LiDAR news has a post and video showing an autonomous, fast, nimble, constrained-environment (including flying a 2m wide plane through a 2.5m high carpark) UAV that uses only an inertial measurement unit and a laser rangefinder to navigate, and avoid obstacles, with all the processing done on-board – no GPS required.

 

For all the computer geeks out there (myself included), Very Spatial have answered (via BoingBoing) the question burning on all our minds: what file compression is the Mars Curiosity rover using?

 

A similar story was posted on O’Reilly Radar that links it to JM Hughes’ thoughts on the technical processes behind the images sent by the Phoenix lander in 2008, and offers a free chapter from his book Beautiful Data, which covers the topic.

 

GIS User has a post outlining and reviewing a handy Android app that tackles the problem of indoor navigation, using WiFi.

 

The All Points Blog has a post talking of SIBA lobbying the NZ government to recognise that there is a skills shortage in GIS, and have the profession added to the long-term skill shortage list. Should something like this be happening in Australia, too?

 

Google Maps Mania has a rather grisly map that outlines the locations and dates of the 58 mass murder shootings that have occurred in the US since 1982. It even includes such information as weapon used, if it was acquired legally, and where it was obtained.

 

Prefer something a little more wholesome? Why not check out the Famous Writers’ Homes map, which usually includes StreetView imagery, and includes the location of 10 literary greats, including Hemingway, Kerouac, and Shakespeare.