Ramani Geosystems, an aerial mapping and surveying company based in Nairobi, Kenya, has contracted with Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit to purchase an UltraCamX photogrammetric digital aerial camera system. The new camera will be used to complete wide-area mapping, urban planning and infrastructure projects throughout Africa.
“We chose the UltraCamX because it is a proven technology that is trusted within the industry. Reliability is a primary requirement for us to avoid lengthy delays for repairs and support. In Africa there isn’t always an expert around the corner,” stated Mr. Daniel Haywood, Managing Director, Ramani Geosystems. “Also, with the larger footprint of the UltraCamX, Ramani will be able to take advantage of new opportunities with customers who require large format imagery.”
The UltraCamX collects 136 megapixels per trigger to produce 14,430 across track and 9,420 along track pixels, with a sustained collection rate of three gigabits per second. In addition, the UltraCamX system features a data flow that allows extensive image collection in the air. Low-cost, exchangeable data storage devices store up to 4,700 images each and can be swapped mid-flight for reduced ground turnover time.
“The introduction of an UltraCamX into the East Africa region is exciting for Microsoft,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “We see this as an opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of this important economic area.”
About Microsoft’s UltraCam Business Unit
With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp, UltraCamXp Wide Angle, UltraCam Eagle and UltraCam Falcon digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam offerings is the fully integrated UltraMap workflow software system, with features that include high-density 3D point cloud creation, highly accurate and detailed digital surface model (DSM) generation, and ortho mosaicing capabilities based on automatically generated DSM or DTM.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Ramani Geosystems
Ramani Geosystems is a geospatial services firm offering professional land surveying, aerial photography, aerial LiDAR, GIS and mapping services. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Ramani is dedicated to providing high quality services throughout Africa. Its clients represent a wide range of industry sectors, including government agencies and private companies. Ramani uses leading edge technologies and owns two aircraft, large and medium format aerial cameras and a LiDAR scanner. For more information go to www.ramani.co.ke or contact Daniel Haywood at [email protected] or +254 (20) 6002035.
