FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
The FrontRunner Autonomous Haulage System ( AHS ) eliminates operator inconsistencies , which reduces variabilities in the haulage cycle
( IP ) we do request that the third-party companies sign a simple non-disclosure agreement ( NDA ) prior to API deployment .”
Over the past year , what has been achieved in the market with the new APIs by Modular ? “ We have implemented the APIs at multiple Tier 1 mines around the world . The increasinglypositive responses reflect that the APIs are performing as expected and delivering increased value . By implementing one or more of the Modular Mining APIs , our customers gain the ability to streamline siloed processes , reduce or eliminate redundant hardware and infrastructure , and realise increased value from their DISPATCH and / or ProVision technologies , and their complementary third-party systems . Through the HME Aftermarket API , for example , the DISPATCH FMS could exchange data with a third-party material sensing system mounted on the bucket of a Cat shovel .”
As a company does Modular see the future of
digital mining and autonomy as being truly ‘ open ’ with mines able to select a range of solutions that suit their needs ? “ As the business of mining becomes increasingly complex , third-party applications are being brought to market at a rapid pace . In response , primary technology providers must intensify their efforts to promote real-time data-sharing among the mines ’ core systems ( such as the FMS ) and the function-specific applications , sensors , and aftermarket components . In the fully-connected mine , each third-party system will continue to perform its intended function – be it blast simulation , bench modelling , or supply chain management . And then , through integration , interoperability , and bi-directional data exchange , the mining technology ecosystem will become more effective , overall .”
Finally on the automation aspect of working with FMS , IM spoke to William Nassauer , Manager - AHS Product Strategy , at the Komatsu AHS Center of Excellence . Is it the case that a mine using a Komatsu fleet and Modular DISPATCH with PROVISION and maybe also FrontRunner AHS will get the maximum benefits from these systems as they are all designed to work together ? “ Mining has been , and will continue to be , OEM-agnostic , which enables our solutions to operate on any make and model of truck , shovel , or other mobile equipment unit in a mine ’ s fleet . That said , when Modular Mining and Komatsu technologies are installed together on Komatsu equipment , the inherent synergies lead to enhanced performance and greater realised value . For example , the FrontRunner Autonomous Haulage System ( AHS ) eliminates operator inconsistencies , which reduces variabilities in the haulage cycle . Because the arrival , departure , and travel times of the autonomous trucks are predictable , the DISPATCH 6 FMS optimisation is even more effective . As another example , when the DISPATCH 6 , ProVision , and FrontRunner systems are deployed in conjunction , mines benefit from less hardware redundancy because components such as GNSS receivers and antennas , are shared .”
But does implementation of Komatsu AHS still mean Modular DISPATCH has to be used as the FMS or can it still work if required with a thirdparty FMS ? “ The FrontRunner and DISPATCH systems are tightly integrated , and the pairing is likely to always , at least to some extent , be required for any Komatsu AHS deployment . However , as both technologies continue to evolve and become more intelligent , the integration will also evolve in ways that are yet to be determined . We believe that the distinction between fleet management systems and autonomous supervisory systems will blur over time , making it difficult to draw straight lines between them . To help promote the convergence of the technologies , Komatsu has developed new opportunities for third-party systems to interface with the Modular Mining open technology ecosystem . The interface will enable a gradual and strategic leveraging of a wide range of external inputs , potentially including those from other FMS .”
IM iVolve unlocks FMS benefits for smaller fleets iVolve ’ s latest product offering , Mine4D Go , aims to unlock the benefits of our powerful Mine4D solution to small and medium size fleet customers . “ By combining simple in-cab operator input with intelligent vehicle location awareness , iVolve Mine4D Go calculates complete production cycles for vehicles and reports accurate operational data to site managers . Mine4D Go is simple to install and delivers the foundation for an optimised mining operation that has a direct and immediate impact on a customer ’ s ROI .” Mine4D Go is offered on a hybrid cost-of-acquisition model that includes both fixed and subscription-based pricing , which enables customers to have more flexibility in their budgeting and expenditure . Lowering the barrier to acquire and use its technology is a key objective for iVolve and its customers . The flexibility of the iVolve system allows customers to explore additional functionality as their
operation grows so they can naturally migrate from Mine4D Go to the fullfeatured Mine4D FMS solution . “ By tapping into the data-rich machine interface and the powerful edge computing algorithms of Mine4D , many additional insights become available to the machine operators through the in-cab display . Furthermore , the full Mine4D solution enables a higher grade of automation as compared to Mine4D Go , which reduces the need for manual input from operators , and allows operators to focus on more efficiently operating the vehicle and optimising their performance .” Following the iVolve value proposition of turning complex problems into simple solutions , iVolve says it has also developed a new range of analytical tools and dashboards with usability and area of interest in mind . “ By granting customers access to real-time data from mobile assets , iVolve systems allow customers to make informed decisions in both day-to-day operations and strategic planning . Customers drive the development and delivery of new technology in our business .”
MAY 2021 | International Mining 33