
25 August 2008, 9:44am
CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, The Netherlands - Two years after its introduction, Topcon's GR-3 multi-constellation receiver has received its sixth international design recognition for its innovative product design. The latest award for the GR-3 was awarded in July by BusinessWeek magazine – the 2008 International Design Excellence Award (IDEA).
Ian Stilgoe, Product Marketing and Support Manager Survey Products of Topcon Europe Positioning, said this "award culminates an unbelievable string of design awards for the GR-3. This easy-to-use receiver is one of the constructions and survey industries most innovative and recognized products in the last decade."
The unique shape and component architecture offers many advantages: Two hot swappable battery packs fit into an I-beam shaped magnesium chassis that protects the instrument in up to two meter drops; integrated multiple communication systems (GSM/GPRS, CDMA, UHF, SS915); the latest multi-constellation tracking technology; unique quick release system; AA battery holder for emergency operation; and a waterproof design.
The list of GR-3 awards includes:
• International Design Excellence Award (IDEA), 2008 – Silver. The IDEA award is an industrial and product design award given by BusinessWeek magazine to recognize innovative designs worldwide.
• Good Design Award, 2007 – Gold (Top 15). The Good Design Award recognizes products designed to improve the quality of lives and advancement of industrial activity. Operated by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization, the Good Design Award stems from the Japanese Good Design Selection System (G-Mark), established in 1957 by the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry to promote the awareness and importance of quality and originality in product design.
• European International Forum (iF) Award, 2007. The iF design award recognizes trendsetters in architecture, product design and services and is one of the world’s three leading design awards. With a 50-year history, the award program is operated by the International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover, Germany.
• red dot award, 2007. The red dot award recognizes products of the highest quality design. Previously named Design innovations – the award was given its new name in 2000. Award-winning products are presented annually in the special “Design Innovations” exhibition in the red dot museums in Germany and Singapore.
• Spark Award, 2007– Bronze. The international Spark Award recognizes designs that provide tools for better lives. The award is the initiative of the Spark advisory council and community board with representatives from academia, media, marketing, advertising, design and industry.
• Pasadena Museum of California Art, 2007. The Pasadena Museum of California Art displays outstanding works in its prestigious design exhibition.
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Each month we select a hot topic and a leading figure in the industry to write about it.How valuable are our efforts on SDIs if we don’t actively address the human issues? Think about all the government regulations, technical implementation plans, internal processes and procedures, data sharing networks and so on. These are arguably meaningless if there is no buy-in or understanding from the people who must deliver against them.
During the 1Spatial Conference 2008 where there was a large number of presentations on a wide range of important industry topics ranging from data quality, data integration and data maintenance to open source and INSPIRE. But there were very few presentations that focused on the human aspects of our business.… More…
Steven Ramage
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