Xpanner’s Physical AI Eliminates 100% of Manual Marking on Solar Sites

Physical AI is moving beyond robots into the cab of construction equipment. Xpanner’s new pile distribution tool uses real-time GNSS input and software algorithms to guide operators, effectively turning a skid loader into a precision placement machine. This is a practical demonstration of how AI can transform a manually intensive, error-laden process into a streamlined, digital workflow.

On August 3, 2026, Xpanner, a ConTech startup with dual operations in Santa Fe Springs, California and Seoul, South Korea, announced the launch of Shake-Out, a GNSS-guided pile distribution application designed specifically for skid-loader operators on utility-scale solar construction sites. This tool aims to eliminate the traditional, labor-intensive marking task that has long been a bottleneck in solar farm development. According to the company's press release, Shake-Out leverages Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology to guide operators in real time, replacing the need for physical survey pins and dedicated marking crews. This innovation targets one of the most time-consuming and error-prone phases of solar construction, where crews historically spent hours locating buried or missing pins, manually calculating pile positions, and reporting progress verbally at day's end. By digitalizing this workflow, Xpanner promises to boost productivity, reduce rework, and provide immediate project visibility.

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Xpanner’s new pile distribution tool uses real-time GNSS input and software algorithms to guide operators, effectively turning a skid loader into a precision placement machine.

The significance of Shake-Out lies in its potential to accelerate the deployment of utility-scale solar energy. As global demand for renewable energy surges, solar capacity additions are projected to reach record levels, but construction delays and labor shortages often hinder progress. The manual shake-out process, which sets the pace for subsequent pile-driving operations, is particularly susceptible to human error and inefficiency. Pile bundles, counts, and color codes are tracked manually, and operators rely on intuition and experience. When survey pins go missing—a common occurrence due to grass growth or submersion—teams must halt work and request costly re-surveys. Xpanner's application digitizes these tasks, offering on-screen guidance that ensures piles are placed precisely according to design, thus minimizing waste and downtime.

From a technological perspective, Shake-Out represents a convergence of GNSS positioning, software algorithms, and heavy machinery operation. While GNSS has been used for machine control in earthmoving and agriculture, its application to pile distribution on solar sites is a niche yet impactful innovation. The tool is built for skid loaders, a common vehicle on construction sites, making it accessible without requiring new equipment. By leveraging “Physical AI”—a term Xpanner uses—the system integrates sensor data and positioning to support real-time decision-making by the operator, effectively turning a manual task into a digitally guided process. This is part of a broader trend toward construction autonomy, where software robotics and AI augment or replace manual processes.