Robotic Total Stations for Smart Structural Monitoring

Automated precision, remote control, and real-time data capture for structural diagnostics.

Overview

Robotic Total Stations are revolutionizing the field of structural monitoring and construction surveying by automating the tasks traditionally performed by human operators. These smart instruments integrate high-precision distance measurement, angular tracking, and remote control functionalities to enable continuous and unattended measurement of structural displacements, deformations, and movements. Especially useful for dynamic or long-term monitoring of bridges, dams, buildings, and other infrastructure assets, these systems significantly reduce manual labor and enhance data reliability. Automated Structural Tech, a B2B company supporting organizations across North America, delivers leading-edge robotic total station systems to civil engineering firms, structural consultants, and infrastructure operators. Our solutions are built for performance, remote automation, and seamless data integration, ensuring better decision-making throughout your infrastructure lifecycle. We help clients turn complex field environments into manageable, automated, and actionable data workflows.

Core Components of Robotic Total Stations

In addition to offering products and systems developed by our team and trusted partners for Robotic Total Stations, we are proud to carry top-tier technologies from Global Advanced Operations Tek Inc. (GAO Tek Inc.) and Global Advanced Operations RFID Inc. (GAO RFID Inc.). These reliable, high-quality products and systems enhance our ability to deliver comprehensive technologies, integrations, and services you can trust. Where relevant, we have provided direct links to select products and systems from GAO Tek Inc. and GAO RFID Inc.

Motorized Total Stations with servo drives – Motion & Position Sensors provide sub-mm tracking for deformation monitoring of insured infrastructure.
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) modules – Wi-Fi HaLow End Devices offer low-power, long-range communication for distance measurements in finance-owned properties.
360° Reflector Prisms & Retroreflectors – BLE Gateways, Beacons & Accessories enable real-time triangulation and alignment in asset mapping for insurance audits.
Dual-axis Compensators for tilt correction – Z-Wave End Devices provide orientation feedback in mobile tilt monitoring applications in finance sector testing.
Integrated GNSS Modules – GPS IoT Trackers/Devices deliver geo-referenced data for structural behavior tracking in high-risk asset zones.

Automated Measurement Routines for periodic and event-triggered monitoring
Structural Monitoring Software Suites with 3D visualization and alerting
Field Data Collection Apps with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
Cloud Dashboards for historical data visualization and remote collaboration

Real-Time Data Uploads to secure cloud environments
Remote Configuration and Device Control
Integration APIs for external BIM, SCADA, or asset management platforms
User Permission Controls and Backup Services

Key Features and Functionalities

Motorized auto-tracking of moving or stationary targets
Real-time displacement, drift, and tilt measurement
Remote operation via mobile or desktop platforms
Precision of up to ±1 mm in long-range monitoring
Dual-axis correction and real-time angle compensation
Wireless communication via 4G/LTE, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi
Alarming and notification systems for threshold exceedance
Secure and redundant cloud storage

Integrations and Compatibility

Compatible with third-party prisms and GNSS units
Seamless integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms
API-ready for Smart Infrastructure Management Systems
Works with SCADA and real-time industrial control systems
Supports integration with GAO RFID sensors and IoT gateways

Benefits

Labor Efficiency: Eliminates need for continuous onsite operation
High Precision: Detects micro-scale structural movement
Scalability: Can be deployed across large and complex structures
Remote Accessibility: Fully controllable via cloud or mobile interface
Operational Safety: Enables monitoring in hazardous environments
Data Continuity: Ensures 24/7 logging and trend analysis

Applications

Structural health monitoring of bridges, dams, tunnels, and towers

Movement tracking during excavation and tunneling

Post-earthquake or post-blast stability evaluations

Construction deformation monitoring

Historic monument preservation

Foundation and retaining wall settlement analysis

Industries Served

Civil and structural engineering

Transportation & Rail

Energy & Utilities

Construction & Project Management

Municipal & Government Infrastructure

Environmental Monitoring

Applicable U.S. & Canadian Standards (Partial List)

Case Studies

Case Study 1 – United States

Client: State Department of Transportation
Project: Long-span suspension bridge deformation tracking
Solution: Deployed robotic total stations with automated alerts for excessive deck displacement during seasonal thermal shifts. Resulted in 30% faster maintenance response times.

Case Study 2 – United States

Client: Metro Rail Project, California
Project: Tunnel deformation monitoring during boring operations
Solution: Total station network integrated with BIM and early-warning alerts. Helped detect a 2 mm daily drift in retaining walls, preventing costly remediation delays.

Case Study 3 – Canada

Client: Provincial Infrastructure Authority, Alberta
Project: Dam wall stability monitoring after heavy rainfall
Solution: Robotic total stations detected 5 mm differential displacement. Prompted preventative maintenance, preserving structural integrity and public safety.

Looking to integrate robotic total stations into your
infrastructure project?

Have questions about which system is best for your needs? Contact Automated Structural Tech today to speak with
our structural monitoring specialists. We’re here to help you select, deploy, and optimize robotic total station systems
built for North American infrastructure challenges.