Geolocation

NGA Offers Cash Prizes for Tech that Can Identify a Location By Its Sound

The agency intends to figure out whether specific locations can be distinguished using sound-based machine learning methods.

  • By Brandi Vincent

NGA Contest Unearths New Ways to Help Measure the Planet’s Magnetic Field

The agency funded five projects through its global MagQuest competition.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Google Offering Near Real-Time Maps of Wildfire Boundaries

The company’s announcement comes as destructive fires are burning in a number of western states.

  • By Bill Lucia

White House Council Seeks Input on Plan to Invest in Alternatives to GPS

The request for information flows from an executive order on the responsible use of positioning, navigation and timing services.

  • By Mariam Baksh

The Air Force’s Latest GPS Alternative: Earth’s Magnetic Fields

Officials just launched a public challenge to help create the artificial intelligence needed to turn the planet’s magnetic fields into readable maps.

  • By Patrick Tucker

Pokémon Go Wants to Make 3D Scans of the Whole World for 'Planet-Scale Augmented Reality Experiences.' Is that Good?

A new feature within the game will encourage players to create and upload 3D scans of real-world locations.

  • By Marcus Carter and Ben Egliston, The Conversation

NIST Seeks Input on Position Navigation and Timing Services 

The agency is tasked by an executive order to develop profiles for the technology based on its cybersecurity framework to inform agencies’ procurement. 

  • By Mariam Baksh

Survey: Americans Trust Big Tech Over Government in Contact Tracing

More than 75% of Americans feel their privacy is at risk due to measures being taken to combat COVID-19.

  • By Frank Konkel

Pentagon, Senators Blast FCC Decision to Let Company Share GPS Spectrum

Space Force chief, Pentagon tech leaders, and the Armed Services chairman led calls to reconsider the controversial license for Ligado.

  • By Patrick Tucker

Survey: 4 in 5 Americans Worried Pandemic Will Encourage Government Surveillance

Many Americans oppose intrusive technologies even if they’re intended to assist in the government’s response to coronavirus.

  • By Frank Konkel

The Pentagon Will Use AI to Predict Panic Buying, COVID-19 Hotspots

The prototype can predict trends in supply and demand and infection down to the zip code.

  • By Patrick Tucker

How a Slice of Spectrum Split the U.S. Government

The head of the Federal Communications Commission wants to allow a satellite company access in the interest of 5G despite objections from Defense, Commerce and other departments and agencies. 

  • By Mariam Baksh

Wi-Fi Peeks into Buildings to Check Social Distancing

Mapping the Wi-Fi strength of mobile devices can reveal how people move and gather.

  • By National University of Singapore, Futurity

GPS is Fatally Flawed. It’s Past Time to Fix It. 

A terrestrial system could make GPS spoof-proof.

  • By Gene McCall

Featured eBooks

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Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Executive Order Welcomed with Mixed Reactions

Some stakeholders applauded the administration’s attention to PNT services while others said the order kicked the real work down the road.

  • By Dana A. Goward

Russian and Chinese Satellites Are Helping U.S. Pilots Spy on Russia and China

U-2 pilots are wearing watches that connect to foreign satellites, giving them backup navigation when GPS is jammed.

  • By Marcus Weisgerber

Senator Questions DHS’ Use of Cellphone Location Data for Immigration Enforcement

Sen. Ed Markey wants details on the reported program, including its security practices.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Federal Contracts to Require Secure Timing and Navigation Under Executive Order

Key stakeholder says the president’s edict is insufficient and likely to cause confusion over the role of various departments.

  • By Mariam Baksh

Spies Like AI: The Future of Artificial Intelligence for the U.S. Intelligence Community

Putting AI to its broadest use in national defense will mean hardening it against attack.

  • By Patrick Tucker

Pentagon Wants to Build One Satellite Per Week

Over the next two years, the Space Development Agency is looking to put dozens of satellites into orbit. 

  • By Marcus Weisgerber

Government to Restrict Sale of AI for Satellite Image Analysis

Software that can analyze satellite photos would be treated like a weapon.

  • By Patrick Tucker