Surveyors, start your engines

What does the Grand Prix mean for surveying?

A chance for Victorian school students to learn all about the amazing technology that surveyors and spatial scientists use every day!

That’s what went down at the Grand Prix Innovation and Industry Precinct this past March. Read on to find out about all the cool things that went on during this event.

Stepping into another version of our world

For over 50 years, Taylors has been a respected design, surveying and geospatial science company. At the 2018 Grand Prix, they took the opportunity to showcase their expertise at the Innovation and Industry Precinct – and they brought along a host of exciting activities for students to explore.

Because technology like drones, GPS and robotic total stations can be used to create digital versions of our real-world surroundings, students had the chance to venture into virtual and augmented reality worlds – with the aid of VR headsets, of course!

Taylors demonstrated the power of these scanning technologies by producing digital copies of famous Victorian landmarks and locations. There was also some eye-boggling VR art on display for students to explore, courtesy of acclaimed artist Richard Payne.

An inspiration for students

It’s fair to say that the hundreds of students that came through the event were impressed! While many of those that came through the precinct enjoyed the VR experience – and quite a few entered the competition to win an actual drone, sponsored by the Surveying Task Force – it was clear that everyone there walked away more knowledgeable about surveying and geospatial technology than they were before.

“That experience was amazing I loved it so much,” offered one excited learner, Ben H. “I would love to do something like this in the future.”

The feeling was shared by those in attendance. Kiran N. learnt that he’d have to “measure the latitude and longitude to sculpture a 3D model of the landscape”. Harry V. thought the day was “really fun” and Kieren W. said it was “very cool”.

Zero in on surveying

Want to learn more about the technology that backs surveyors in the field – and the outside-the-box ways that surveying can change our lives?

Head over to our projects page to get the lowdown on a huge variety of scenarios that surveyors can come in handy. You’ll find everything from military applications to Mayan archaeological projects there! Then, there is also the technology tab which goes into more detail on things like GPS, underwater tows and drones.