Calgary, Alberta - Hemisphere GPS
proudly introduces GateMate- a portable Alpine ski racing gate
placement and tracking system. First used at the Olympic Alpine Skiing events in
Whistler, GateMate incorporates Hemisphere GPS’ Crescent or Eclipse technology and custom designed software in a portable Windows Mobile package, GateMate allows course workers to reduce by more than half the
average time to place gates on a course.
The current system used on Alpine ski courses involves manually recording
gate locations using various landmarks and measuring tapes to triangulate the
position of each gate. When the gates are removed to groom and clear the course,
course workers use the previous measurements to place the gates in their
original positions – this can take many hours. With GateMate course
workers can map the gates to under 1m of their original location without
the use of landmarks or measuring tapes in a fraction of the time. In a typical
situation one person uses GateMate to mark the gate location and the
other person places the gate. The system can also be upgraded to provide gate
locations accurate to the centimeter level.
“Being part of the Olympic experience by seeing GateMate improve the
efficiency and accuracy of Alpine course setup was a tremendous opportunity,”
says Steven Koles, President and CEO of Hemisphere GPS. “The advantages
of increased gate placement accuracy and greater efficiency in course placement
can benefit Alpine race organizers at venues throughout the world.”
Hemisphere GPS’ R200 DGPS dual frequency receiver
with RTK was used with GateMate at the Olympics to accurately plot
gate positions, allowing the event crew to precisely recreate the course path
when the gates were moved for snow grooming. Detailed course distances and
elevations were logged with GateMate for technical review with the racing
committees. This data was also uploaded to Google Earth for further
visualization.
“GateMate increased our confidence in course setup at both the
Olympic and World Cup events,” says Mike Kirker, Chief of Course for the
Men’s World Cup Downhill at Lake Louise and the Olympic Alpine races at
Whistler. “The benefits of using GPS and simplicity of the GateMate
application have made significant improvements to course management.”
GateMate’s intuitive user interface includes a strategic gate
numbering system that allows gate tracking from start to finish. GateMate
enables users to pinpoint, position, and number a gate at the same time, making
removal and replacement efficient and fast. GateMate can be integrated
with Google Earth and set to simulate a lifelike run on the screen. The Google
Earth map along with the GateMate data allows users to see the gates and
entire course up close and personal.
GateMate is compatible with the XF102 DGPS receiver
which tracks GPS and SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, etc.) signals, and
with the R200 Series of dual frequency DGPS receivers for use
with RTK via base station or cellular.
GateMate is available through the Hemisphere GPS website and through
direct sales. Please visit
www.hemispheregps.com for more information on
GateMate.
Hemisphere GPS
Hemisphere GPS designs and manufactures innovative, cost-effective GPS
products for positioning, guidance, and machine control applications in
agriculture, marine, construction, and other markets. The Company holds numerous
patents and other intellectual property and owns leading brand names, including
Outback Guidance and BEELINE, two of the leading brands in precision GPS for
ground agriculture. The Company is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, with major
product development, sales, and marketing facilities in Arizona, Kansas, and
Australia. Hemisphere GPS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)
trading under the symbol “HEM” and is one of the TSX Cleantech
designated companies. For more information about Hemisphere GPS, please go to www.hemispheregps.com.
The above disclosure contains certain forward-looking statements that
involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These
forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties,
certain of which are beyond Hemisphere GPS’ control, including: the impact of
general economic conditions, industry conditions, increased competition, the
lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in
foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and market
valuations of companies with respect to the announced transactions and the final
valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities.
Hemisphere GPS’ actual results, performance or achievement could differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by these forward-looking
statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events
anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any
of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceed, that Hemisphere
GPS will derive there from.
Hemisphere GPS Debuts GateMate Alpine Ski Race Gate Tracking System
April 22, 2010
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