GNSS Helmet Enables One-Person Surveying! Next-Generation Technology That Also Balances Safety Management

Table of Contents

• What is a GNSS helmet?

• The need for and benefits of one-person surveying

• Improved work efficiency with a GNSS helmet

• Safety management enabled by the GNSS helmet

• GNSS helmets as an expected next-generation technology

• Simple surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

A GNSS helmet is a next-generation surveying tool that integrates high-precision GNSS positioning functions into a work helmet. Antennas and receivers such as GPS are mounted on safety helmets that are always worn on civil engineering and construction sites, allowing workers to measure their positions with centimeter-level accuracy (about 0.4 in) simply by wearing the helmet. Traditionally, surveying required setting surveying instruments (total stations or GNSS receivers) on tripods or poles, or surveying staff carrying poles while moving to take measurements. With a GNSS helmet, the worker themselves becomes a “moving surveying instrument,” obtaining position information without holding any devices. This makes one-person surveying (one-man surveying) easier and safer than ever.

What is a GNSS helmet?

As the name implies, a GNSS helmet refers to a helmet with built-in GNSS functionality. GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is the collective term for satellite positioning systems including GPS, and using correction techniques such as RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) can raise positioning accuracy to errors of just a few centimeters (a few in). GNSS helmets mount this high-precision GNSS receiver on the top of the helmet. The worker simply wears the helmet as standard protective gear and, linked to their body movements, can obtain their position coordinates in real time. Because positioning is continuously performed without special operations, a “measure while moving” style becomes possible. This is far more efficient than measurements taken by holding conventional surveying instruments in place.

The need for and benefits of one-person surveying

In recent years, the construction industry has faced severe labor shortages, making it necessary to complete tasks efficiently with limited personnel. One solution attracting attention is one-person surveying—surveying carried out by a single worker. Traditionally, surveying was typically done by teams of two or more. For example, one person operates the surveying instrument while another stands at a distance holding a staff or prism. However, the spread of auto-tracking total stations and networked RTK-GNSS has been creating an environment where surveys can increasingly be completed by a single person.

There are many benefits to enabling one-person surveying. First is reduced labor cost. If one person can handle tasks, labor costs decrease accordingly, enabling projects to proceed with smaller teams. It also reduces the hassle of arranging personnel and makes scheduling easier, increasing on-site flexibility. Because there is no need to gather multiple people, surveys can be performed on short notice. Furthermore, if one person can perform surveying, small on-site measurement tasks can be handled quickly. The ability to “measure immediately when needed” is a major advantage for shortening construction periods and improving quality control. For example, if a site supervisor can measure and record necessary points themselves, there is no need to wait for specialized survey teams, preventing work stoppages. In productivity improvement initiatives in construction such as i-Construction promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, labor and effort reduction are key themes, and one-person surveying can be a pivotal technology.

Improved work efficiency with a GNSS helmet

Introducing GNSS helmets boosts the efficiency of one-person surveying even further. In traditional single-person surveying, the worker needed to operate a surveying pole or receiver in one hand and hold a controller or tablet in the other, sometimes spending time setting up or packing equipment. With a GNSS helmet, the positioning device is fixed overhead, so the worker can move with both hands free. For example, on slopes or unstable footing, workers can hold handrails or surrounding structures while moving safely and stop at required points to take immediate measurements. Because there is no need to constantly switch or set up equipment, data can be collected continuously while walking the site.

Specifically, the efficiency gains from a GNSS helmet include:

• Reduced carrying burden: There is no need to carry large equipment other than the helmet, making movement around the site lighter. Because it is worn continuously, workers can measure immediately when needed, enabling high mobility.

• Shorter setup time: Unlike stationary surveying instruments, there is no complex equipment setup after arriving on site. Turn on the power and put on the helmet to start surveying right away.

• Ability to perform simultaneous tasks: With both hands free, workers can carry out other tasks or safety checks while surveying. For example, taking notes while surveying or issuing instructions via radio becomes easy.

• Streamlined data collection: GNSS helmets can automatically record position information as digital data, eliminating later manual input. Measured data can be saved on tablets or smartphones on site and shared to the cloud.

