At TinySurveyor, we’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the construction industry. With efficiency, safety, and precision more critical than ever, our autonomous layout robot, the TinySurveyor Terra, is transforming how construction teams approach stakeout and marking tasks. In this article, we’ll share how our technology is streamlining operations, improving safety, and delivering outstanding accuracy on job sites around the world.
Conventional layout processes are often labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially on large-scale or high-risk projects. Typically, a team is required to manually measure and mark layout points, often putting workers in challenging site conditions or dangerous traffic zones.
Take Pike Industries, for example. They previously relied on a two-person team to measure and mark the road crown offset from the interstate centerline guardrail. One person would hold a tape measure on the guardrail, while the other marked the crown. Then, a three-person crew would use a taut string to guide and paint the line. On night projects, a truck with a light tower would follow the crew. Layout crews could range from three to five people per lane mile — and even on a productive night, they might only manage two miles of markings.
With the TinySurveyor Terra, we’ve developed a smarter, safer, and more efficient solution. Our robot autonomously paints points and lines with up to 2 cm accuracy, guided by GPS or total station systems. It’s compatible with most leading survey setups and is built to handle tough site conditions.
Key Features of the TinySurveyor Terra:
Autonomous Operation: Navigates using GPS guidance to mark points and lines automatically.
High Accuracy: Delivers markings within 2 cm (¾”) of target positions.
Versatile Integration: Works seamlessly with most survey GPS and total station equipment.
Durability: Built to withstand the elements and operate for over 8 hours on a single charge.
Efficient Speed: Travels at up to 2.5 mph on smooth surfaces.
TinySurveyor Terra consistently delivers measurable results across a variety of construction environments:
Reduced Labor Requirements: The robot minimizes the need for large crews — a single operator with a crash truck can handle layout on interstate projects.
Faster Layout: With speeds up to 2.5 mph, layout work that once took days can now be completed in hours.
Improved Safety: The operator stays safely inside a vehicle while the robot operates in live traffic areas, reducing risk.
Consistent Accuracy: GPS-guided markings eliminate human error and ensure precise, repeatable layouts.
Professional Results: Whether on roads or runways, straight paving joints and well-aligned crown lines boost both appearance and performance.
TinySurveyor is used in a wide range of construction scenarios, including:
Milling Machine Guidelines: Ensures the road crown is maintained throughout the milling process.
Paving Lane Layout: Lays out straight, consistent paving lanes for roads and airports.
Utility & Fixture Marking: Accurately marks the locations of manholes or runway lights that may have been paved over.
Final Paint Layouts: Perfect for laying out road markings and airport striping ahead of painting.
We believe TinySurveyor Terra is a game-changer for construction layout. By automating time-consuming, manual tasks, we help contractors save time, reduce costs, and keep their crews safe — all while delivering industry-leading accuracy and consistency.
If you’re ready to see how TinySurveyor Terra can transform your next project, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to show you how our technology can streamline your operations and raise the bar for layout work.
