Integration of robotics into reality capture has arrived in the construction industry. You can see it on projects where it is either walking on four legs or rolling around printing layout. Robotics is the next step in the construction technology revolution—SLAM and deck printing are a couple examples out there today.

Take the robot called “Spot.” The Waltham, Mass.-based company has teamed up with Trimble, Westminster, Colo., to introduce the quadruped robot. Outfitted with a LiDAR scanner, Spot uses SLAM to autonomously navigate active job sites, capturing 3D data while avoiding obstacles in real time. According to reporting by Geo Week News, several contractors are using Spot for routine site documentation, progress tracking and as-built verification. This in turn is freeing up field staff for higher-value tasks. On a large social media tech campus project, Spot reduced manual photo documentation time by 60% and flagged several floor boxes that were misplaced compared to the model before slab pour, saving thousands in rework.

Then there’s SitePrint by HP, Palo Alto, Calif. SitePrint is a robotic layout printer that uses SLAM to align with digital models and contract documents that accurately prints layout directly on the deck. Electrical contractors have begun using it for conduit paths, box locations, layout points and wall stub-outs. On a recent hospital project, SitePrint reduced layout labor by 70% and eliminated coordination errors tied to manual chalk lines. One thing to note is that the SitePrint robot does require some input from a point layout system, but the effect is minimal compared to a two-person measuring team.

SitePrint by HP prints layout directly on the deck.

Major general contractors such as Hensel Phelps, Greeley, Colo.; Skanska, New York; and Turner Construction Co., New York, are turning to HP SitePrint to streamline layout workflows and improve accuracy. On complex infrastructure jobs, Skanska used SitePrint at the LIRR Penn Station project to slash layout time from 7 hours to just 45 minutes. Hensel Phelps has integrated SitePrint into BIM-driven workflows to accelerate MEP coordination on large government and commercial builds. Turner Construction piloted the robot on healthcare projects, where precision layout is critical for prefabrication. In Texas, Byrne Construction Services, Fort Worth, Texas, deployed SitePrint on a healthcare project to speed up wall and conduit stub-up layouts, reducing manual rework and increasing productivity. Southland Industries, Garden Grove, Calif., used SitePrint to lay out over 1,100 points in 5 hours on a data center project, five times faster than traditional methods. These firms are proving that robotic layout is providing an advantage in a very competitive market.

By combining SLAM-enabled robotics with BIM data, electrical contractors are simplifying the jump from design to field layout. HP SitePrint offers an approachable, cost-effective entry into layout automation, especially compared to high-end robots like Spot, while still delivering precision and accuracy. Contractors can import coordinated models, print directly on the slab and reduce manual layout time dramatically. Rather than replacing skilled labor, this technology streamlines it, which in turn frees up electricians to focus on running crews, installation, quality control and high-value tasks.

Below are a few steps for electrical contractors who want to get started with using robotics with reality capture:

• Contact a vendor: Reach out to HP, Trimble or an authorized reseller to request a demo, quote or more information about their robotic reality capture system.
• Schedule a demo: Arrange a live or virtual demo to evaluate whether the system fits your project needs and environment.
• Choose a package: Select the right hardware and software bundle, ensuring compatibility with your BIM/CAD tools.
• Train your team: Provide hands-on training for your layout crews and VDC staff on preparing files, operating the robot and troubleshooting.
• Run a pilot project: Test the robotic reality capture system on a small section of your project to validate accuracy, improve workflows and measure ROI.

Photos and video courtesy of Jared Christman. Header image is SitePrint by HP.