Robot dogs patrol construction site

February 7, 2020

A Montreal construction site is using two roving robot dogs for safety and monitoring—apparently the first time in the world that such robots are used daily on an active work site.
The robots, designed and built by Boston Dynamics, were rented by Pomerleau of Montreal, one of Canada’s largest construction firms.
The robots walk like a dog and can navigate varied terrain. They weigh 70 pounds, stand less than three-feet high and come with onboard cameras that automatically download photos at the end of a site tour.
“The camera is connected to a documentation platform that allows Pomerleau to analyze the work site’s progress using virtual design and construction software. The photos can be used to track the progress of the project and to see if it looks to be coming in under or over budget, and if it is on schedule,” according to a report in the Montreal Gazette.
Pomerleau said the robots are a pilot project that will last six months.
These robots run on rechargeable batteries that are good for eight hours, and have sensors on all sides to help navigate around obstacles.
Debby Cordeiro, vice-president of communications and marketing at Pomerleau said the goals of the program include assessing health and safety issues and providing an extra level of quality control.