RTK Market Growth Forecast

The global RTK market is expected to experience significant growth over the next 10 years. According to market research, the RTK system market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10-13% from the late 2020s to the early 2030s. As of 2023, the global market size has already reached several billion dollars, with expectations to more than double by 2030, driven by the growing adoption of RTK in precision agriculture, construction, and autonomous drones.

As an example, one analysis predicts that the RTK market will grow at an average annual rate of 11.1% from 2025 to 2032.

The RTK market in Japan is also expected to expand. In Japan, the demand for high-precision positioning systems is rising due to initiatives such as i-Construction (the use of ICT in the construction sector) and smart agriculture promotion, aimed at strengthening national infrastructure and improving productivity. Advanced technologies are being adopted in industries such as construction, surveying, agriculture, and logistics, with RTK receivers being utilized to support business efficiency, ensure safety, and meet the development needs of autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure. With advancements in technologies such as RTK and multi-frequency GNSS, accuracy and reliability are improving, and in Japan, where innovation in fields like robotics, urban planning, and agriculture is highly valued, RTK demand is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.

Key Market Trends and Growth Drivers:

• 5G Communication and Cloud RTK: The widespread adoption of low-latency, high-reliability 5G communication networks will accelerate the transmission of real-time correction data for RTK, enabling more stable positioning over a wider area. Furthermore, the development of cloud-based RTK services utilizing communication networks is progressing, making it easier to use RTK positioning even with small sensors and wearable devices that do not require base stations.

• Advancements in Precision Positioning Technology: The introduction of multi-frequency and multi-constellation GNSS systems, along with satellite-based augmentation services (such as Japan's QZSS "Michibiki" with CLAS and the future integration of PPP-RTK), has significantly improved the accuracy and availability of RTK. As a result, the growing demand for high-precision positioning in new fields such as autonomous driving systems, smart agriculture, and infrastructure management is driving market growth.

• From Traditional to Emerging Sectors: Traditionally, RTK was focused on specialized fields such as surveying and construction machine control. However, in recent years, RTK has become essential for precision agriculture and construction DX, driving a rapid increase in demand. Additionally, the importance of centimeter-level positioning is being recognized in emerging fields such as autonomous vehicles, drones, and smart cities, expanding the scope of the RTK market. For example, applications in autonomous vehicle navigation, future flying mobility, and infrastructure inspection robots are expected to grow.

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Based on the trends mentioned above, the RTK market holds significant growth potential over the next 10 years. As indicated by various reports on "RTK Market Forecast," a scenario of double-digit growth is likely to continue both domestically and internationally, with the demand for centimeter-level positioning expected to expand further.

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Areas of Expanding Demand
Specific fields where the demand for RTK technology is expanding include construction industry DX (digital transformation) and agriculture DX. In addition to enhancing these existing sectors, RTK is also key to the automation of logistics and infrastructure, as well as the realization of smart cities. Let's take a closer look at how RTK is being utilized in each of these fields and contributing to market growth.

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Construction DX and RTK
In the construction industry, the promotion of initiatives like i-Construction has led to the widespread adoption of ICT-based construction, with high-precision positioning through RTK becoming the core of the construction process. For example, RTK-GNSS is used for real-time position measurement in machine control and guidance of construction equipment such as bulldozers and excavators, enabling operator support and automated control. This results in increased efficiency and labor savings in tasks like land development and leveling, and it also helps address the shortage of skilled workers.

Additionally, RTK is starting to be utilized for as-built management (post-construction surface measurement) in civil engineering projects. In recent years, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has developed guidelines for as-built measurement methods using RTK-GNSS in earthworks and other areas, promoting its application in on-site inspections. Traditionally, measurements were taken using total stations or levels, but now, by using RTK-equipped GNSS receivers, measurements can be conducted quickly, enabling reduced inspection time and immediate quality confirmation. In the context of construction DX, the use of 3D data across the entire construction site is advancing, and alongside drone aerial photography and ground laser scanning, RTK positioning has become a crucial technology supporting the digitalization of construction sites.

