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TrustPoint Marks Major Step Toward GPS-Independent Navigation Technology
TrustPoint has announced it has successfully transmitted its first Low Earth Orbit Navigation System (LEONS) time-transfer and tracking signals from a compact ground node to spacecraft in orbit, a key milestone in developing GPS-independent commercial positioning, navigation and timing services. The demonstration, under the SpaceWERX AltPNT Challenge, lays the groundwork for a more resilient PNT infrastructure that does not rely on legacy GPS signals, the company said.
TrustPoint said its scalable LEONS technology is designed to provide precise timing and navigation support for both its own C-band LEO constellation and other operators seeking robust alternatives to traditional GNSS.
Contact: Burcu Erkmen, TrustPoint, media@trustpointgps.com, www.trustpointgps.com.
Cambridge Mobile Telematics Unveils DriveWell Fleet for Commercial Auto Insurance
Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) announced the launch of DriveWell Fleet, a new telematics solution designed to give commercial auto insurers comprehensive driving data to improve risk pricing and fleet safety. The platform delivers normalized telematics from connected vehicles and proprietary hardware for unconnected ones, enabling what CMT says is full fleet coverage and higher-frequency driving insights. DriveWell Fleet aims to help insurers grow profitably by strengthening underwriting decisions, lowering costs and improving road safety for drivers and policyholders.
Contact: Erica Camilo, for CMT, (610) 639-5644, erica@connexacommunications.com.
Steer-Tech and Kinexon Forge Alliance to Boost Autonomous Vehicle Development
Steer-Tech and Kinexon announced a strategic partnership to integrate their technologies and accelerate innovation in autonomous vehicle systems by delivering precise edge positioning, high-fidelity data, and real-time analytics. The collaboration will combine Steer-Tech’s autonomy stack with Kinexon’s centimeter-level positioning and advanced sensor fusion to support developers working on ADAS and self-driving solutions in complex real-world environments.
Both companies said the partnership aims to provide a unified testing and validation framework that reduces development risk and shortens time to market for next-generation mobility platforms. The combined solution will be showcased with pilot customers and at upcoming industry events as part of broader efforts to scale autonomous deployment safely and efficiently.
Contact: Linh Nguyen, Kinexon, 49 151 72 67 90 97, linh.nguyen@kinexon.com, www.kinexon.com.
Iridium Advances Direct-to-Device Satellite Service With Successful On-Air Tests
Iridium Communications IRDM 0.00%↑ said it has successfully completed on-air testing of its Iridium NTN Direct service, transmitting two-way messages over its low-Earth orbit satellite network as it prepares for beta testing later this year. The service is designed as a global, standards-based NB-IoT and direct-to-device non-terrestrial network that allows mobile operators, chipset makers and device manufacturers to extend connectivity beyond terrestrial coverage. Iridium said the tests used new 5G waveform algorithms and a low-power module from Nordic Semiconductor, demonstrating that battery-powered devices can send messages using standardized satellite connectivity. The company plans to continue testing and partner integrations ahead of commercial service expected in 2026.
Contact: Jordan Hassin, Iridium, (703) 287-7421, jordan.hassin@iridium.com.
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Garmin Introduces GPS Watch Made for Junior Golfers, Rolls Out Rangefinder
Garmin GRMN 0.00%↑ has announced the Approach J1, its first GPS watch specifically designed for junior golfers, offering age-appropriate features and durability. The wearable provides course mapping, distance measurements and simplified swing metrics to help young players learn the game and track performance on more than 45,000 preloaded courses worldwide.
Garmin said the Approach J1 combines kid-friendly design with rugged construction and long battery life to support play throughout a round. The company also emphasized safety and ease of use, including automatic scoring and customizable alerts to keep kids engaged and informed.
In other company news, Garmin rolled out its Xero L60i, a GNSS-enabled rangefinding monocular. With Xero L60i, users get a sharp, bright view through augmented reality technology that overlays graphics in full color, including distance, maps, navigation and more—all while ranging targets out to 3600 meters through 7X magnification, the company said.
Contact: Garmin, (913) 397-8200, media.relations@garmin.com.
Lytx Unveils LytxOne All-In-One Fleet Management Platform
Lytx on Tuesday announced LytxOne, a new, natively combined fleet management solution that integrates video telematics, safety, risk and productivity tools into a single platform. The company said LytxOne is designed to give fleet operators a unified view of operations, streamlining workflows and enhancing decision-making with real-time insights and analytics.
By bringing key capabilities such as driver coaching, compliance tracking and performance monitoring together, Lytx said the solution will help improve safety outcomes and operational efficiency. LytxOne also features customizable dashboards and reporting tools intended to support fleets of all sizes.
Contact: Jason Andersen, Lytx, corpcomm@lytx.com, www.lytx.com.
Virtual Surveyor Adds Local Coordinate System Support to Drone Surveying Software
Virtual Surveyor has added local coordinate system functionality in version 10.2 of its smart drone surveying software, allowing users to define and work directly within custom reference systems commonly used in construction, mining and excavation projects. The company said the update eliminates the need for third-party software by enabling GPS-based drone imagery and lidar data to be projected directly into local coordinate systems with a few clicks.
Virtual Surveyor 10.2 also improves accuracy for distance, area and volume measurements and expands export options to additional authoritative world coordinate systems. The release includes broader usability enhancements such as faster point gridding, improved project sharing and streamlined interface controls.
Contact: Tom Op ‘t Eyndt, Virtual Surveyor, (917) 789-1555.
SuperCom Lands Third Electronic Monitoring Contract in North Carolina
SuperCom has announced its third electronic monitoring contract in North Carolina, building on a recent rollout of its PureOne GPS technology in the state. The deal follows an initial deployment with a local service provider in December and a statewide procurement award earlier last year from the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association.
Contact: SuperCom, ir@supercom.com.
People
- Dr. Gladys West, whose mathematical models inspired GPS, dies at 95.
- Enrique Patrickson has been named CFO of Hexagon.
- Todd Palumbo has been named vice president of business development at Lytx.
- Michelle Toscan has joined Advanced Navigation as head of APAC sales. Her previous roles include senior positions at Anduril Industries, Google GOOG 0.00%↑, Leidos and the Royal Australian Navy.
- Targa Telematics has appointed Adam Gooch as UK director of insurance.
- Nora Anwar has been director of community at Overture Maps Foundation.
- Jean-Pierre Akouri has been named head of sales and business development at GPS Insight.
Jobs
GNSS Product Manager. JAVAD GNSS.
Principal Professional Services Consultant. HERE Technologies.
Sr Global Account Director – Automotive OEM. HERE Technologies.
Senior Customer Success Engineer. U-blox.
Business Development Manager. U-blox.
Key Account Manager, Taiwan. U-blox.
Product Manager. Garmin.
Aviation Marketing Manager. Garmin.
Senior Developer Advocate. TomTom.
Senior Product Manager – Point of Interest (POI). TomTom.
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