Testing of robotic total stations for dynamic tracking

Abstract

Robotic Total Stations (RTSs) were first invented by Geodimeter in the year 1990. In the recent years, 3D machine guidance systems have increased the productivity of construction works. Most machine guidance systems use RTSs with automatic targeting and tracking for position determination. The major applications for machine guidance systems can be found in construction industry and mining for the guidance of dozers, motor graders, excavators, scrapers as well as in agricultural applications for the guidance of tractors and harvesters. Motorization and automation of the RTSs began a new, faster and more effective way for surveying measurement. Development of the RTSs with automatic searching and tracking opened new possibilities for their utilization in all areas of surveying, especially in the area of the engineering surveying. RTSs with automatic searching and tracking, offer the possibility to track and order cinematic processes such as movement and deformations of the building structures. Since little information is known about the dynamic accuracy of RTSs in their real-time operation, the aim of this project is to determine the dynamic accuracy and reliability of RTSs. It is vital to test various types of instruments in order to compare the results to the various manufacturers' specification. However, further research and testing will be carried out in the near future in order to obtain the relevant accuracies and reliabilities of the various types of RTSs.