In these ways, GNSS helmets make on-site surveying simpler and faster. Even when one person surveys a large area, continuous data acquisition without stopping can significantly reduce total work time. For example, in road construction sites, a worker wearing a GNSS helmet can walk the site and record measurement points, allowing route surveys to be completed in a short time while minimizing the number of personnel required for traffic control.

Safety management enabled by the GNSS helmet

GNSS helmets offer major advantages not only in efficiency but also in safety management. Traditionally, surveying could lead workers to focus on equipment operation or point confirmation and neglect surrounding safety checks. With helmet-integrated GNSS, workers can move while keeping both hands and their field of view free, maintaining awareness of their surroundings. They can hold handrails even on unstable footing while surveying, reducing the risk of falls or drops.

Also, because one-person surveying reduces the number of people on site, it can help prevent accidents that tend to occur when multiple people are involved (such as collisions with heavy machinery due to insufficient rearward checks). Being able to complete tasks “by one person” means not exposing other workers to hazardous areas.

Moreover, GNSS helmets are expected to be useful as safety management tools. GNSS built into helmets makes it easier for managers to grasp workers’ current positions. In the event of an accident or sudden illness, responders can quickly reach the location using the position information. If integrated with systems that alert when a worker approaches predefined danger or restricted areas, it can help prevent near-miss incidents. Looking ahead, combining biometric sensors and communication functions could enable smart helmets that detect abnormal heart rate or posture and notify in real time. GNSS helmets can thus be seen as foundational technology for advanced safety management.

GNSS helmets as an expected next-generation technology

GNSS helmets are highly anticipated as one of the next-generation technologies supporting DX (digital transformation) in the construction industry. This technology, which transforms on-site surveying styles and simultaneously improves productivity and safety, will likely become an indispensable element of future smart construction.

In the future, GNSS helmets are expected to increasingly integrate with other advanced technologies. For example, combining with AR (augmented reality) could display design drawings and survey data overlaid on a helmet visor or linked smart glasses, allowing workers to intuitively stake out positions and verify as-built conditions on site. Because GNSS can provide accurate positioning, it becomes possible to align digital drawings with real-world positions at high precision, greatly improving construction management and inspection efficiency.

Also, if all workers wear GNSS devices, automation of site-wide movement management and log accumulation becomes possible. Records of who worked where and when would improve quantity and schedule management accuracy and make tracing incidents easier. Sharing position information among heavy machinery, drones, and other vehicles could enable collision avoidance and automated control, realizing safer and more efficient construction.

Thus, GNSS helmets represent more than just an evolution of surveying instruments; they symbolize on-site digitalization and smartification. As the technology matures and adoption spreads, an era in which “one device per worker” is the norm may arrive. Workers measuring their own positions and sharing data as they proceed with construction—that is the future GNSS helmets are expected to support.

Simple surveying with LRTK

One concrete solution supporting next-generation technologies like GNSS helmets is LRTK. LRTK is a small, lightweight high-precision GNSS terminal developed to easily achieve centimeter-level positioning using the RTK method. It is designed to be used in combination with a dedicated smartphone app, enabling surveying at the push of a button without difficult operations or specialized knowledge. Replacing traditionally specialized surveying equipment with a small device and a familiar smartphone is revolutionary.

Although pocket-sized, LRTK can accurately measure not only horizontal positions but also vertical heights. It weighs about 125 g and is very lightweight, so mounting it on a helmet is not burdensome. It contains a rechargeable battery and offers operating time suitable for a full day’s work. For example, ground elevation measurements and as-built confirmations can be performed on the spot with a helmet-mounted LRTK to obtain position and elevation immediately. Acquired data can be uploaded to the cloud in real time, facilitating instant information sharing between the site and the office. This creates a new workflow of “measuring and then rapidly acting,” rather than “measuring and stopping.”

Furthermore, LRTK is more affordable and easier to introduce than conventional equipment, making one-per-worker deployment realistic. If all site staff carry an LRTK and a smartphone, each person can measure and record as needed, reducing waiting times for specialist surveyors. The emergence of such “simple surveying” with LRTK, together with next-generation technologies like GNSS helmets, is driving a productivity revolution on construction sites.

