“Conventional measurement is done visually where the operator cuts a 3m mesh and uses a spirit level. These operators need skill and experience to measure accurately and obtain repeatable results. We want the results to be accurate, no matter who does the measurement,” Mr. Morita continued. “We believe we need to show the results of the installation as data since the work is done by a robot.”

Mr. Yamauchi said that, with the GLS-2200 and Rithm, “we can visualize the results using a heat map with 1mm increments. This means we can offer a complete package, including the finished inspection. This is the most significant benefit of these products. The construction industry seems hesitant to use scanners for inspection because of the expense. We can reduce the cost by offering a packaged service and differentiate ourselves from other construction services. However, there is still a need to check the measured values with a mesh. We need to figure out how we can present the information better,” he said.

To face this challenge, Takahiro Saiki, from the Floor Tech Promotion Department in the Tokyo branch came to the Topcon BuildTech Building Construction Solution Center and took a series of training courses from measurement to analysis. “I did not have any problem operating the machine or software. I was able to use them immediately,” he said. “We will continue to pursue the best way to display the results, such as setting thresholds in analysis and putting the mesh on the heat map.”

Finally, we asked Mr. Yamauchi about the prospects for the company. “I would like to develop this method as a rental system so that any craftsman in Japan can use it. A major issue in the construction industry is the lack of skilled workers. We have a long way to go in the use of ICT in building construction, and we would like to help the industry by introducing mechanized and robotized systems.”