Trimble Navigation And IBM Team Up to Give Mobile Computing a Sense of Direction
LAS VEGAS — November 16, 1992 — Trimble Navigation Limited (NASDAQ: TRMB), the world leader in commercial Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, a satellite-based navigation system developed and maintained by the U.S. Dept. of Defense and International Business Machines (IBM), demonstrated a pen-based computer and vehicle tracking system that uses GPS to determine precise location, Trimble announced today.
The demonstration by IBM at their Fall Comdex '92 booth shows how pen-based computers, digital cameras and Trimble GPS products can be combined to give mobile computing new vision. IBM and Trimble will also be operating an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system from the IBM booth using Trimble GPS technology to track vehicles operating outside on the streets of Las Vegas. According to William Dussell, Trimble's OEM sales manager, "The combination of these technologies is a natural since the term mobile computing implies location-independent operation. GPS give mobile computing a sense of direction."
Convergence of Technologies
The pen-based system allows mobile personnel to automatically record the location of observations and digital pictures taken on the scene of a disaster or accident as well as in utility company asset management situations. The system consists of a Trimble GPS receiver and a Dycam Inc. digital camera interfaced with an IBM Thinkpad pen-based tablet computer. Application software was developed by PenStuff Inc. in conjunction with the University of Florida GeoPlan Center.
"Combined, these technologies are expected to benefit a wide range of applications from property appraisals and insurance claim adjustments, to public safety, military applications and law enforcement," said PenStuff's Michael Calto, vice president of project development.
GPS and Hurricane Andrew
In a program sponsored by Trimble and IBM, this technology is being utilized by Florida's Dade County preparing geographically correct damage assessments in the wake of Hurricane Andrew. The National Park Service also used Trimble GPS to locate sunken boats and scattered debris, including complete aircraft, which had been blown into the environmentally sensitive Everglades National Park.
Live Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Demonstration
The live demonstration uses IBM PCradios (notebook computers with built-in wireless communication capabilities that were developed by IBM in Boca Raton, Fla.) that report precise vehicle location to an IBM RS 6000 workstation via the ARDIS network, a data network covering a majority of the United States. Designed originally to support IBM field technicians, the ARDIS network has since been opened to other users. An IBM AS/400 running mobile application enabler software, developed by IBM Gathersburg, Md., collects and transmits position data to the IBM displaying Trimble AVL software with electronic maps of Las Vegas.
Trimble Navigation Ltd. is a world leader in the emerging commercial market for satellite-based navigation and positioning products using the U.S. Government-funded Global Positioning System (GPS). Trimble designs, manufactures and markets electronic instruments and systems for determining precise geographic location. These products are sold in a variety of markets including survey and mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), marine, aviation, vehicle tracking, military applications and differential GPS systems. Founded in 1978 and located in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has been the leader in the commercial business of GPS since 1984.
CONTACT:
William O. Dussell, 408-481-8915, or Barbara Thomas, 408-481-7808, both of Trimble Navigation