Title: Electromechanical survey vehicle and method

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Abstract: A method and vehicle are disclosed for surveying terrain by providing data from which three-dimensional coordinates of the path of the vehicle on the terrain are calculated. The vehicle includes two members articulated to one another and each member is supported on the surface by at least one wheel. The vehicle is positioned and the initial three-dimensional coordinates of a specific point on the first member and the initial orientation of the first member are determined from conventional surveying data. The vehicle is then moved a predetermined distance so that the second member tracks the first member. When the second member is located and oriented in approximately the initial position of the first member, measurements are made to determine the changes in the angle between the two members with respect to each of the axes. The new three-dimensional coordinates of the specific point on the first member and the orientation of the first member are determined from the previous three dimensional coordinates, the previous orientation of the first member, the length of the first member, and changes in the angle between the two members with respect to each of the axes. Such three-dimensional coordinates may be calculated at locations at spaced intervals along the path of the vehicle to survey the terrain.


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