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High-ranked representatives from the European Commission and from the automotive industry gathered at a Euractiv forum in Brussels on November 26 to discuss the question - ‘Is Galileo is a critical component for autonomous driving?’ The answer, it seems, is a resounding “Yes!”

Space has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives and a key element of the European economy, and the importance of space technology to our lives will only increase in the future. In his keynote address at the forum, Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) noted, however, that the development of space technology is not an objective in itself - it is a tool to bring benefits to European citizens. 

“These benefits come in the form of job creation and economic growth and, no less importantly, in the many applications and services that use space technology to improve our lives,” he said.

GNSS is essential

One such area of application, and the focus of the Euractiv event, is the transport sector and, specifically, the area of autonomous driving. Speaking at the forum, Mattias Petschke, Director of EU Satellite Navigation Programmes at DG GROW, outlined what Galileo brings to the table when it comes to autonomous driving. 

Petschke stressed that Galileo is already working and improving the GPS signal that users receive. “With GPS you know which road you are on, with Galileo you know which lane of the road you are on,” he said, adding that GNSS is essential to determine absolute position and also for predictive driving. “GNSS technology is globally available, it does not need any additional local infrastructure and it is available in areas with difficult network coverage,” he said.

A major asset that Galileo has to offer in terms of autonomous driving is its high quality performance. “Galileo offers outstanding availability and accuracy. The Galileo authentication and high accuracy services, which should become operational in 2020, will have an enormous positive impact in many areas, including autonomous driving,” Petschke said.  

The importance of cooperating with industry for the development and uptake of space-based solutions was also highlighted. “The market development department of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) in Prague has been doing excellent work with industry to identify what can be achieved together,” he said, adding that thanks to this work there has been excellent market uptake, with currently all major smartphone models being Galileo enabled.

The industry perspective

“The 20-centimetre accuracy that Galileo will provide will bring a revolution in active safety and will enable cooperative, connected, automated mobility by providing lane positioning, which is very important and something that the industry has been waiting for,” Angelos Amditis, Chairman of ERTICO and Research Director at the National Technical University of Athens said. He noted that this would pave the way towards even higher levels of automation.

With its high accuracy, GNSS will be an essential element of the autonomous vehicle, but will need to be combined with other on-board sensors and systems such as cameras, radar, inertial sensors and so on, in order to have the required accuracy, integrity, reliability and availability on a continuous basis, Amditis said. He stressed that, thanks to its high accuracy, Galileo will play a major role as an enabler of many new services and concepts, such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and platooning.

Available and free

Joost Vantomme, Smart Mobility Director at the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), said that access to new technology would help keep European industry competitive. At the moment, geo-positioning is a convenience, allowing us to know where we are in relation to certain objects. “In the future, geo-positioning will no longer be a convenience, it will be a necessary, critical requirement for automation,” he said.  

Alessandro Coda, Chief Technology Officer at the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) representing 3,000 companies and 5 million employees, said that for autonomous driving the 20 centimetre accuracy that Galileo will offer is already a big result, and that his members are happy with the service that Galileo provides. His one request to the European Commission is: “Keep it always available, keep it always free!”

High-ranked representatives from the European Commission and from the automotive industry gathered at a Euractiv forum in Brussels on November 26 to discuss the question - ‘Is Galileo is a critical component for autonomous driving?’ The answer, it seems, is a resounding “Yes!”

Space has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives and a key element of the European economy, and the importance of space technology to our lives will only increase in the future. In his keynote address at the forum, Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) noted, however, that the development of space technology is not an objective in itself - it is a tool to bring benefits to European citizens. 

“These benefits come in the form of job creation and economic growth and, no less importantly, in the many applications and services that use space technology to improve our lives,” he said.

GNSS is essential

One such area of application, and the focus of the Euractiv event, is the transport sector and, specifically, the area of autonomous driving. Speaking at the forum, Mattias Petschke, Director of EU Satellite Navigation Programmes at DG GROW, outlined what Galileo brings to the table when it comes to autonomous driving. 

Petschke stressed that Galileo is already working and improving the GPS signal that users receive. “With GPS you know which road you are on, with Galileo you know which lane of the road you are on,” he said, adding that GNSS is essential to determine absolute position and also for predictive driving. “GNSS technology is globally available, it does not need any additional local infrastructure and it is available in areas with difficult network coverage,” he said.

A major asset that Galileo has to offer in terms of autonomous driving is its high quality performance. “Galileo offers outstanding availability and accuracy. The Galileo authentication and high accuracy services, which should become operational in 2020, will have an enormous positive impact in many areas, including autonomous driving,” Petschke said.  

The importance of cooperating with industry for the development and uptake of space-based solutions was also highlighted. “The market development department of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) in Prague has been doing excellent work with industry to identify what can be achieved together,” he said, adding that thanks to this work there has been excellent market uptake, with currently all major smartphone models being Galileo enabled.

