LIVERMORE, Calif. – Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) announces its new partnership with Aerotec, LLC of Bessemer, Alabama.

Aerotec, LLC has created an electric power transmission right-of-way vegetation management application to run on Topcon's GRS-1 hand-held GPS receiver. This joint solution for vegetation management applications allows utility foresters to easily use GPS to identify and locate conductor-vegetation clearance problem much faster and more accurately than current alternative methods, according to TPS’ Richard Rybka, partner development manager.

Jim Dow, CEO of Aerotec, said, “Our goal is two-fold: Not only do we increase the level of accuracy and completeness of the forester’s initial LIDAR violation inventory (reducing risk); but with Topcon’s GRS-1, we put the tool and the solution directly into the hands of the forester for subsequent in-the-field future inspections – thus vastly extending and increasing the value and benefits derived from the initial LIDAR violation inventory work.”

Aerotec uses state-of-the-art airborne remote sensing capabilities to provide engineering quality models and maps to its customers throughout North America. Aerotec's primary technologies include Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR/laser-scan), digital aerial photography, proprietary and commercial software, and specialized engineering analysis/design packages.

The accuracy of Aerotec's LIDAR and digital imagery products is well within industry accepted engineering and mapping specifications. Using its advanced proprietary filtering and analysis software, Aerotec manipulates LIDAR and digital imagery data to prepare three-dimensional visualizations, geometrically accurate models, and analysis results that allow customers to move directly into primary engineering/vegetation management tasks faster.

“We are very pleased to have Aerotec join Topcon as a GIS OEM partner,” said Rybka. “With an in-depth knowledge of user requirements for electric power transmission applications and specialized software development capabilities, we expect that their vegetation management solution will quickly become the leading standard for this growing industry.”


Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. (TPS) designs and manufactures precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. TPS’ parent company, Topcon Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange – 7732), was founded in 1932.