Apparatus and method for determining position

An improved receiver for use in a robotic theodolite spatial positioning apparatus that allows a single user to determine elevation and azimuth angle data. To determine elevation angle of the receiver, the receiver has a sensor that receives a first position signal and a second position signal emitted from an optical transmitter. The receiver outputs a first and a second receive signal. A calculator in the receiver determines the first interval time separation between the first and second receive signals, converts the first time interval separation into elevation angle data and outputs the elevation angle data. A display in the receiver receives and displays the elevation angle data. The receiver is selectively positionable within a workspace. Determination of azimuth angle of the receiver is made by receiving a strobe pulse, determining the periodicity of the pulse and comparing the periodicity with transmitter calibration information stored in the receiver, and converting the measure of time separation into azimuth angle data. The display in the receiver receives and displays the azimuth angle data. Additionally, the user can select desired azimuth and/or elevation angles, and the display can guide the user to the desired location.