On construction sites, mobile robotics is used predominantly for one purpose: the recurring capture of the state of construction. A laser scanner on a self-driving platform covers the same routes at fixed intervals and produces a point cloud that is compared against the building model and against the state of the previous week.
The benefit lies less in saving surveying work than in completeness. Deviations between planning and execution become visible early, construction progress is documented objectively, and in the event of a dispute a dated record of the state exists. In discussions about change orders, this can be worth more than the working time saved.
Further applications: documentation before installation levels are closed, checking of safety equipment and fall protection, condition surveys of existing buildings before conversion.
Anyone considering this use should begin with an accompanied test capture before procurement is discussed. The question is not whether the technology works – it does – but whether the effort for ongoing adjustment is in proportion to the benefit.
For the fundamental assessment: The guide for operators contains a quick check that is also applicable here – in particular the criterion of a stable environment.
Change log (1)
- 5 October 2026 Initial publication First publication of the English version.