On actual construction sites, a reference station antenna is installed to perform localization, aligning the positioning with the site’s coordinate system, while construction machinery equipped with GNSS receivers continuously adjusts its position during operations. For example, major construction companies in Japan are standardizing RTK on their ICT construction machinery, and by combining it with high-precision positioning services such as VRS and CLAS, they are creating an environment where centimeter-level precision can be achieved for construction projects nationwide. Given this backdrop, the demand for RTK in the construction sector is expected to continue growing steadily in the future.

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Agriculture DX and RTK
In the agriculture sector, the adoption of RTK technology is accelerating to realize smart farming. Automated steering of agricultural machinery such as tractors and combines, which use GPS for autonomous driving and straight-line assistance, has already reached a practical stage. However, for further precision, RTK-based correction is essential. By utilizing RTK, the steering error can be kept within a few centimeters, enabling tasks such as ridging, sowing, and inter-row weeding to be performed with the precision of an experienced operator.

For example, in farms that have introduced high-precision straight-line control using RTK, there have been reports of reduced work overlap and inconsistencies, resulting in a significant reduction in annual working hours.

Across Japan, the development of RTK reference stations is progressing as part of efforts to promote agricultural DX.

In advanced municipalities, there are initiatives to build fixed RTK reference station networks on a regional scale and provide correction data to farmers. For example, in Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido, an RTK-GNSS reference station was established in 2013, and it has since been operated as a leading example of smart farming.

Through such infrastructure development, stable correction signals are now available even in regions with insufficient communication infrastructure, such as mountainous areas, expanding the reach of smart farming.

Specific examples of application include rice transplanters optimizing planting positions based on RTK-corrected self-positioning data, and harvest combines creating yield maps in conjunction with high-precision positioning data. Additionally, by combining drone aerial images of fields with RTK coordinates, precision farming is being realized, including visualizing crop growth and performing variable-rate fertilization.

By matching the high-precision positioning data obtained through RTK with soil data and crop information, it becomes possible to enhance field management and visualize soil quality and yield. This contributes to the optimization of agricultural management.

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The expansion of RTK demand in the agricultural DX sector is driven by the need for labor reduction and increased efficiency in operations. For core farmers, who are aging, automated steering and robotic machinery are key solutions for labor-saving and reducing the need for workers, and the importance of RTK in ensuring their accuracy is growing. Over the next 10 years, it is expected that RTK-compatible guidance systems will be widely adopted in many agricultural fields, making them accessible not only for large-scale operations but also for small and medium-sized farmers.

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Logistics & Infrastructure (Drones, Autonomous Vehicles, Smart Cities)
The demand for RTK technology is expanding into the logistics, infrastructure management, and smart city sectors. In particular, in emerging areas such as drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) and autonomous vehicles, centimeter-level positioning is key to ensuring safe and efficient operations.

In drone surveying, by using RTK-equipped drones and base stations, the positional accuracy of orthoimages and point cloud data obtained from aerial photos can be greatly improved. Traditionally, in drone photogrammetry, numerous ground markers were set up and corrections were made during post-processing. However, with RTK drones, position correction is applied during flight, reducing the number of reference points required and significantly improving the efficiency of the surveying work.

RTK drones are also playing a key role in monitoring construction site development and infrastructure inspections (such as bridges and transmission towers), enabling real-time 3D data acquisition from the sky. SoftBank's high-precision positioning service, "ichimill," is also expected to be used in drone-based construction site management, with ongoing trials to demonstrate its effectiveness.

RTK is also crucial in the field of autonomous driving. Autonomous buses and robot taxis operating on public roads require lane-level high-precision self-positioning. GPS alone has errors of several meters, which is insufficient for lane-keeping, but by using RTK, these errors can be reduced to within a few centimeters. In demonstration experiments, autonomous buses using Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) and RTK-GPS have been tested, with efforts to simultaneously control multiple vehicles without human monitoring. Additionally, RTK is being used for controlling unmanned transport vehicles in restricted areas such as ports and airports. SoftBank's ichimill service is expected to be utilized in use cases such as autonomous driving of agricultural tractors, drone management at construction sites, and autonomous buses within airports, with demonstrations progressing in collaboration with companies across various sectors.

As the automation of public transportation and logistics systems advances in the future, RTK infrastructure will become increasingly important as a part of the societal infrastructure.

In the context of smart cities, RTK will play a key role in enhancing location-based services in urban spaces. For example, by incorporating RTK functionality into IoT sensors for infrastructure monitoring or wearable devices, high-precision positioning can be used for applications such as detecting small structural displacements and elderly monitoring systems.

With cloud-based RTK combined with 5G, sensors located throughout the city will be able to transmit real-time high-precision location data to the cloud. This will enable a variety of smart city services, including road infrastructure maintenance, optimal control of logistics robots, and route optimization for emergency vehicles.

As such, the expanding demand for RTK in emerging fields such as drones, autonomous driving, and smart cities is becoming a key factor in driving overall market growth. As these initiatives enter full-scale implementation over the next 10 years, RTK is expected to become an indispensable technology as part of the societal infrastructure.

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Challenges of RTK Technology and Future Solutions
Despite the high precision and convenience of RTK technology, there are several technical and regulatory challenges that need to be addressed for its widespread adoption. In this section, we will examine the challenges related to communication infrastructure, maintaining positioning accuracy, as well as cost and regulatory hurdles, and discuss potential solutions moving forward.

• Communication Infrastructure Development: For RTK positioning, real-time transmission of correction data from the base station to the rover is essential, requiring a stable communication infrastructure. Currently, areas with unstable mobile communication, such as mountainous regions and offshore locations, face the challenge of maintaining RTK accuracy. Solutions include further expansion of mobile network coverage, the realization of low-latency communication through 5G, and the development of a nationwide reference station network by both public and private sectors. In Japan, approximately 1,300 electronic reference points (GEONET) have been established nationwide, and network-based RTK services utilizing these points are available. Additionally, the use of centimeter-level augmentation services (CLAS) via the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System is another solution. With CLAS-compatible receivers, correction data can be received from satellites even in areas where internet communication is unavailable, effectively enabling RTK-level positioning anywhere in the country. The challenges related to communication infrastructure are expected to gradually be resolved with the future expansion of 5G/6G and advancements in satellite internet technology.

• Maintaining Accuracy and Environmental Factors: The accuracy of RTK positioning is influenced by the reception of satellite signals, and in urban areas with tall buildings or forested regions, challenges arise from multipath (signal reflections) and signal blockage, which can lead to a decrease in accuracy.

• There are also limitations in environments such as tunnels or indoors, where GNSS signals cannot be received, making RTK unusable. To overcome these challenges, the use of complementary technologies is being advanced. For example, sensor fusion with IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units) allows for position estimation through autonomous navigation during temporary satellite signal loss, and hybrid positioning methods combining positioning using mobile base stations or Wi-Fi are being researched in areas with building obstructions. Additionally, using multi-GNSS receivers that leverage multiple satellite positioning systems (including not only GPS but also GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and Michibiki) increases the number of visible satellites, aiming for uninterrupted positioning even in urban areas. In the future, with the advancement of positioning algorithms and the expansion of augmented satellites, technologies that can maintain centimeter-level accuracy stably even in harsh environments are expected to evolve.

• Cost and Miniaturization of Equipment: Traditionally, RTK positioning systems were expensive as they required a full set of equipment, including receivers, antennas, communication devices, and power supplies, and their installation and operation required specialized knowledge.

• High-precision GNSS receivers have historically cost several million yen per unit, making it difficult for small businesses and individuals to adopt RTK systems. However, recent technological innovations have led to the development of more compact and affordable RTK systems, gradually addressing this issue. For example, the emergence of low-cost RTK modules that can be integrated with smartphones, along with cloud-based correction services, has made it possible to utilize high-precision positioning without the need for dedicated equipment. Services like SoftBank's "ichimill" have significantly reduced the initial setup costs, which were previously in the range of several million yen, making RTK adoption more accessible. In the future, the effects of mass production and reduced communication costs will further drive down barriers, enabling high-precision positioning that anyone can use.

• Standardization and Interoperability: RTK systems can vary in communication protocols and data formats depending on the manufacturer or service, which can lead to compatibility issues between different devices. There is a need for the industry as a whole to develop standard formats, interfaces, and ensure interoperability between positioning services. For example, in Europe and the U.S., the RTCM format is used as a common standard for correction data, but further expansion and cooperation are needed to support new satellites and additional features. In Japan, efforts are underway to build an open correction information distribution platform through public-private partnerships, creating an environment where any receiver can use the service. As standardization progresses, users will be able to choose services regardless of the device, leading to market expansion and increased competition.

• Impact of Regulations: The widespread adoption of RTK technology also requires regulatory development. First, in relation to the use of positioning data for public surveying, the Surveying Law is involved. In Japan, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) has established guidelines for network-based RTK surveying, specifying procedures to recognize data as official surveying results. Future updates to the regulations are expected to allow for flexible integration of new technologies. Additionally, when operating RTK-equipped unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), compliance with the Aviation Law is necessary. There is a need for clearer and more relaxed regulations to promote the use of RTK-equipped drones while meeting weight requirements and flight permission conditions. Moreover, when setting up a private RTK reference station, a wireless station license under the Radio Law may be required. There are efforts to utilize communications that do not require licenses (e.g., using Ntrip via mobile networks) or to collectively obtain and share licenses in local regions. Finally, for autonomous vehicles, alignment with road transport vehicle laws and police guidelines must be considered. However, high-precision positioning itself is not restricted; on the contrary, it is a recommended technology for ensuring safety. Overall, regulatory challenges are mainly due to the lag in legal frameworks, but they will gradually be resolved and relaxed as technology matures and social implementation progresses.

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As outlined above, RTK technology faces challenges related to communication infrastructure, maintaining accuracy, cost, standardization, and legal regulations. However, solutions are being implemented across various sectors, and it is expected that within the next 10 years, a high-precision RTK positioning environment that is "accessible anywhere, anytime, by anyone" will be established. In fact, many of these challenges are being overcome with the introduction of the latest services and products, and the foundation for the widespread adoption of RTK is gradually being built.

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Relation to LRTK
The recently introduced LRTK (Lightweight RTK) technology is gaining attention as a solution that can overcome the challenges of RTK and contribute to market growth. LRTK, provided by Refexia Inc., is a compact and affordable RTK-GNSS positioning technology that, when integrated with a smartphone, allows for easy centimeter-level precision positioning.

Now, let's take a look at how LRTK specifically contributes to the expansion of the RTK market and what advantages it offers.

Contribution to Market Growth: LRTK is a technology that embodies the miniaturization and cost reduction of RTK equipment, making what was previously expensive and large-scale RTK systems more accessible. For example, the "LRTK Phone" is an external module that can be attached to a smartphone, enabling easy centimeter-level positioning using just the smartphone.

By making centimeter-level positioning, which traditionally required specialized surveying equipment, accessible on a smartphone for one person per device, more people, such as construction and surveying workers or agricultural practitioners, can now take advantage of high-precision positioning. This significantly broadens the potential user base for the RTK market, leading to an increase in demand.

Advantages of LRTK (Compact, Lightweight, Cost Reduction, Smartphone Integration): LRTK devices feature a compact, all-in-one design that makes them easy to carry. For example, the "LRTK Pro2" is a palm-sized RTK terminal that integrates the antenna, GNSS receiver, battery, and communication module into one unit, offering robustness to withstand harsh outdoor environments. Additionally, it supports CLAS (Centimeter-level Augmentation Service) from Japan's QZSS (Michibiki), enabling positioning with satellite corrections even in areas without internet access, making it suitable for surveying in mountainous regions.

These features make LRTK a much more user-friendly and cost-effective RTK solution compared to traditional equipment. For example, the "LRTK Phone" allows positioning to start quickly by simply installing the dedicated app on a smartphone and attaching the device. It is used in applications such as attaching centimeter-level coordinates to photos taken with a smartphone for cloud storage in concrete crack inspections or disaster surveys.