The industry perspective

“The 20-centimetre accuracy that Galileo will provide will bring a revolution in active safety and will enable cooperative, connected, automated mobility by providing lane positioning, which is very important and something that the industry has been waiting for,” Angelos Amditis, Chairman of ERTICO and Research Director at the National Technical University of Athens said. He noted that this would pave the way towards even higher levels of automation.

With its high accuracy, GNSS will be an essential element of the autonomous vehicle, but will need to be combined with other on-board sensors and systems such as cameras, radar, inertial sensors and so on, in order to have the required accuracy, integrity, reliability and availability on a continuous basis, Amditis said. He stressed that, thanks to its high accuracy, Galileo will play a major role as an enabler of many new services and concepts, such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and platooning.

Available and free

Joost Vantomme, Smart Mobility Director at the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), said that access to new technology would help keep European industry competitive. At the moment, geo-positioning is a convenience, allowing us to know where we are in relation to certain objects. “In the future, geo-positioning will no longer be a convenience, it will be a necessary, critical requirement for automation,” he said.  

Alessandro Coda, Chief Technology Officer at the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) representing 3,000 companies and 5 million employees, said that for autonomous driving the 20 centimetre accuracy that Galileo will offer is already a big result, and that his members are happy with the service that Galileo provides. His one request to the European Commission is: “Keep it always available, keep it always free!”

Major farming equipment manufacturer Case New Holland Industrial (CNHi) have enhanced the robustness of their precision agriculture system by adding Galileo signals to their reference network solution.

During last week’s EIMA International Agricultural and Gardening Machinery Exhibit in Bologna, Italy, CNHi announced that its equipment will now be Galileo-capable. CNHi is a global manufacturer of agricultural machinery, including tractors, combine harvesters and balers. Galileo enhances the robustness of its RTK+ correction services.

The CNHi RTK+ guided auto-steering and its related technology ensures a fast, dependable signal and a sub 1.5 cm repeatable accuracy in all conditions, regardless of field location. However, until now, farmers have had to depend on non-civilian American GPS or Russian GLONASS signals when driving in the field. “Enhanced RTK+ accuracy through incorporation of signals from the Galileo satellites is a core way in which we can help CNHi tractor and combine users be innovative and competitive as they seek to help develop a sustainable agriculture to feed an ever-increasing world population in an environmentally responsible way,” says Maxime Rocaboy, Product Marketing Manager at Case IH.

The addition of Galileo also helps minimise the risk of signal failure, which is one of the major reasons why the CNHi RTK network is integrating corrections for Galileo satellites. “By improving positioning and timing information, consistency of signal coverage is enhanced and a robust and reliable signal for accurate pass-to-pass repeatability is ensured,” says Alessio Quatraro, Product Marketing Manager at New Holland. “This benefits farmers by minimising downtime from waiting for a lost signal to be regained and guarantees a consistent and efficient use of seed, fertiliser and crop protection products through parallel passes with minimal overlap, thus maximising a crop’s potential.”

The addition of Galileo means a higher number of available satellites when using RTK corrections, making the service even more robust – especially under challenging circumstances such as working under trees, in forestry or in orchards. The company is currently testing and validating Galileo corrections for its RTK corrective service, which are expected to be available on the market starting in January 2019.

Galileo drives European competitiveness

The use of GNSS technology, including Galileo, is opening new business models and opportunities in the agricultural sector. GNSS-based precision farming gives farmers an unprecedented level of knowledge about their crops, livestock and operations while making the sector more efficient, economically competitive and environmentally sustainable.

According to the European GNSS Agency (GSA), Galileo provides improved positioning and timing information, with significant positive implications for many European farmers. “Galileo is well-positioned to enhance the GNSS performance, allowing users to benefit from an improved monitoring of the distribution and dilution of chemicals, improved parcel yields thanks to customised treatment and more efficient property management,” says Joaquín Reyes, who is currently preparing the so called User Consultation Platform, Agriculture panel, taking place in Marseille early December where Precision Agriculture place a central role. CNHi is taking part of this event along with other leading tractor and machinery manufacturers.

EU Space Week

“Enhanced RTK+ accuracy through the incorporation of signals from the Galileo satellite system is a core way in which we can help Case IH and New Holland tractor and combine users be innovative and competitive as they seek to develop a sustainable agriculture to feed an ever-increasing population in an environmentally responsible way,” adds Michael Mahieu, CNH RTK network analyst.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Major farming equipment manufacturer Case New Holland Industrial (CNHi) have enhanced the robustness of their precision agriculture system by adding Galileo signals to their reference network solution.

During last week’s EIMA International Agricultural and Gardening Machinery Exhibit in Bologna, Italy, CNHi announced that its equipment will now be Galileo-capable. CNHi is a global manufacturer of agricultural machinery, including tractors, combine harvesters and balers. Galileo enhances the robustness of its RTK+ correction services.

