The European GNSS Agency (GSA) will be showcasing Galileo-based innovations during the GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC).

As the premiere mobile show, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Is your phone using Galileo? If so, come visit us in Hall 8, Stand 8.0G17 to get your free ‘I #UseGalileo’ t-shirt.attracts hundreds of thousands of companies, entrepreneurs and users from around the world. It serves as the global stage for debuting and promoting exiting new innovations from drones to smart cars, smartphones and even Artificial Intelligence.

MWC 2018, which takes place on 26 February to 1 March in Barcelona, marks the first time that the GSA will be exhibiting at the show. From Stand 8.0G17 in Hall 8, the Agency will be putting Galileo on full display. “With Galileo Initial Services launching in late 2016, this is the first show where we have Galileo products on display at MWC” says Justyna Redelkiewicz, in charge of LBS Market Development at the GSA. “With 75 million Galileo-enabled smartphones sold last year and more models coming to market all the time it’s really an exciting time for Galileo.”

The GSA encourages everyone to share in the excitement by visiting their booth and learning more about how Galileo enhances smartphones and other mobile devices. “We will have a range of Galileo-enabled smartphones on display, along with GNSS experts ready to show you how Galileo can improve your phone’s performance,” adds Redelkiewicz. “And if you come with a smartphone that is already using Galileo, we’ll give you a free ‘I #UseGalileo’ t-shirt to commemorate your MWC experience.”

Drones on display

In addition to smartphones, the GSA booth will also serve as a showcase on how Galileo-enabled drones benefit a range of different applications, including surveying, search and rescue and agriculture. The stand will feature displays and presentations on a number of EU-funded drone projects, including selected GSA-managed H2020 projects including 5-lives, EASY-PV, Gauss, Geovision and Mapkite, and the Argonaut solution developed within the Barcelona ESA Business Incubation Centre. 

For instance, the EASY PV project uses remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to provide a more effective and cost-efficient solution for inspecting photovoltaic (PV) plants. The automated system acquires, geo-references and processes both visual and thermal images using an RPAS equipped with a high-accuracy Galileo receiver.

MapKITE, a mapping-based project exhibiting at the GSA booth, integrates Galileo-capable drones with terrestrial mobile mapping systems to provide surveyors and mappers with an end-to-end solution for 3D high-resolution corridor mapping. “While terrestrial mobile mapping systems are becoming a standard surveying tool, their use is restricted due to their limited and insufficient view from the ground,” says Project Coordinator Pere Molina. “As mapping of small areas via drones is now a reality, this project combines the best of both worlds by incorporating aerial and terrestrial components.”    

According to the GSA, many drone manufacturers see GNSS as the answer to the growing need for highly accurate and reliable performance to ensure safe drone navigation, especially in light of the booming market for professional applications that also involve operations beyond line of sight. Luckily, GNSS offers a solution. “In order to navigate efficiently and safely, drones are becoming increasingly dependent on satellite navigation signals, including Galileo, for their robust positioning and orientation information. Multi-constellation receivers using Galileo increase availability and accuracy, an enabler for demanding operations such as those in urban areas,” says Carmen Aguilera in charge of Aviation Market Development at the GSA. “It is because of this robust navigation that drones and all of the innovations seen at MWC depend on GNSS becoming the essential infrastructure for the technology of tomorrow.”

To learn more about these or any of the other projects that will be on display, please contact market@gsa.europa.eu in advance to schedule an appointment.

MWC 2018 takes place 26 February to 1 March at Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via. The GSA is located in Hall 8, Stand 8.0G17.

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