A robotic total station is one of the most advanced electronic instruments used in modern surveying. But what are the potential advantages and disadvantages of these surveying instruments? Read on to find out.

THE PROFESSIONALS

The biggest advantage of robotics over the optical station is that it has a motor that allows it to be operated remotely. This allows the surveyor to be away from the instrument, which MAY allow you to split the survey team into one person. This is a SIGNIFICANT savings for the surveyor.

Most modern optical total stations include the theodolite, the distance meter AND the data collection all in the same instrument. Robotics just adds the robotic servo motors. The robots work all day and don’t complain. They do not need water or bathroom breaks. They don’t go to bed drunk or call in sick when you have an important job to do. They only require a charged battery. The robots are also capable of turning at more precise angles.

All of these advantages lead to a lower cost of operation since fewer people are required to do the job.

THE CONS

With the introduction of robotic total stations, many surveyors find no need for an assistant and choose to survey as a “one man” crew. As such, this means that someone may be unemployed. Of course, you could keep that person and train them for another job or use them to increase production.

For as long as electronic total stations have been around, surveyors have had a tendency to treat these instruments as “black boxes,” meaning that you trust any number that comes out without question. Although today’s survey instruments are extremely useful, they are still just tools. Remember the saying “garbage in, garbage out”.

With the total station itself, an issue could be electrical malfunctions, especially in extreme weather conditions. A constant power supply is essential to keep the machine running. Power or signal interruption could occur once you lose your power and this could lead to incorrect data and could greatly affect the whole project.

All electronic survey equipment requires routine maintenance and care. While these instruments are somewhat rugged, rough handling and harsh conditions can cause costly problems. But, with proper care, this could be alleviated.

The most notable disadvantage of robotic total stations is the price. These machines typically run about twice the speed of an optical total station. While this DOES require a substantial investment, offsetting the cost of labor, the payback on this type of equipment should be relatively quick. My experience is that I could pay the cost within a year or less.

In short, a robotic total station is a great piece of machinery and will definitely help surveyors reduce their workload, not to mention their production costs. But, as we mentioned earlier, there are other things to consider when contemplating the purchase of one of these advanced surveying equipment.