An autonomous robot dog has joined the survey team at National Highways in a ‘spot’ of innovation for its geotechnical surveys.

Spot the dog: the robot provides a safer and cost-effective option for inaccessible areas

The four-legged robot is being trialled across a number of locations in the South West to capture data remotely in difficult-to-reach locations and across various terrains alongside the motorway and major A-road network.

Developed by Boston Dynamics, the robot provides a safer and cost-effective option where inaccessible areas present difficulties and challenges to geotechnical inspectors.

Spot has already been put through its paces by the AECOM and BAM teams at National Highways’ Development Centre at Moreton-in-Marsh last summer, where the robot’s capabilities were tested over a number of highways settings.

He’s now being used in a first ‘live trial’ alongside the M5 in Somerset, using cameras and a Leica lidar tracker. The company is also examining more locations for other geotechnical surveys throughout the year.

Guy Swains, engineering manager within National Highways’ South West Geotechnical team, said: “The initial, ‘proof of concept’ testing has been encouraging and we’re now live trialling the robotic tool with a view to utilising it via our contractors in future survey work, particularly in locations which present challenges for our traditional methods.”

Matt Ewing, BAM Ritchies’ business development manager, said: “Technology can keep our people safe and repeatedly capture high-quality data, and having Spot undertake these trials demonstrates capability and evidence for further trials while making efficiencies in the delivery of work today.

“It’s about finding the right applications, and the team is focused on realising Spot’s potential.”