Case Study: Faster and Safer Surveying with Bechtel and Civ Robotics

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Project Details

Before instituting Civ Robotics’ CivDot, Bechtel, like all contractors, employed traditional manual surveys for solar projects. The process involved multiple 2-person crews using handheld GPS devices, consuming time and resources. Human errors and data inconsistencies could hinder accurate results. With an expanding solar portfolio, Bechtel sought innovative solutions and a standardized approach for improved surveying solutions.

Capture

Objectives

With an increasing solar project portfolio, Bechtel sought to become safer, more efficient, and more accurate in its site surveying activities.

Outcomes

  • 6x increase in coordinate collection - CivDot gathered 125 points per hour whereas manual teams were only able to capture 20 per hour
  • Reduction in safety incidents by no longer requiring workers to carry heavy equipment across challenging terrain

    • “CivDot reshaped our operational landscape, allowing us to charge ahead in a competitive market.”

    Taylor Carlson, Site Manager, Bechtel

 

Next Steps & Future Use

Bechtel has leveraged CivDot at two solar projects to-date and is preparing to employ it for an additional two facilities in 2024. The four solar facilities combined will produce enough clean renewable energy to power more than 100,000 homes.

Bechtel's partnership with Civ Robotics has helped to propel its approach to solar project surveying, driving operational excellence, and enhancing safety across its worksites. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Bechtel has not only overcome longstanding challenges but also positioned itself for continued success in the rapidly evolving renewable energy industry.

BuiltWorlds Analysis

This case study is one of the increasing number of examples of robotics solutions finding key opportunities to significantly enhance productivity, safety, and accuracy. While adoption of robotics solutions is not widespread, more than 50% of benchmarking data respondents indicated they are piloting or using robotics solutions in some capacity. While far from a world of humanoid-led jobsites, the industry is beginning to find meaningful opportunities to use robotics to meet their needs. The primary reason for robotics adoption, according to benchmarking data, is increased productivity of jobsite tasks.