Technologists' Practice July 2007
Electronic Engineering
Integrated Hardware / Software solutions
YEARS 11-13

Cover image of case study

Surveylab

Started in Wellington in 2003, Surveylab has quickly become a global leader in GPS-laser technology and service, particularly through the innovative ikeGPS line — the first GPS-laser device to integrate a digital camera with verifiable, standoff position capture.The Surveylab team is committed and passionate about producing cutting-edge solutions for customers in a wide range of industries. Products are supported by a global network of distributors and value-added resellers. Surveylab technology is used by defence forces, city councils, police, federal authorities, and utility companies around the world.

Focus points include: Additional Material:

Characteristics of Technology

  • Interdisciplinary practice

Characteristics of Technological Outcomes

  • Technological outcomes as products and/or systems

Company web site - case studies
www.ikegps.com/

YouTube - Promotional video
www.youtube.com/
watch?v=WAluOFyKr6k

Howstuffworks.com - How GPS works
videos.howstuffworks.com/
nasa/2191-how-gps-works-video.htm

Wikipedia - GIS Technology
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Geographic_information_system

Techlink – Enterprise links
www.techlink.org.nz/Case-studies/
enterprise/st-patricks-survey-lab/

Teaching Activities

Discussion starters:

  • Explain how the collaboration of technologists from different disciplines impacted on the Technological Practice leading to the development and refinement of the ike systems.
  • Why can the developed outcome be considered as both a system and a product?