AUTONOMY SENSORS
Paul Moore spoke to Laura Wrisley , VP of Sales , Velodyne Lidar , about the technology evolution in mining
Q In the early days of autonomous mining fleets , was it a case of using the best available LiDAR from other industries and making it work for mining ? A Velodyne is the pioneer of 3D LiDAR , jump-starting the autonomous industry with the invention of real-time surround view LiDAR technology . One of our first large customers was Caterpillar , who chose our rotational products to equip off-road vehicles in the areas of mining , construction , quarry and aggregate , earth-moving and worksite planning . Our LiDAR technology allowed Caterpillar to create a high-resolution 3D virtual map of site surroundings , detecting obstacles and enabling safe navigation and route planning . This has helped to advanced safety and efficiency at mining sites . We ’ ve leveraged key learnings from this partnership which helped us to adapt , ruggedise and innovate our technology . Through the ever-growing adoption of Velodyne ’ s LiDAR , we have enabled the expansion of autonomous solutions and broadened our impact in not just the mining industry , but a wide variety of industries worldwide . Use of LiDAR has grown to include automotive , industrial sites , robotics , drones , mapping , smart cities and security .
Q What unique challenges eg vibration , dust , weather etc . do mining bring to LiDAR whether surface or underground and how are the latest LiDAR sensors supplied to mining addressing these ?
Velodyne says it is the pioneer of 3D LiDAR , jump-starting the autonomous industry with the invention of real-time surround view LiDAR technology
A Unstable geological structures and loose ground within large , unsupported underground openings ( stopes , raises , drifts , etc ) are often the sources of ground falls that can endanger personnel , underground infrastructure , and equipment . The traditional method used by mining engineers to regularly inspect these areas can be time consuming , produce poor quality , incomplete scans , and place personnel in hazardous environments .
Our broad range of products offer the ability to automate surveying and inspection by generating a 3D virtual map of the surrounding environment . Our LiDAR solutions are optimal for industrial applications requiring precise measurements , object-tracking , and the powering of autonomous movement . Our newest directional , solid state sensors such as the Velarray M1600 , Velarray H800 and Velabit offer high-resolution , reliability , and a variety of ranges in compact form factors . Our sensors can be embedded in mobile machinery to enable safe navigation or are not robust to these conditions will lead to increased costly downtime and will fail to deliver the full potential benefits of automation . “ Radar can be trusted to perform in all environmental conditions and when covered in dust and dirt , ensuring fewer disruptions , increased efficiency and total safety confidence . Radars on mining vehicles need to be able to withstand extreme vibrations , shock events and rough handling . Over the last 15 years of field testing , the early models of radars ill-equipped for these challenges have been industrialised to the
FLOTATION ’ 21
8-11 November , 2021 | Online
Sponsored by : Promet101 , Maelgwyn Mineral Services , Magotteaux- Gold Ore , CiDRA Minerals Processing , Hudbay Minerals , Senmin , Clariant , BASF , Eriez , Nouryon , Festo , FLSmidth , Zeiss , Kemtec Africa , Solvay , International Mining & Critical Minerals Association
PHYSICAL SEPARATION ‘ 22
May 9-11 , 2022 | Online
Sponsored by : CEEC , International Mining , Imformed , Cornwall Mining Alliance & Critical Minerals Association
With 50 years of experience , DUX offers a range of underground articulated four-wheel drive equipment designed to meet the needs of mining and tunnelling projects worldwide .
Contact DUX today for field-proven underground haulage , utility and scaling solutions .
DUX MACHINERY , 615 Lavoisier , Repentigny , QC , Canada J6A 7N2 (+ 1 ) 450 581-8341 I sales @ duxmachinery . com
INTEGRATEDMINPRO ‘ 22
June 13-15 , 2022 | Online
Sponsored by : ProMet101 , International Mining , Cornwall Mining Alliance , & Critical Minerals Association
SUSTAINABLE MINERALS ‘ 22
July 11-14 , 2022 | Online
Sponsored by : Zeiss , Metso : Outotec , International Mining , CEEC , Cornwall Mining Alliance , & Critical Minerals Association
PROCESS MINERALOGY ‘ 22
November TBC 2022 | TBC
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62 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2021