MINING NETWORKS & CONNECTIVITY
antennas to improve transmission in challenging
environments, according to Fluidmesh. “This
approach adds diversity to the networks
supported by Caterpillar for use in Command
applications,” Cat says.“Cisco provides one of the
most secure and reliable networking technologies
on the market today,” said Liz Centoni, Cisco
Senior Vice President and General Manager for
Cloud, Compute, and IoT businesses. “With
wireless technology playing a greater role in every
organisation’s multi-access IoT strategy, reliable
wireless connectivity is paramount to
organisations operating Industrial IoT
environments, whether that’s manufacturing,
mining, rail, or ports, where wireless technology
automates operations to improve safety and lower
costs. The acquisition of Fluidmesh strengthens
Cisco’s offerings in this space with leading
technology that’s designed to provide zero loss of
data transfer at speeds in excess of 300 km/h.”
Centoni added in a blog post discussing the
move: “Today’s wireless technology is allowing
organisations to improve productivity and worker
safety. Organisations such as Caterpillar offer
wireless technologies for unmanned vehicles, and
mining operations such as Boliden in Garpenberg,
Sweden are using wireless technology to remotely
operate 23 t loaders in a small space. If
communications fail, it could result in the unit
stopping and halting production, ultimately
requiring human intervention. On the other hand,
a loss in communications with a high-speed train
or subway is unacceptable. While most wireless
solutions work well for slow moving objects (<30
km/h), Fluidmesh’s leading technology is
designed to provide zero loss of data transfer at
speeds in excess of 300 km/h.”
The acquisition of Fluidmesh closed in July
2020. Fluidmesh Networks joined Cisco’s IOT
business and continues to deliver its innovative
wireless solutions to customers globally through
its network of specialised channel partners. Cisco
stated: “Cisco’s scale, combined with Fluidmesh’s
solution-based offerings and relationships with
systems integrators, accelerates Cisco’s industrial
Cisco closed its acquisition of Fluidmesh
Networks in July 2020
IoT business, and enables wireless deployments
within industrial envionrments. The combined
offering addresses emerging use cases including
remote operation of equipment and deploying
autonomous robots to maximise productivity.”
Cisco told IM: “As one of the key growth factors
in the mining industry, automation is playing a
critical role in enhancing productivity. That’s why
in early 2020 Cisco decided to integrate their
wireless solutions portfolio with a missing piece of
technology. As an alternative and eventual
The Digital Mine
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