My Journey to "Measure What I See": Unlocking Efficiency with Tersus Visual Positioning
My Journey to "Measure What I See": Unlocking Efficiency with Tersus Visual Positioning
The geospatial industry has always been about precision and efficiency, but let's be honest, some tasks felt like wrestling an octopus - complex, time-consuming, and occasionally dangerous. Then I got my hands on a Tersus Oscar Trek with Visual Positioning. I wasn't just handed a new GNSS receiver; I was handed a new mindset. This wasn't just another gadget; it was a revolution that allowed me to truly "measure what I see," transforming how you approach projects and, ultimately, how you create deliverables.
The Workflow: So Intuitive, So Powerful
The beauty of the Tersus workflow lies in its simplicity, making advanced data collection feel remarkably accessible. As I was putting together a quick, 5-minute video, I realized I was seamlessly and intuitively flowing.
Quick Setup: Getting the Oscar Trek up and running was a breeze. Pairing it with the controller via NFC or Bluetooth was instantaneous, and getting an RTK fix in open sky was as straightforward as expected. The IMU initialization was simple and took just a few seconds. No more spinning like a madman to get the tilt compensation ready!
Capturing the Scene: This is where the magic really happened. I just needed to walk around my target, capturing it from multiple angles. The system provided me with real-time video feedback that helped to keep my optimal distance (typically 2m-10m), ensuring I got the best results. I particularly appreciated the advice on avoiding harsh shadows or direct sunlight—a little hint that made a big difference in data quality.
Measuring on the Screen: With the images captured, I could immediately pick feature points directly on the screen. The system's intelligence, combining the visual data with the high-accuracy GNSS and IMU information, gave me real-time positioning on the points. I didn't have to walk back to the exact location to get a new coordinate; I could simply tap the screen and get the data. What's more, the visual positioning capability allows you to create a point cloud file in LAS format directly in the field from the pictures you take. This streamlined process eliminates the need for extensive post-processing, allowing you to instantly generate industry-standard 3D point clouds right from your data collector. You can measure, visualize, and save your point cloud with the confidence that it's ready for immediate use.
Effortless Deliverables: The Nuwa app made data easy to manage. My field data—including point clouds, pictures, and quality indicators—was right there. This meant I could see my data coming together right there in the field, which drastically cut down on post-processing time and streamlined office workflows.
"Ah-ha!" Moments: The Game-Changing Benefits I Experienced
As I continued to use the system and work on the video, the profound benefits of Tersus Oscar Trek GNSS Receiver became incredibly clear to me:
"Measure What I See" – A True Game Changer: This capability felt revolutionary. You are no longer limited by physical access. Think about trying to get precise points on building leads from the ground, or safely measuring components from an active construction site. With this tool, I could easily collect everything I needed by measuring on the screen. This opens up so many possibilities for your projects that used to be a headache.
Massive Time Savings (and Better Deliverables): The sheer speed of data collection was astounding. Instead of measuring individual points, you can now capture multiple points from a single set of images. This saves so much time in the field, and a bonus of the visual data is that you have a detailed record of the images you used to create the data. You now have a visual record of what was measured, and a high-quality deliverable to back it up.
Accuracy You Can Trust: Even when working with the visual positioning, the centimeter-level accuracy was consistent and reliable, thanks to the robust RTK GNSS integration. I felt like I was sacrificing precision for convenience. My measurements were consistently accurate, which is a testament to the Tersus engineers' work.
Effortless Tilt Compensation: The Oscar Trek’s calibration-free tilt compensation worked as expected. No messing with the receiver or worrying about magnetic interference. I can use the tool without a hassle. This means less to worry about in the field, so I can focus on getting the job done.
Rich, Visually-Contextualized Data: Beyond just coordinates, the integrated images provide a fantastic visual record for every point. This added context would be invaluable for quality control, stakeholder communication, and even for future reference—making deliverables more complete and understandable.
How Tersus Visual Positioning is Changing Your Projects
My experience has shown me that Tersus Oscar Trek GNSS Receiver isn't just a niche tool; it's a versatile solution that's reshaping numerous applications across the geospatial industry:
Surveying & Mapping: From new roads to complex topographic surveys and detailed mapping of intricate structures with unprecedented ease. Capturing facades, high-rise building elements, or busy roadways without having to get into the road itself is a game-changer.
Construction & Engineering: For construction, project monitoring, as-built surveys, and quality control, it's invaluable. You can quickly verify dimensions, track material quantities, and document changes with high-precision, visually documented data.
GIS Data Collection & Asset Management: Collecting rich geospatial data for infrastructure assets and urban environments is easier than ever before. Capturing and documenting utility boxes, street furniture, trees, and other assets from a safe distance, documenting it with pictures for the city's asset management.
Utilities & Infrastructure: From inspecting critical infrastructure to documenting transmission tower positions and checking for clearance from surrounding objects, this tool can provide you with the data you need to make your work safe and efficient.
My journey with Tersus Oscar Trek GNSS Receiver has been one of discovery—discovering a more intuitive, efficient, and safer way to collect high-precision geospatial data. It’s more than just a new piece of equipment; it’s a new methodology that could become the standard in the industry.
Watch my video here: Tersus Oscar Trek GNSS Receiver: Dense Point Cloud in Action
You can also watch the video put together by Mark Cheng, Tersus Product Manager on this technology. Introducing Tersus Oscar Trek: Point Cloud from Photos
