Fetch, Spot! Robot dog gathers construction data
Construction Technology implemented in the UK.
Trimble (a technology company connecting the digital and physical worlds) has released the X7 3D laser scanner and Trimble FieldLink software that is integrated with Boston Dynamics’ (a robotic development company) robot dog, Spot.
Trimble has worked with Boston Dynamics to give Spot, the robot dog, the ability to walk around a hazardous construction site gathering data.
Trimble’s 3D data capture technology, integrated with Spot, enables a continuous flow of information between the field and the office for consistent, on-going documentation of jobsite progress.
The integration is focused on the automated capture of field construction data through the use of Trimble 3D capture technology and the Spot robot. The autonomous workflow for the X7 laser scanner uses fully integrated Spot robot controls in FieldLink software to create a predefined path of waypoints for Spot to follow and collect laser scans. The data collection missions can be scheduled to run on a regular and consistent basis for design validation and progress reporting. The advantage of this combination is increased efficiency and real-time, as-built data analysis in the field and in the office.
Laser scans collected using the X7 scanner and the Spot robot can be tied to a jobsite project coordinate system, as well as individual scan stations. The data is collected, and then made into a composite point cloud in real-time on the Trimble tablet controller before leaving the site. While performing autonomous operations, Spot’s docking station enables the in-field charging of batteries on both the robot and the X7 3D laser scanner, and also provides the continuous transfer of data through a Gigabit Ethernet connection to the office.