Lightweight 165 g with pro-level accuracy! Why the compact surveying device LRTK is chosen

Accurate surveying equipment is indispensable on construction and surveying sites. However, conventional surveying instruments have been large and heavy, requiring specialized knowledge and manpower to handle, and thus were not something that could be used casually on site. For example, a typical total station alone can weigh several kilograms, and its setup and operation can sometimes require two or more people. Attention has therefore turned to the existence of compact, easy-to-handle surveying devices. A compact surveying device allows measurements to be taken easily even in confined sites or at height, leveraging mobility and dramatically improving work efficiency.

Born to meet these needs is the “LRTK,” which achieves professional-grade positioning accuracy in a lightweight 165 g package. Despite being smartphone-sized and pocketable, it is attracting attention as a revolutionary compact surveying device capable of measuring positions to within a few centimeters. This article explains in detail the features and benefits of LRTK and why it is chosen.

What is the compact surveying device LRTK?

LRTK is a new-generation surveying device used in conjunction with a smartphone. Its compact, smartphone-like body houses a high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver. By employing the formerly difficult Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning technology, it enables centimeter-level high-precision positioning using satellite signals. It also supports Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite system “Michibiki” high-precision augmentation service (CLAS), allowing stable positioning even at sites outside communication coverage.

The LRTK unit is used by attaching it to the back of a smartphone or mounting it on a dedicated monopod (pole). Simply power on the LRTK at the point you want to measure and operate the smartphone’s dedicated app to measure the latitude, longitude, and height of that point with an error range of a few centimeters. Positioning data are recorded on the smartphone in real time and can also be saved and shared on the cloud. There is no need to carry heavy tripods or complex equipment—the major attraction is that precise surveying can be done easily with just the LRTK. LRTK was developed with the aim of being “a pocketable surveying tool carried by each person and usable whenever needed.”

Reason 1: Ultra-light 165 g, pocketable compactness

The primary reason LRTK is chosen is its overwhelming lightness and compact size. Weighing just 165 g, roughly the same as a typical smartphone, it is astonishingly light for surveying equipment. Its thickness is only about 1 cm (0.4 in), making it compact enough to fit in a pocket. This greatly eases the transport and carrying of equipment to sites, eliminating the need to transport bulky equipment by vehicle or assemble it on site as before.

For example, even when surveying in mountainous areas or inspecting at height, LRTK can be carried with one hand, allowing safe movement to measurement points even on difficult terrain. The burden of carrying heavy equipment has been reduced, significantly lowering the physical strain on field personnel. Being small and lightweight is not just about portability: it leads to the mobility to “measure whenever and wherever needed,” directly contributing to improved on-site work efficiency.

Reason 2: Pro-level high-precision positioning (centimeter-level accuracy)

Whereas conventional compact devices or smartphone GPS commonly had errors of several meters, LRTK boasts accuracy comparable to professional surveying equipment. By leveraging RTK technology and Michibiki’s CLAS augmentation signals, it achieves astonishing positioning accuracy within a few centimeters of error. In fact, verification results have been reported in which position information obtained with LRTK, when compared to high-precision reference points, showed errors of only a few millimeters. That level of accuracy rivals expensive GNSS positioning devices used for national first-class surveys.

Behind this high accuracy are LRTK’s advanced technologies. It simultaneously receives signals from multiple GPS, GLONASS, Michibiki satellites, and others, and integrates and analyzes them using RTK methods to derive precise positions in real time. Furthermore, the obtained coordinate data include elevation (height) information, so measurements are accurate not only in planar position but also vertically. This makes LRTK reliable for tasks requiring high precision, such as surveying with elevation differences or earthwork volume calculations. “Small yet professional-grade accuracy” — this is one of the major reasons LRTK is chosen.

Reason 3: Easy setup and operation—surveying can be completed by one person

LRTK also greatly leads conventional surveying instruments in ease of use. One of its features is that surveying work can be completed by one person. With traditional surveying equipment like total stations, multiple people were sometimes needed for tasks such as setting up the equipment and aligning prisms. But because LRTK is used together with a smartphone, all basic operations can be completed from the user’s hands. Upon arriving at the site, bring the LRTK to the point you want to measure and press the measurement button in the smartphone app—no need to set up a heavy tripod or send signals back and forth for alignment.

LRTK is also designed to be intuitive even for first-time users. The smartphone app clearly displays buttons for starting positioning and saving, and current accuracy status can be checked via numbers and graphs. Measurement results are immediately plotted on a map, allowing on-the-spot understanding of positional relationships. Even those without specialized knowledge can obtain the necessary data by following the app’s guidance, so surveys can be completed without relying on surveying specialists. The ease of single-person operation also contributes to efficient personnel allocation and is valued in sites with small teams or frequent lone-work situations.

Reason 4: Versatile features through smartphone integration, easy data management

LRTK is not merely a device for measuring positions. By integrating with a smartphone app, it becomes a comprehensive surveying tool offering a variety of all-in-one functions. For example, the LRTK app allows you to take a geotagged photo of the current position with one tap, saving a record that combines coordinates and images. This enables image-supported management of each survey point, making later review intuitive.

Moreover, the app is equipped with convenient measurement features useful on site. It can automatically calculate distance and area from measured multiple points, and even perform 3D point cloud scanning to measure earthwork volumes and shapes. For example, you can compute the distance from one point to another on the spot or instantly display the area enclosed—without a tape measure or dedicated calculation tools. Using the volume measurement function, the volume of excavated soil can be calculated with a single button. AR (augmented reality) technology can also be used to overlay reference points or elevations from design drawings onto the actual scene to guide stake-driving operations (setting out). Tasks that previously required specialist knowledge or back-office analysis can now be handled in real time on site with LRTK.

In terms of data management, LRTK is designed to be user-friendly. All survey data are digitally recorded on the smartphone, and if cloud sync is enabled they are automatically backed up. There is no need to record on paper fieldbooks or return to the office for manual data entry. Survey results shared on the cloud can be instantly accessed by office staff, so communication between the field and the office is smooth. As a multifunctional and user-friendly system, LRTK goes beyond being a mere “surveying instrument” and becomes a reliable tool to drive DX (digital transformation) on the job site.

Reason 5: Battery for 6 hours of continuous operation & easy charging

Battery life is also an important factor for outdoor surveying where external power is hard to obtain. Despite its compact body, LRTK has a built-in battery capable of approximately 6 hours of continuous operation, allowing surveying to be carried out with ample margin during a normal workday. You can start surveying in the morning, charge once during lunch, and continue fieldwork in the afternoon—LRTK has the stamina for such usage.

Another advantage is that LRTK can be easily charged with a standard USB Type-C cable. It can be powered from commonly available sources on site such as mobile batteries or vehicle USB power, reducing concerns about running out of battery. No dedicated charger or special power device is required—the convenience is similar to charging a smartphone, which is a big benefit for fieldwork. If the battery runs low during extended continuous surveying, you can carry a spare battery or connect to a mobile battery on the spot to continue operations. LRTK supports flexible working styles on site and contributes to user peace of mind in terms of power.

Reason 6: Positioning possible even outside communication coverage—reliable in any field

Survey sites do not always have reliable communication environments. There are cases where surveying must be performed in areas without network access, such as mountainous or suburban construction sites, or locations where cell towers are unstable after a disaster. Conventional high-precision positioning typically relied on obtaining reference station data via the network (network RTK), which cannot provide accuracy at sites beyond radio coverage.

LRTK provides an excellent solution in this regard. As noted above, LRTK supports Michibiki’s CLAS signals, so it can obtain high-precision correction information directly from satellites even in regions without cellular coverage. Moreover, because high-precision positioning can be completed by the LRTK alone, there is no need to install base station antennas or secure dedicated lines as was previously required. The lack of such ancillary equipment is another major advantage on site. In other words, centimeter-class positioning is possible even outside communication coverage, and LRTK proves powerful for surveying on remote islands, deep mountains, or isolated sites after disasters. In fact, during the investigation of the 2023 Noto Peninsula earthquake disaster area, LRTK was active in assessing local conditions despite unstable communication infrastructure.

In this way, LRTK combines reliable performance that can be demonstrated anywhere. It features all-weather, rugged hardware design, allowing stable positioning even in light rain or under vibration. Being a “reliable partner for any site” has led to high praise from users.

Reason 7: Contributes to cost reduction and operational efficiency

Introducing LRTK brings significant changes to on-site costs and workflows. Traditionally, precise surveying required outsourcing to specialized surveying companies or acquiring expensive equipment in-house. As a result, surveying costs and time tended to increase, becoming a burden, especially for small-scale projects. With LRTK, company staff can perform surveying as needed, allowing reduction of outsourcing costs while increasing schedule flexibility. Being able to measure immediately when needed eliminates unnecessary waiting time and contributes to the overall efficiency of the project.

In addition, LRTK has a lower acquisition cost compared to high-priced traditional surveying instruments, offering high performance at an affordable price. As an electronic device, LRTK requires little in the way of maintenance such as regular calibration or manufacturer inspections common to optical instruments. Because it can be operated without specially trained technicians, there are also labor cost advantages. For example, local governments have begun initiatives where staff themselves use LRTK for on-site surveying. Fukui City implemented an LRTK system in disaster recovery sites, enabling staff to quickly measure and record damage, achieving rapid recovery and substantial cost reductions. Thus, LRTK is being adopted across a wide range of fields, from public institutions to private companies, as a cost-effective solution.

Overall, introducing LRTK enables surveying to be done “quickly,” “at low cost,” and “flexibly.” This, in turn, promotes DX and efficiency across the site and makes feasible fine-grained surveying work that was previously limited by manpower and cost. The high contribution to cost reduction and operational efficiency is another important reason LRTK is chosen.

How surveying work changes with LRTK introduction

We have reviewed LRTK’s features through seven reasons, but how will the site actually change once it is introduced? Finally, let’s imagine the differences in surveying work before and after LRTK introduction.

In traditional surveying, the common flow was to set up a heavy total station, work in pairs, and record results by hand. When there were many survey points, the instrument had to be reconfigured every time the tripod was moved, and bad weather could force suspension of surveying. Measurement data were compiled later in the office and converted into drawings and reports, requiring post-field work after bringing numbers back from the site.

If you introduce LRTK, equipment preparation becomes dramatically simpler. When you arrive on site, take the LRTK and a smartphone out of your pocket, power up, and you can start surveying immediately. Move to the point you want to measure and complete positioning with one tap. One person can visit multiple survey points and collect data in succession, allowing flexible movement according to site progress. Even if it rains suddenly, LRTK’s splash-resistant performance can keep it operational for short periods, enabling quick retreat to a vehicle for shelter and resumption afterward—providing flexible responses. Records are all digital, so you can share them via the cloud the same day and immediately use them for the next instructions or decisions. After introducing LRTK, not only the surveying work itself but also the preparation and post-processing are streamlined, dramatically improving on-site speed.

Thus, LRTK fundamentally innovates how surveying is done on site, making “fast, simple, and high-precision” surveying the norm. Surveys that were previously difficult to perform frequently due to time or cost constraints can be carried out easily at the necessary times with LRTK.

Closing: The possibilities opened by simple surveying with LRTK

We have looked at the reasons why the compact surveying device LRTK is supported. Combining the overwhelming lightness of 165 g with professional-grade accuracy, and offering ease of use and multifunctionality tailored to fieldwork, LRTK truly embodies the next-generation surveying style. Tasks that were once left to specialists can now be handled quickly by site personnel as simple surveys using LRTK. This speeds up on-site decision-making and, in turn, improves overall construction efficiency.

The catchphrase “Lightweight 165 g with pro-level accuracy” is not an exaggeration—LRTK has earned high satisfaction from many users. If at your site you feel you “want a compact, easy-to-use surveying device” or “want to make surveying easier,” LRTK should solve those challenges. Experience simple surveying with LRTK and verify its convenience and accuracy for yourself. It will surely change many long-held assumptions about surveying.