Roll out of rugged autonomous robot redefining outdoor data collection

Optimotive has announced the official full rollout of IRIS MK2, its next-generation autonomous robot designed to revolutionise data collection in construction and other challenging outdoor environments.

Built for muddy, dusty, and unpredictable terrain, the device is an autonomous robot equipped to carry diverse sensor payloads, automating 3D scanning, 360° photo capture, and remote inspections on complex job sites. The company describes it as the most capable and cost-effective outdoor generalist data collection robot on the market.

“We designed IRIS from the ground up for the real world, not the lab. IRIS MK2 is rugged, flexible, and powerful enough to work in environments where others fail,” said Scott Fairley, CEO and founder of Optimotive. “It’s not just a robot, it’s a force multiplier for digital transformation on industrial job sites.”

The robot was born out of a real-world problem: construction firms were sending highly paid engineers into the field to perform manual data capture using conventional tripod-mounted scanners. These inefficient, error-prone methods increased costs and lowered data quality. The robot automates this entire process, ensuring precise, repeatable, and consistent data capture at an increased frequency while reducing labour and travel costs at a fraction of the expense.

Technical Highlights:

• Modular Payload System: Customisable to carry LiDAR, thermal imaging, 360° cameras, and more
• Autonomous Navigation: Optimised for complex outdoor environments
• Robot-as-a-Service Model: Flexible leasing with no monthly minimum. Setup from $10,000, with recurring costs starting at $3,500/month
• Fully Integrated Base Station ‘The BOX’: Provides charging, data upload, Starlink connectivity, and solar power, enabling near-total autonomy
• PointPerfect RTK GNSS by u-blox: Enables 1–3 cm accuracy using L-band and IP correction data, ideal for remote and urban deployment without needing a base station

“We’re investing heavily into u-blox technology because it grows with us. From RTK precision to scalable deployment, PointPerfect gives us flexible, real-time accuracy, whether we’re in the middle of a city or the middle of nowhere,” said Fairley.

With every IRIS robot comes BOX, a rugged and secure, all-in-one robotic base station. BOX houses wireless charging, data uplink, and weather-hardened infrastructure. BOX can also operate off-grid thanks to integrated solar panels.

“BOX is the enabler for total autonomy,” added Fairley. “Drop it off, plug it in (or not) and let the robot run. We’ve eliminated the need for human oversight.”

IRIS is fully payload-agnostic and supports various applications:

• Topographical surveys pre-construction
• 3D scanning during the build phase
• Inspection of solar panels and belt systems for preventative maintenance

It captures high-quality, consistent scans from the same height and position, solving major pain points in quality control and regulatory compliance.

“From construction accuracy to thermal inspections, we empower customers with reliable data they can act on,” said Fairley.

“Surveying firms aren’t our primary customers, big contractors with BIM teams are,” said Fairley. “They don’t want their high-paid engineers stuck in mud taking scans. They want results, and we deliver them.”