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Optimotive has launched the IRIS MK2, a robust autonomous robot engineered to automate outdoor data collection in construction and other demanding field environments.
Designed and manufactured in Canada, IRIS MK2 delivers a rugged, cost-effective alternative to traditional manual methods by automating tasks such as 3D scanning, 360-degree image capture, and remote site inspections. With its ability to operate in dusty, muddy, and unpredictable conditions, the robot offers a reliable solution for capturing consistent, high-quality data on complex job sites.
IRIS MK2 addresses a critical industry challenge: the reliance on skilled engineers to perform time-consuming and expensive field data capture using tripod-mounted scanners. This approach often results in inconsistent datasets and inflated operational costs. Optimotive’s autonomous platform eliminates these inefficiencies by enabling repeatable and precise data collection with significantly reduced labor and travel requirements. The robot’s deployment enables firms to increase scanning frequency and improve overall accuracy, all while lowering total cost of ownership.
Scott Fairley, CEO and Founder of Optimotive, said, “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. It’s not just a robot, it’s a force multiplier for digital transformation on industrial job sites.”
The development of IRIS began in 2016 as a side project and gained commercial traction in 2018 when a construction company invited the team to pilot the early platform. Since then, IRIS MK2 has evolved into a production-grade solution, with active deployments across Canada and growing demand from the United States, Japan, and the Middle East. Optimotive is now moving from pilot programs into full-scale rollout, supporting major general contractors and innovation teams seeking to scale automation across multiple job sites.
At the heart of the IRIS MK2 is a modular payload system that supports a wide range of sensors, including LiDAR, thermal imaging, and 360-degree cameras. The robot’s autonomous navigation system is optimized for outdoor environments, allowing it to traverse rough terrain and collect data without human intervention. IRIS MK2 operates under a Robot-as-a-Service model, with flexible leasing options that include no monthly minimums. Setup starts at $10,000, with recurring costs beginning at $3,500 per month.
To enable full autonomy, every IRIS MK2 unit is paired with BOX, a fully integrated, weather-hardened robotic base station. BOX combines wireless charging, data upload, and Starlink-powered connectivity, and can operate off-grid using built-in solar panels. The inclusion of u-blox’s PointPerfect RTK GNSS delivers centimeter-level positioning accuracy using L-band and IP-based correction data, eliminating the need for traditional base stations and making it ideal for both remote and urban deployments.
Fairley added, “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.”
IRIS MK2 is payload-agnostic and supports a wide range of use cases across the construction lifecycle, including topographical surveys, in-progress 3D scans, and preventative maintenance inspections for infrastructure such as solar farms and conveyor systems. By ensuring data is collected from the same position and elevation every time, the system addresses longstanding quality control and compliance issues in construction and asset management.
