Case Study: Galliford Try Becomes the First in the UK to Deploy the CHCNAV ViLi i100

Michelle Hands
Sep 29
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

When a new piece of technology promises to change the way surveyors work, the real proof comes from seeing it in action on-site. That’s exactly what happened when Galliford Try became the first UK company to take delivery of not one, but two CHCNAV ViLi i100 Visual-LiDAR GNSS receivers, supplied by PQS Tech.

We didn’t just drop off the kits. Our team spent the day delivering training and a live demo to show Galliford Try’s surveyors how this next-generation receiver solves problems that traditional GNSS units simply can’t.

The Challenge Surveyors Face

Surveyors know the limitations of conventional GNSS receivers:

Stockpile volumes often require drones or climbing unsafe surfaces.
Obstructed environments like under covers, viaducts, or dense infrastructure usually mean switching to a total station.
Accuracy drift in tricky conditions leads to wasted time, inconsistent results, and additional site visits.

The ViLi i100 was designed to address these pain points, and our demo with Galiford Try showed exactly how.

Demonstration: Volumetric Survey in Minutes

The first live task was a volumetric survey on a stockpile.

Using the integrated LiDAR scanner, our team walked around the base of the stockpile in just a few minutes. The ViLi i100 captured a dense point cloud while logging position data, all processed directly on the connected controller.

From there, it took only a few taps to define the boundary and generate an instant cut-and-fill volume calculation. The Galliford Try team saw first-hand how this workflow:

Eliminates the need for drones in restricted zones.
Removes the safety risks of climbing stockpiles.
Produces a reliable, exportable volume report in the field.

What used to take hours—or a combination of kit—was done in one pass with one device.

Demonstration: Accurate Fixes Under Cover

Next, we showed the team one of the ViLi i100’s most groundbreaking capabilities: holding a fixed position where GNSS alone would normally fail.

By combining SFix 2.0 with LiDAR and multi-sensor fusion, the receiver maintained 5 cm accuracy within a 20 m radius, even after losing direct satellite visibility under cover.

For Galliford Try, this means surveyors can continue capturing reliable points:

Under canopies or covers on construction sites.
Near structures where multipath interference usually ruins accuracy.
In confined or obstructed areas where traditional receivers simply can’t deliver.

The demo proved the i100’s mantra: once right, always right.

Why This Matters for Survey Companies

The Galliford Try demo highlights why the ViLi i100 isn’t just a new receiver—it’s a game-changer for the entire surveying industry.

Productivity: Faster workflows and fewer site revisits.
Safety: Contactless LiDAR scanning means surveyors stay on the ground.
Confidence: Stable, jump-free positions even in GNSS-obstructed environments.
Flexibility: One device handles CORS, UHF, PPP, visual stakeout, and LiDAR-based workflows.

For surveying companies, this means fewer devices to manage, reduced project costs, and the ability to bid confidently on jobs that demand accuracy in the most challenging conditions.

Galliford Try Leads the Way

By investing in the first two ViLi i100 receivers in the UK, Galliford Try has shown its commitment to equipping its survey teams with tools that push the boundaries of what’s possible on site.

With PQS Tech’s training and support, their teams are now ready to put the technology to work immediately—bringing new levels of efficiency and reliability to their projects.

Final Thoughts

The ViLi i100 proves that GNSS receivers don’t have to be limited by the sky. By combining GNSS, LiDAR, IMU, and vision, it provides surveyors with a rover that works where others fail.

For any surveying company looking to save time, reduce risk, and deliver consistent

accuracy, the ViLi i100 isn’t just another option—it’s the future of surveying.

📞 To learn more or to book a demo, contact PQS Tech today: