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Introducing a new dimension in reality capture and a new way of working for 3D laser scanning.
Introducing a new dimension in reality capture and a new way of working for 3D laser scanning.
Our product launches are just the beginning – learn why that matters for your investment.
It’s always exciting when a new benchmark technology is released – whether it’s the next-gen 2025 Leica TS20 robotic total station, the 2022 Leica AP20 AutoPole, or the 2017 GS18 T, which was the first calibration-free, IMU-based tilt-compensating GNSS rover. The GS18 I with visual positioning, launched in 2020, was another breakthrough in GNSS rover technology.
But at Leica Geosystems, we view the launch of an innovative technology as more than a milestone. It marks the start of an ongoing cycle of improvement built into the very foundation of our products. Take the new TS20, for instance: it’s the first total station to feature on-device (edge) AI, allowing our engineers to enhance the performance over time and introduce entirely new features via software updates.
This forward-thinking approach isn’t unique to the TS20. It’s a track record of continuous advancement evident in the evolution of our previous products, most notably, in the GS18 T and GS18 I.
Before 2017, GNSS rovers with tilt capabilities relied on magnetometer sensors for orientation, which were prone to interference from nearby metals. This required frequent and time-consuming recalibrations in the field, slowing down the work that tilt is supposed to speed up. The GS18 T eliminated these challenges by introducing the first tilt compensation unaffected by metal interference, a game-changer for surveyors who work primarily in environments where metal is prevalent. A tight integration of GNSS and an IMU enabled zero calibration time, earning the GS18 T the title of “the world’s fastest RTK rover.” You could simply power on and start working.
Beyond speed, the GS18 T’s IMU technology laid the foundation for innovative features in other products, such as visual positioning in the Leica GS18 I GNSS rover. The tilt compensation algorithm developed for the GS18 T enabled the georeferencing of images captured with the GS18 I’s camera, allowing surveyors to measure remote points directly in the field or later in the office using Leica Infinity surveying software.
Additionally, the GS18 T has field-proven lifetime calibration. During production, the IMU is calibrated across the full operating temperature range, from -40 °C to +65 °C, ensuring that any surveyor – working in any harsh weather conditions, anywhere in the world – can rely on consistently achieving the specified accuracy without ever needing an in‑field calibration. Multi-year testing on units in daily use has confirmed no loss of accuracy even after 7-8 years of operation across seasons.
But it was not just about speed and robust performance. Working with the GS18 T has also enhanced safety. By enabling surveyors to tilt the rover to access hard-to-reach points, it helps reduce risks in hazardous areas such as roadways, trenches, and other precarious locations.
However, as great as it was at launch, the GS18 series didn’t stand still. Both the GS18 T and GS18 I have been continuously improved through Leica Captivate field software releases and algorithm updates, delivering measurable gains in accuracy, reliability, availability, and usability. These advancements ensure that all users – from early adopters to recent buyers – benefit from the latest cutting-edge technology.
Thanks to continuous algorithm advancements, the GS18 T and GS18 I’s RTK capabilities have undergone significant upgrades. RTK availability has increased by more than 30% in challenging conditions, such as beneath dense tree canopies or near tall structures.
The refined algorithms also enhance performance during periods of heightened ionospheric disturbances, ensuring more reliable centimetre-level positions even in demanding environments.
When the GS18 T was first launched, its tilt accuracy was already impressive. But we’ve pushed the boundaries even further. Since 2017, the tilt accuracy has improved from an 8 mm + 0.4 mm/° specification to an exceptional 2 mm + 0.3 mm/° in 2025 on both the GS18 T and GS18 I. This evolution has minimised the impact of tilt on point accuracy to near insignificance for typical surveying tasks.
Testing with the latest Leica Captivate version has demonstrated a 28% improvement in tilt accuracy compared to earlier versions. Stefan Schaufler, senior product engineer for GNSS systems and a key figure in the GS18’s development, summarises the change:
"Back in 2017, you would turn tilt on and expect a slight extra error. Today, that additional error is so small you won’t notice it in your point measurement—just turn it on and don’t think twice."
The user experience of the GS18 T and GS18 I has been carefully refined with features designed to make fieldwork more intuitive and efficient. For example, the introduction of the tilt strength bar in Leica Captivate provides users with an immediate and clear view of tilt initialisation quality. Inspired by customer feedback and product insights from the Leica AP20, this feature highlights our commitment to user-centric design.
We also listen to and address local customer needs through our updates. For instance, we developed a "Store Tilt Only" mode to comply with jurisdictional requirements that prohibit tilt compensation for certain cadastral tasks. This mode ensures that users operate with a levelled pole while still recording tilt data for traceability and quality assurance.
Additionally, we’ve found ways to make measuring with the GS18 T and GS18 I easier across the workflow, including when using other instruments. Both the GS18 T and GS18 I work in a SmartPole setup, allowing users to switch effortlessly between GNSS and total station measurements, tackling complex job sites with greater efficiency. This integration reflects our focus on ensuring key tools complement one another to maximise productivity.
Learn how imaging and tilt compensation enable more measurements on more sites.
Learn how imaging and tilt compensation enable more measurements on more sites.