A subscription-based version is also available, allowing flexible deployment where users can utilize the system only for the required period, thus keeping initial costs low.

Another unique product example is the "LRTK Helmet". This RTK device can be easily attached to a work helmet, allowing workers to conduct continuous surveying simply by walking around. It allows full mobility even when both hands are occupied, and the ultra-thin antenna can be mounted onto a standard helmet. The device transmits coordinates to a smartphone via Bluetooth, enabling data sharing with a remote office for immediate verification and instructions. This feature makes it highly practical for real-time, hands-free surveying in various work environments.

In this way, LRTK is offering innovative styles that meet new on-site needs, and has the potential to dramatically enhance the efficiency of positioning tasks.

LRTK's Position in the Future RTK Market:
With the advent of LRTK, the RTK market now includes a "low-cost and easy-to-use consumer model." By expanding the range of options from high-end high-precision surveying equipment to smartphone-integrated devices, users can select the most suitable RTK solution based on their needs. LRTK is particularly well-suited for deployment in construction and agriculture, enabling new workflows where each worker carries an LRTK device to collect and share real-time location data. For example, in construction management, each worker could carry an LRTK device to immediately send as-built data to the cloud, where it is aggregated and quality-checked in the office, making it a practical and efficient solution. Additionally, in fields such as disaster prevention and infrastructure inspection, non-specialized personnel can obtain the necessary data with just a smartphone and LRTK, broadening the scope of operations.

Overall, LRTK can be considered a key technology in realizing the "democratization of RTK." Due to its compact size, light weight, and low cost, if it continues to spread, it will significantly contribute to the overall expansion of the market. RTK usage will penetrate niche use cases and small to medium-sized user segments that were previously inaccessible with expensive, specialized equipment, and as a result, it is expected to support the growth of the RTK market over the next decade.

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Summary and Outlook
RTK technology, which enables centimeter-level high-precision positioning, is expected to become increasingly important across various industries over the next 10 years, with its market forecasted to experience significant growth. The global RTK market is expected to grow at an annual rate of around 10% through 2030, expanding from its current market size of several billion dollars to potentially several hundred billion dollars in the future. In Japan, the demand for RTK is expanding with the trends of construction DX and agriculture DX, and high-precision positioning services will become an essential component in the context of strengthening national infrastructure and promoting smart cities.

Looking at the industry-specific outlook, in the construction sector, RTK is expected to become the standard technology for ICT-based construction, with its use becoming commonplace on every construction site. The automation of surveying and construction management will progress, and RTK-equipped construction machinery and positioning devices will contribute to improving productivity on site. In the agriculture sector, as precision farming and smart agricultural machinery continue to expand, RTK is expected to become standard equipment in agricultural machinery, spreading not only to large-scale operations but also to general farmers. In logistics and transportation, with the practical use of autonomous vehicles and drone logistics, RTK infrastructure may play a crucial role in supporting traffic management systems and delivery networks. In future smart cities, high-precision positioning data will become a key data layer for urban operating systems, enabling real-time monitoring and control of human movement and the flow of goods.

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Attention should also be given to advancements in the technology itself. The continued development of multi-GNSS and multi-frequency capabilities, the use of AI in positioning algorithms, and the practical implementation of PPP-RTK, which combines satellite positioning with ground infrastructure, are all contributing to the evolution of RTK technology. For example, the wide-area correction distribution via satellites, which is progressing in Europe and Japan, provides a complementary relationship with RTK, ensuring accuracy is maintained even when communication is interrupted. Through the integration of such new technologies, RTK will continue to evolve into a more seamless and robust positioning solution.

Finally, the emergence of LRTK, a new concept in RTK solutions, provides a bright outlook for the future of the RTK market. As LRTK advances the "democratization of RTK," the market size will expand even further, and the day will come when centimeter-level positioning is no longer a specialized technology but a standard tool accessible to everyone. The democratization of high-precision positioning will accelerate industrial automation and digital transformation (DX), significantly changing the way we live and do business. The future of positioning technology will continue to evolve, with RTK at its core, integrating with other technologies to mature into even more advanced and user-friendly solutions over the next 10 years.