Fog and twilight are no longer an obstacle: Russia creates a "smart" geodetic rod for surveyors

Russian engineers have created a new geodetic instrument for high-precision measurements. The development is expected to reduce the dependence of measurements on external conditions: poor lighting, fog, haze, twilight, and refraction, which can interfere with work using conventional rods. The digital rod was created at the Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography (MIIGAiK).

Conventional geodetic rods – made of wood or metal – have remained largely unchanged for decades. These are tools with a special scale used for field measurements. However, they have a problem: the markings can be difficult to see due to fog, twilight, long distances, or poor lighting.

To solve this problem, scientists proposed a new approach. Instead of a conventional fixed scale, a "smart" digital surface is used, which can change the brightness and display of the markings depending on the conditions. In other words, the rod adapts to the situation itself to make the scale easier to see during measurements.

Currently, scientists are developing software that will display the scale on a screen and automatically read measurement data. Thanks to this, the rod will not only be able to show markings but also transmit information digitally.

In the future, such technology could make geodetic measurements more accurate and convenient in construction, cartography, and engineering works.