RTS(Robotic Total Stations) Used In Surveying
Robotic Total Stations help revolutionize design calculations, save time and money, and improve productivity. But how do they really work, and what is the future of this technology?
A robotic total station is an electronic optical device used for surveying and construction. This technique combines an electronic theodolite and electronic distance measurement (EDM) to measure vertical and horizontal angles and the distance from the unit to a specific point. Traditionally a manual instrument, robotic technology has revolutionized the tool and made it more efficient than ever.
The History of Surveying
Before the construction industry dreamed of this technique, the origins of surveying can be traced back to ancient Egypt at least 1400 BC. During this time, the Egyptians used a variety of tools, including ropes and skates, to manually explore the country for projects such as building pyramids and taxing property.
Fast forward to the early 1800s and with the European Industrial Revolution, measurement was officially recognized as a profession. Today, with the development of new roads, buildings, and railroads, surveying has become more important than ever for the proper development of infrastructure.
At that time, surface surveys were often used for field surveys. Use an airplane, tripod, and viewfinder (observation unit). The method involves attaching an airplane to the mount at the desired location, placing paper on it for drawing, and using a viewfinder, such as a ruler, to line up a distant object, establish direction, and measure the angle.
The surveyor then draws a plan, finds measurements and angles using alidades, and moves the plan as needed.
The plantable method allows surveyors to draw plans while observing the area to be measured — meaning that observation and on-site drawing can be done simultaneously. By comparing the drawing work with the actual site, this method provides a simple and inexpensive method of measurement.
However, this method has many limitations and will be replaced by technical advances. For example, this method is not suitable for use in inclement weather conditions, and many other accessories, such as a compass, are needed to improve accuracy. The aircraft itself is also heavy, which makes it difficult to transport to different places.
Finally, possible human and instrumental errors in the drawing and drawing did not allow very precise work, so this method was subsequently replaced by the theodolite.
The theodolite consists of a mobile telescope. It is a precision optical unit whose telescope rotates around a horizontal and vertical axis to measure an angle. The theodolite was originally a non-digital device and was later upgraded to an electronic device, and today non-electronic devices are rarely used.
As technology evolves, electronic theodolite has been combined with EDM in modern full drives.
What is a total robot position?
Simply put, a robotic unit is a remote robotic total station that can be controlled remotely, meaning that only one driver is needed on site instead of the traditional two-person metering and assistance group.
Previously, field workers had to rotate the entire position vertically and horizontally to align them with the observing or starting position, but the robotic total station follows human guidance by following the prism that the inspector had at the end of its rod.
More on the Robotic Total Station and solutions are out there: https://www.satlab.com.se/product_uri/slt-series-total-station/