The CNHi RTK+ guided auto-steering and its related technology ensures a fast, dependable signal and a sub 1.5 cm repeatable accuracy in all conditions, regardless of field location. However, until now, farmers have had to depend on non-civilian American GPS or Russian GLONASS signals when driving in the field. “Enhanced RTK+ accuracy through incorporation of signals from the Galileo satellites is a core way in which we can help CNHi tractor and combine users be innovative and competitive as they seek to help develop a sustainable agriculture to feed an ever-increasing world population in an environmentally responsible way,” says Maxime Rocaboy, Product Marketing Manager at Case IH.

The addition of Galileo also helps minimise the risk of signal failure, which is one of the major reasons why the CNHi RTK network is integrating corrections for Galileo satellites. “By improving positioning and timing information, consistency of signal coverage is enhanced and a robust and reliable signal for accurate pass-to-pass repeatability is ensured,” says Alessio Quatraro, Product Marketing Manager at New Holland. “This benefits farmers by minimising downtime from waiting for a lost signal to be regained and guarantees a consistent and efficient use of seed, fertiliser and crop protection products through parallel passes with minimal overlap, thus maximising a crop’s potential.”

The addition of Galileo means a higher number of available satellites when using RTK corrections, making the service even more robust – especially under challenging circumstances such as working under trees, in forestry or in orchards. The company is currently testing and validating Galileo corrections for its RTK corrective service, which are expected to be available on the market starting in January 2019.

Galileo drives European competitiveness

The use of GNSS technology, including Galileo, is opening new business models and opportunities in the agricultural sector. GNSS-based precision farming gives farmers an unprecedented level of knowledge about their crops, livestock and operations while making the sector more efficient, economically competitive and environmentally sustainable.

According to the European GNSS Agency (GSA), Galileo provides improved positioning and timing information, with significant positive implications for many European farmers. “Galileo is well-positioned to enhance the GNSS performance, allowing users to benefit from an improved monitoring of the distribution and dilution of chemicals, improved parcel yields thanks to customised treatment and more efficient property management,” says Joaquín Reyes, who is currently preparing the so called User Consultation Platform, Agriculture panel, taking place in Marseille early December where Precision Agriculture place a central role. CNHi is taking part of this event along with other leading tractor and machinery manufacturers.

EU Space Week

“Enhanced RTK+ accuracy through the incorporation of signals from the Galileo satellite system is a core way in which we can help Case IH and New Holland tractor and combine users be innovative and competitive as they seek to develop a sustainable agriculture to feed an ever-increasing population in an environmentally responsible way,” adds Michael Mahieu, CNH RTK network analyst.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

You spoke. We listened. The results of the GSA’s 2017 Galileo User Satisfaction Survey are now available.

At the end of 2017, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) launched its Galileo User Satisfaction Survey. This dedicated survey aimed to collect a range of valuable information from users like you. From your perception of and expectations for Galileo, to specific market segment and user needs and suggestions for improving the services provided by the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) – the survey was a unique opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ideas.

Responses from across the market

And share you did. Users of every kind responded to our survey, including end users, receiver and chipset manufacturers, system integrators, service providers, application developers, public authorities and scientific entities. Responses also came from across a wide-range of market segments, including maritime, aviation, rail and road. In total, we received over 100 answers.

Read this: Just published: First report series on User Needs and Requirements on Position, Navigation and Time

Now, the results of this effort have been processed and the main outcomes and conclusions can be read in the Galileo User Satisfaction Survey Report.

According to the report, 55% of all respondents said they were already using Galileo – an impressive figure coming just one year after the launch of Initial Services. Of these users, 89% said they were satisfied with Galileo’s current level of service. Furthermore, 94% would recommend Galileo to other users.

In terms of suggestions for improving Galileo, respondents said they wanted to see improved availability of Galileo services and even better positioning accuracy. As to the GSC, the main suggestions coming from users included a need for a more enhanced website and an increase in range of available GSC products.

“These results show that Galileo is on the right track, with the market quickly adopting the service,” says Aitor Alvarez Rodriguez, GNSS Service Centre Supervisor at the GSA. “The GSA and GSC are building a solid user community ready to reap the many benefits of Galileo.”

Continuous dialogue

Our work doesn’t stop with the survey, however. The process of giving a voice to the growing Galileo User Community and building a continuous dialogue for improving the Galileo system and its services is ongoing. This dialogue will continue at the second EGNSS User Consultation Platform at European Space Week. Held 3 -6 December in Marseille, France, here Galileo users will have the opportunity to share their experiences first-hand. 

“We really appreciate all who contributed and took the time to answer the survey,” says Gian Gherardo Calini, Head of Market Development at the GSA. “Your opinion is our driver, and we will continue to listen to your ideas on how to continuously enhance our services.”

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).