FAQ

Q1. How accurate is the positioning of a GNSS helmet? A1. By using RTK-GNSS, a GNSS helmet can achieve planar positioning accuracy on the order of several centimeters (a few in). Accuracy varies somewhat depending on environmental conditions (satellite reception status, signal obstructions, etc.), but it offers far higher precision than standalone GPS.

Q2. Do you need special qualifications or training to use a GNSS helmet? A2. In principle, no special qualifications are required. Operation is simple, and anyone can use it without specialized surveying knowledge once they learn how to use the dedicated terminal or app. However, learning basic knowledge to ensure accuracy (correct mounting of the GNSS antenna, suitable conditions for positioning, etc.) in advance is recommended for greater confidence.

Q3. Can GNSS helmets be used indoors or inside tunnels? A3. Because GNSS helmets rely on satellite signals, they are most effective outdoors in open environments. Positioning is difficult in places where satellite signals cannot reach, such as indoors or inside tunnels. In those cases, you need to rely on position information obtained outdoors as a reference or combine GNSS with other surveying methods (terrestrial laser scanning, traverse surveying from known points, etc.).

Q4. Is one-person surveying a safety concern? A4. One-person surveying using a GNSS helmet can actually lead to improved safety. With both hands free, fall-prevention measures are easier and workers can stay aware of their surroundings. However, because the work is solitary, risk assessment beforehand and regular contact checks are even more important. Utilizing the GNSS helmet’s position-sharing functions and ensuring a system to call for rapid assistance in emergencies will allow safe surveying even when working alone.

Q5. Does wearing a GNSS helmet cause extra weight or get in the way? A5. GNSS-equipped devices have become very small and lightweight, so you hardly feel the weight when attached to a helmet. For example, an LRTK terminal weighs about 125 g, and mounting it on a helmet is not burdensome. Attachments are designed to meet safety standards so as not to affect the helmet’s protective performance, and there is little risk of falling off or obstructing the field of view during work. Once attached, it can be used comfortably as part of the helmet.

Q6. How can I obtain or introduce a GNSS helmet? A6. Dedicated GNSS helmet products are gradually appearing, but currently many users attach existing GNSS receivers to helmets. For example, by using an attachment to mount a small GNSS terminal on a commercially available helmet, you can convert your helmet into a GNSS helmet. Using lightweight devices like LRTK makes it possible to start high-precision surveying on site without special modifications.

Q7. Do high-precision GNSS measurements require base stations or communication services? A7. While a GNSS helmet can perform positioning on its own, RTK correction data is required to achieve centimeter-level precision. Typically, you either place a fixed reference station (a GNSS receiver at a known point) near the site or use correction services provided over the Internet (network RTK services). In Japan, it is common to connect devices to the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan’s Continuously Operating Reference Stations or private VRS services to receive real-time correction data. Devices like LRTK are designed to work with smartphones to easily obtain these correction data from such services.

Q8. Does rain or bad weather affect positioning accuracy? A8. Ordinary rain or cloudy weather has minimal impact on GNSS positioning accuracy. GNSS signals are subject to slight atmospheric effects, but RTK corrections cancel out much of that. However, heavy downpours or thunderstorms can degrade signal reception, temporarily reducing accuracy or causing unstable positioning. From a safety perspective as well, avoid performing surveys in severe weather. Many GNSS helmets are water- and dust-resistant, so light rain is unlikely to cause malfunctions, but when weather conditions are severe it is important to consider suspending operations.

Q9. Are there real-world implementations on sites? A9. Yes, use cases at sites are gradually increasing. For example, on road construction sites, supervisors have worn GNSS helmets to measure daily as-built conditions for progress management. There are also reports of a single technician surveying ground elevations with a GNSS device on large development sites to supplement shortages in survey teams. Simple surveying systems like LRTK have been trialed by some local governments and construction companies and are being used for disaster site assessment and infrastructure inspection. These success stories have raised attention and expectations for one-person surveying technologies including GNSS helmets. Through further on-site demonstrations, the usefulness of GNSS helmets is likely to become widely recognized and adoption accelerated.