New partnership to integrate a range of data collection tech for construction with Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot platform.

A device that may have appeared a pie-in-the-sky novelty on initial announcement has now matured into a most serious offering, according to the latest announcement from Trimble.

Under their new partnership with Boston Dynamics, Trimble has exclusive rights to sell and support the jointly-developed robot that integrates a range of precise location, total station and scanning technologies with an autonomous walking robot, ‘Spot’.

The platform has been trialled in the field in challenging outdoor construction environments under an early adoption program by US construction and engineering firm Mortenson.

Martin Holmgren, general manager, Building Field Solutions at Trimble, said that Spot can safely automate a range of data collection tasks for construction and asset inspection with consistency.

“Robots will play a crucial role in automated construction workflows and can augment the human workforce by handling dirty, dull and dangerous tasks,” he said.

“Our experience with early adopters like Mortenson gave us visibility into the transformative potential of an integrated solution that seamlessly marries a world-class robot with construction-specific sensors and workflows. We’re excited about this alliance and the potential to bring unprecedented improvements in safety, quality and productivity to our construction customers.”

The Spot platform will be available through distribution partners worldwide in Q2 2021, with an opportunity to preview the new robot through Trimble’s early adoption program in advance of Spot’s general release.

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