RTK for Robotics:
Achieve 1-2 cm Accuracy
RTK for robotics uses Real-Time Kinematic GNSS corrections to achieve 1-2 cm positioning accuracy on autonomous robots, AGVs, and mobile platforms. RTKdata streams NTRIP corrections from 20,000+ base stations in 145+ countries for ROS-based systems, ArduPilot vehicles, and custom builds, no base station hardware required.
- 1-2 cm real-time accuracy
- ROS, ArduPilot, PX4 & any NTRIP receiver
- 20,000+ stations in 145+ countries
- Up to 20 Hz for real-time control loops
Coverage: select a location…
RTK Precision
2 cm
10 cm
What Is RTK for Robotics?
A robot RTK setup requires only a GNSS receiver with NTRIP capability. RTK positioning uses real-time correction data from a reference station network to reduce satellite errors from meters to centimeters, enabling reliable autonomous outdoor navigation. RTKdata streams corrections via the standard NTRIP protocol directly to the robot’s onboard computer. Any compatible receiver achieves centimeter-level positioning immediately. Plans start at $40/month.
Precision Robotics in 3 Steps
From signup to centimeter-accurate robot navigation. No base station purchase, no complex setup.
01
Choose a Plan
Sign up at rtkdata.com in under a minute. No credit card required. Instant access to NTRIP credentials.
02
Enter NTRIP Credentials
Mount your RTK receiver on the robot, wire it to your onboard computer, and configure your NTRIP client with RTKdata credentials.
03
Verify FIX
Once the receiver achieves RTK FIX, your robot receives centimeter-accurate position updates at up to 20 Hz.
Ready to give your robots centimeter precision?
Get your NTRIP credentials in under 2 minutes. Deploy with confidence today.
Why Use RTK GPS for Robotics?
From RTK autonomous navigation to precision agriculture robots, RTK positioning unlocks reliable outdoor automation.
RTK Autonomous Navigation & Path Planning
Standard GPS drifts 1-3 meters, making lane-keeping unreliable. RTK reduces error to 1-2 cm, enabling robots to follow predefined paths, execute precise turns, and return to exact coordinates.
Agricultural Robotics & Weeding
Precision weeding robots need centimeter resolution. RTK-guided agricultural robots stay centered in the row, reducing herbicide use by up to 90%.
RTK AGV Navigation for Warehouse & Logistics
Outdoor logistics AGVs transport materials between buildings, loading docks, and storage yards. RTK provides reliable positioning in open-air environments where indoor-only solutions fail.
Research & Development
Universities and research labs use RTK GPS as ground truth for sensor fusion, SLAM validation, and autonomous vehicle testing. RTKdata provides affordable centimeter positioning for prototyping without enterprise contracts.
Compatible Hardware for RTK Robotics
RTKdata is hardware-agnostic. Any GNSS receiver that speaks NTRIP works out of the box.
GNSS Receivers for Robotics
| Receiver | Best For | Setup Guide |
|---|---|---|
| ArduSimple simpleRTK2B | ArduPilot & ROS prototyping, plug-and-play | Setup Guide → |
| Septentrio mosaic-X5 | Production robots, multi-constellation, AIM+ | Setup Guide → |
| u-blox ZED-F9P | RTK ROS builds, wide community support | Setup Guide → |
| SparkFun RTK Express / Facet | Quick evaluation, built-in display & Wi-Fi NTRIP | Setup Guide → |
Robot Platforms & Autopilots
| Platform | NTRIP Integration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ROS / ROS 2 | ntrip_client + ublox_gps nodes | Publishes NavSatFix with RTK status |
| ArduPilot (Rover / Boat) | Built-in NTRIP client | F9P via GPS port, auto-inject corrections |
| PX4 Autopilot | MAVLink GPS inject | Pixhawk and derivatives |
| Custom Linux (RPi, Jetson) | str2str / RTKLIB / gpsd | Works with any SBC |
NTRIP Client Software
| Software | Use Case | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| str2str (RTKLIB) | Lightweight CLI NTRIP client | Pipes corrections to serial/USB |
| ntrip_client (ROS pkg) | Standard ROS NTRIP package | Publishes RTCM to receiver |
Hardware-agnostic: RTKdata works with any GNSS receiver that speaks NTRIP, from a $200 F9P board on a Raspberry Pi to a $2,000 Septentrio module on a production AGV. Check coverage in your area →
GNSS RTK for Autonomous Robotics
RTKdata provides open-standard NTRIP corrections for AGVs, UGVs, robotic mowers, and autonomous platforms, delivering centimeter-level positioning for navigation, geofencing, and repeatable routes. Integrate RTK directly into your autonomy stack without the complexity of managing local base infrastructure.
Trusted by Robotics Engineers Worldwide
⭐ 5.0 from 26 Google Reviews
“While developing a navigation system, I needed to evaluate RTK aiding and was referred to RTKdata company. I requested a 30-day trial through their website and received access within an hour. I submitted several questions via their support portal and received fast, helpful responses. Excellent service and outstanding support.”
John Bergstrom — PAGM LLC
“Service support outstanding. Recommend the service.”
Craig Hanney — Turfgrass
“Very happy with the Service!”
Tim Sommer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RTK robotics and why does it matter for autonomous navigation?
RTK robotics uses Real-Time Kinematic GNSS positioning to give robots centimeter-accurate outdoor location data. RTK corrections from RTKdata reduce positioning error to 1-2 cm, enabling reliable autonomous navigation without relying solely on expensive LiDAR or vision systems.
Does RTK work with ROS (Robot Operating System)?
Yes. Connect an RTK GNSS receiver via USB, run an NTRIP client node to stream corrections from RTKdata, and publish the corrected position via standard NavSatFix messages. Popular RTK ROS packages include ntrip_client and ublox_gps.
Can I use RTK for indoor robots or warehouse AGVs?
RTK requires a clear view of GNSS satellites, so it works best outdoors or in semi-open environments like loading docks. Many logistics robots use RTK for outdoor yard navigation and switch to UWB or LiDAR SLAM when entering a building.
What accuracy can RTK provide for robot positioning?
With a stable RTK FIX, expect 1-2 cm horizontal accuracy and 2-3 cm vertical accuracy. This precision is sufficient for row-following, precise docking, and repeatable path execution.
What is the latency of RTK corrections for real-time robot control?
RTKdata NTRIP corrections typically arrive within 100-300 ms over 4G/LTE, and the receiver computes positions at up to 20 Hz. For most outdoor robot applications this latency is well within acceptable limits for real-time path following.
Which GNSS receivers work best for RTK robotics applications?
The most popular receivers are the u-blox ZED-F9P (affordable, widely supported in ROS), Septentrio mosaic-X5 (multi-constellation, high reliability), and ArduSimple simpleRTK2B (plug-and-play with ArduPilot). All accept NTRIP corrections from RTKdata.
How is RTK different from standard GPS for robots?
Standard GPS provides 1-3 meter accuracy, causing path drift and missed waypoints. RTK uses correction data from a nearby reference station to reduce errors to 1-2 cm, keeping your robot centered within centimeters on any predefined path.
Start Building Smarter Robots
Get centimeter-accurate outdoor positioning for your robot in under 15 minutes. 20,000+ base stations, 145+ countries. No hardware to buy.