerging digital markets.
  
  myVR will be fully consolidated as of today. The acquisition will not have any visible impact on Hexagon's earnings in the short-term.
  
  For further information please contact: Mattias Stenberg, Vice president Strategy & Communications, Hexagon AB
  
  Found in the news releases fro Hexagon by
  
  Gerd Schwaderer
  Geomagic GmbH
  Sales Director EMEA
  europe@geomagic.com
  http://www.geomagic.com
  Tel: +49 711 71 91 7887
  Mobile: +49 178 7767 887
  Schoettlestr. 34C
  70597 Stuttgart
  Germany
  SUPPORT: +49 711 71 91 7890
  support@geomagic.com
  
  
  

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• 24 May 2012

  Cast Yourself in Carbonite - Scan to Star Wars

  Cast Yourself in Carbonite with the Carbon-Freeze Me Experience During Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  
  posted on May 8th, 2012 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
  
  Carbon-Freeze Me Experience Coming to Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney's Hollywood Studios
  
  As a child, one of the most memorable scenes that I vividly remember from Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back is when Captain Han Solo is frozen in carbonite on Darth Vader’s orders. I think I remember it because after seeing the movie, my parents bought me Boba Fett’s ship that contained a miniature version of Han Solo in carbonite. Coming this year to Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I will have the opportunity to relive that scene with the Carbon-Freeze Me experience. This new experience was created especially for Disney Parks, and is part of our “D-Tech Me” line that uses technology to take personalization to a whole new level (advance reservations are required. Please see below for details).
  
  Carbon-Freeze Me Experience Coming to Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney's Hollywood Studios
  
  Using state-of-the-art imaging technology, this experience casts your likeness as a three-dimensional, eight-inch figurine. At the Carbon-Freezing Chamber (located adjacent to The American Idol Experience), several cameras will capture multiple angles of your face. The images are then reconstructed in a computer for processing, and in approximately four weeks, the completed figurine is shipped directly to your house. I had my image captured during early tests for this experience, and it was surreal to see a digital version of my head.
  
  Carbon-Freeze Me Experience Coming to Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney's Hollywood Studios
  
  Each carbonite figurine is $99.95 (plus shipping). You can order additional figurines using the same image scan for $74.95 each. The replica figurine can be hung on a wall, just like the gangster Jabba the Hutt did in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi (I plan on doing the same thing when I receive mine). Guests also receive a light-up wristband.
  
  The experience will officially open on May 18 with the launch of Star Wars Weekends.
  
  Reservations are required and can be made starting Monday, May 7 by calling 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324).
  
  May the Force be with you!
  
  Please note: Separate Theme Park admission required for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. No discounts apply unless otherwise noted. Guests must be at least three (3) years of age to participate. A valid accepted credit card number is required at time of booking. No-shows or in the event a reservation is cancelled within 48 hours of scheduled experience will result in such credit card being charged a $25 cancellation fee. The experience, due to its personalized nature is non-refundable and not eligible for an exchange. Children must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age or older during the entire experience. Certain restrictions may apply. All prices, components and information are subject to change without notice.
  
  Found by GERD SCHWADERER
  GEOMAGIC GMBH
  SALES DIRECTOR EMEA
  EUROPE@GEOMAGIC.COM
  WWW.GEOMAGIC.COM
  TEL: +49 711 71 91 7887
  MOBILE: +49 178 7767 887
  SCHOETTLESTR. 34C
  70597 STUTTGART
  GERMANY
  SUPPORT: +49 711 71 91 7890
  SUPPORT@GEOMAGIC.COM
  
  
  

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• 17 May 2012

  Indoor GPS

  It's not that long ago that GPS capabilities in a mobile phone were considered a standout feature. Today, GPS navigation is standard for smartphones, and as a result, many of us have come to rely on them when it comes to getting from A to B. However, GPS technology isn't without its faults, and if A to B is located under a roof, out of sight of the orbiting GPS satellites, then you can end up falling back on the not always reliable sense of direction. To fix the problem, Fraunhofer Research is developing Smartsense, a smartphone sensor capable of providing accurate navigation indoors, without the aid of GPS.
  While Fraunhofer isn’t the first to take a crack atindoor navigation, Smartsense appears to have a great deal of promise - particularly for sprawling indoor areas such as shopping malls or convention centers. At its core, Smartsense is powered by a combination of two sensors working in tandem. An acceleration sensor registers how fast a user is walking, and a magnetic field sensor is used to track movement through the Earth’s natural magnetic field. Together, these sensors provide accurate location data which can then be used by smartphone applications to provide detailed indoor directions.
  
  Despite the incredibly accurate sensor, the system cannot function if the phone has no knowledge of the building. Fraunhofer Research believes that eventually, users will be able to download maps within applications, or scan QR codes containing map downloads, and then use Smartsense to navigate along with these maps. We've already seen the beginnings of this, as Google Maps for Android now features indoor maps for select malls and trade shows, but as of now, there is no way to provide real-time navigation for these indoor maps, as the application relies on GPS. This is where the Smartsense module could make a real splash when combined with popular software like Google Maps.
  Smartsense is being developed by Fraunhofer researchers, together with the Bosch Corporation and other partners. Whether or not it makes its way into your next smartphone really depends on the major phone manufacturers and whether they believe it is a feature that people will want. Its developers will be doing their best to convince anyone who will listen of the advantages of the system at the Sensor+Test 2012 trade show taking place in Nuremberg next week.
  

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