Topcon Positioning Group is launching a new local positioning system (LPS) for concrete paving. The LPS Paving System is designed to provide a string-less paving solution in conditions when GNSS signals are blocked or unavailable. It uses multiple Topcon PS series robotic total stations — tracking two prisms mounted to the concrete paver — for steering and elevation control.

“This robotic-based system does not encounter sensor outages from bridges and tight paving lanes, including sound walls and active traffic on a mainline project, which could be a problem using GPS,” says Brian Lingobardo, Topcon­ 3D road construction systems manager.

The LPS system uses the new MC-i4 receiver with LongLink for local communications between the robots. Multiple robots can be set up ahead of time for seamless transitions and without the need to stop to switch total stations.

“The robots provide very accurate data to the paver’s control system and in turn the results are very impressive,” Lingobardo says.

About Topcon Positioning Group

Headquartered in Livermore, Calif., Topcon Positioning Group designs, manufactures and distributes precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, BIM, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. Brands include Topcon, Sokkia, Tierra, Wachendorff Elektronik, Digi-Star and 2LS. Parent Topcon Corporation, founded in 1932, is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.