{"id":17225,"date":"2026-10-22T13:52:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T12:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T09:05:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:05:53","slug":"warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior Surveyor Chris Radcliff, from our Australian team, recently travelled to Japan to support survey work at a large automated warehouse in Tokyo. He combined specialist expertise with local teamwork to help plan the next phase of automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A week in Tokyo offered a change of scenery for Chris, whose visit focused on controlled laser scanning and survey work at a large automated warehouse. While he was working across the facility\u2019s autonomous robot (AR) floor, he captured the spatial information needed. This information will assess how new automation infrastructure could be introduced into the existing operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is a reminder that even in a highly automated environment, accurate surveying has a vital role to play. Before new equipment can be installed, the design team needs a clear understanding of what is already there. In addition, they must know how the proposed additions will fit alongside it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mapping the robots\u2019 reference points<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the key requirements was accurately capturing and coordinating the fiducial markers used by the robots for navigation. These markers provide the reference points that guide automated movement throughout the warehouse. Chris describes them as the \u201chighways\u201d that help the robots find their way around the facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their positions needed to be accurately integrated with the laser scan data. This allowed the project team to work from a coordinated picture of the floor and its navigation references. Moreover, this was an essential part of preparing the information for the next stage of design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Planning upgrades before installation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The resulting point cloud and survey dataset will be used to assess how the proposed automation infrastructure can be integrated into the warehouse. Furthermore, it will support clash detection, checks on available clearances and design coordination before installation begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By reviewing the proposed additions against the surveyed environment, the project team can identify potential conflicts. They can also understand where space may be constrained. The planned upgrades aim to improve the efficiency and capability of the facility. These upgrades will bring new technologies into an already highly automated operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Chris, the visit offered an opportunity to see how the information collected on site feeds directly into decisions about the future of a complex industrial facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Working together across languages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the technical work, one of the most rewarding parts of the visit was working alongside the local survey team. Delivering a project in a different country brings practical challenges. In particular, planning, site meetings and everyday coordination take place across languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris worked closely with Shou and Fukuda, whose local knowledge and support were invaluable throughout the project. Besides, Shou\u2019s ability to speak both English and Japanese made communication significantly easier. This helped the team coordinate their work and operate together seamlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experience highlighted the importance of combining specialist survey expertise with the knowledge of colleagues on the ground. It also gave Chris a first-hand example of how collaboration can connect teams across international borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the visit, Chris said: \u201cIt was a great opportunity to see firsthand how accurate survey data supports the planning and delivery of complex industrial projects, and another reminder that good surveying is a truly global profession.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damian Lee, Head of Operations, Infrastructure, added: \u201cThis was a great opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities in a new country. We knew it would be a challenge, but Chris, Shou and Fukuda did an amazing job and made it look easy! We hope this will be the first of many projects in Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robots helping robots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The team hopes to return next year once the design phase is complete. This time, they will support the installation and setting out of the new infrastructure using HP SitePrint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That would take the project from capturing the existing environment to helping translate the new design onto the warehouse floor. Additionally, robotic layout technology will support the next phase of automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Chris put it: \u201cThere\u2019s something quite fitting about using robots to help set out infrastructure for more robots!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fascinating assignment for Chris, and a great example of our Australia team bringing specialist surveying expertise to an international project. Thank you to Shou and Fukuda for their support throughout the visit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation Senior Surveyor Chris Radcliff, from our Australian team, recently travelled to Japan to support survey work at a large automated warehouse in Tokyo. He combined specialist expertise with local teamwork to help plan the next phase of automation. A week in Tokyo offered a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":17254,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,7],"tags":[21],"class_list":["post-17225","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-news","tag-digital-construction"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFrom Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation - Plowman Craven - US<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation Senior Surveyor Chris Radcliff, from our Australian team, recently travelled to Japan to support survey work at a large automated warehouse in Tokyo. He combined specialist expertise with local teamwork to help plan the next phase of automation. A week in Tokyo offered a […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Plowman Craven - US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-22T12:52:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-22T13:05:53+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_7382.jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Plowman Craven\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Plowman Craven\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Plowman Craven\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/person\/bb0b88a1af4e9632660255f95f026413\"},\"headline\":\"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-22T12:52:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-22T13:05:53+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/\"},\"wordCount\":719,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-22-140527.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Digital Construction\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Featured\",\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/\",\"name\":\"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation - Plowman Craven - US\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-22-140527.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-22T12:52:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-22T13:05:53+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-22-140527.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-22-140527.png\",\"width\":519,\"height\":434},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/\",\"name\":\"Plowman Craven - US\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Plowman Craven - US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/pc-logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/pc-logo.svg\",\"width\":296,\"height\":32,\"caption\":\"Plowman Craven - US\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/person\/bb0b88a1af4e9632660255f95f026413\",\"name\":\"Plowman Craven\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d91cc95c5e40708721b24c1f7296a0304cf0d2fc02acb04bcfc59df6acc1c54a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d91cc95c5e40708721b24c1f7296a0304cf0d2fc02acb04bcfc59df6acc1c54a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Plowman Craven\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation - Plowman Craven - US","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation","og_description":"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation Senior Surveyor Chris Radcliff, from our Australian team, recently travelled to Japan to support survey work at a large automated warehouse in Tokyo. He combined specialist expertise with local teamwork to help plan the next phase of automation. A week in Tokyo offered a […]","og_url":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/","og_site_name":"Plowman Craven - US","article_published_time":"2026-10-22T12:52:57+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-10-22T13:05:53+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_7382.jpeg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Plowman Craven","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Plowman Craven","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/"},"author":{"name":"Plowman Craven","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/person\/bb0b88a1af4e9632660255f95f026413"},"headline":"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation","datePublished":"2026-10-22T12:52:57+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-22T13:05:53+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/"},"wordCount":719,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-22-140527.png","keywords":["Digital Construction"],"articleSection":["Featured","News"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/","url":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/","name":"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation - Plowman Craven - US","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-22-140527.png","datePublished":"2026-10-22T12:52:57+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-22T13:05:53+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-22-140527.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-22-140527.png","width":519,"height":434},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/warehouse-automation-a-surveyors-journey\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"From Australia to Tokyo: surveying the next chapter in warehouse automation"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#website","url":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/","name":"Plowman Craven - US","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#organization","name":"Plowman Craven - US","url":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/pc-logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/pc-logo.svg","width":296,"height":32,"caption":"Plowman Craven - US"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/person\/bb0b88a1af4e9632660255f95f026413","name":"Plowman Craven","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d91cc95c5e40708721b24c1f7296a0304cf0d2fc02acb04bcfc59df6acc1c54a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d91cc95c5e40708721b24c1f7296a0304cf0d2fc02acb04bcfc59df6acc1c54a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Plowman Craven"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17225"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17225\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17255,"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17225\/revisions\/17255"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17225"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17225"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}