Built Robotics develops automated pile driver for large-scale solar construction

The company Built Robotics, which created the Exosystem, has created RPD 35, a self-governing solar piling system. RPD 35, developed by Built Robotics, is an automated pile driving robot made to install large solar panel foundations quicker than manual, customary means. Piling is fundamental for all utility-scale solar projects. Steel H-shaped beams that are 43 to 16 feet long and can weigh up to 200 pounds are typically used in solar piles. A large-scale solar farm necessitates the placement of tens of thousands of piles which must be drilled into the earth to a depth of 8 ft or more, and placed with a precision of less than an inch. The RPD 35 unites the survey, distribution of piles, pile driving, and inspection necessary to construct the structural foundation of the solar array. It encompasses all the steps of the piling process. A two-person team can install more than 300 piles in one day with the RPD 35, and the piles will match the slope tolerances that the industry expects. The implementation of Built Robotics’ construction AI software alongside a tailored pile cartridge system and advanced sensors such as RTK GPS assists in the automation of solar piling. This is a difficult, laborious task and one that is perfect for automation, according to Noah Ready-Campbell, founder and CEO of Built Robotics. Robots that are used to pile will significantly boost the productivity of workers in the labor market in the construction sector, which is of utmost importance in the consistently limited labor market.