CANADIAN TECHNOLOGY
Early in 2024, PROVIX combined its 360 degree aerial view camera system with AI cameras to enhance the ability to detect both personnel and vehicles, with testing having since shown the ability to both slow and stop vehicles and equipment
as well as vehicles with air braking systems, PROVIX explains, adding that it is further enhanced with the use of forward or reverse facing radar to detect inanimate objects.
“ The PROVIX system can be implemented in stages, with personnel and object detection normally being the primary step in deployment,” Winfield explains.“ Vehicle and equipment detection is normally limited due to close
proximity of operating equipment with the AI database being configured to identify sitespecific apparatus due to the varying nature of equipment at facilities and sites.”
The PROVIX 360 AI system is currently deployed on vehicles and equipment operating at ports, industrial facilities and aggregate operations, both in Canada and internationally. OEM testing is currently in progress with several key mining equipment manufacturers deploying the 360 AI system, PROVIX says.
On-site testing of the slow and stop functionality was recently completed at an openpit mine, in Timmins, Ontario, on a Caterpillar 992 surface loader, Winfield said. The automated braking system, meanwhile, was successfully deployed on an underground LHD at an east coast mine site.
In the US, one of the world’ s largest construction companies has selected the Provix 360 AI system as the standard for its public infrastructure projects with implementation on over 100 pieces of equipment so far, according to PROVIX.
Winfield added:“ Unique to the PROVIX 360 AI system is the capability to integrate alternative technologies to address site-specific constraints and issues. PROVIX is well versed in the use of Ultra Wide band, RFID and thermal imaging, for instance, which expand the parameters of collision avoidance technologies through tag and tagless solutions.”
PROVIX’ s thermal imaging vision enhancement system has been deployed in the Canadian oil sands operations for over eight years at all four surface mining tailings operations in Fort McMurray.
MacLean coming to surface
MacLean Engineering recently announced the establishment of a Surface Mining Vehicle Division, building on its 50-year reputation as a fit-for-purpose underground OEM and a decade of battery-electric vehicle design and support in North America, Africa and Australia.
The inaugural model for this new division is