COLLISION AVOIDANCE relying solely on Short Distance Radio and 1D “ bubble ” type zone ranging . It is also capable of reading BLE beacons and working with WiFi / LTE at a high level for data transmission and at a vehicle intervention level with CAN Bus , J1939 ( fully ISO 21815 compliant ); indurad has successfully tested compliance with Nerospec SK before on the application of PDS to LP LHDs in South Africa .
Adding the passive 2D iSDR radar results in a maximum level of robustness , especially for stationary objects and operator guidance of heavy vehicles – the radar is maintenance free and unaffected by dust or smoke , for example , unlike LiDAR . The same iSDR technology is also being used on xtonomy ’ s autonomous haulage system which has been applied on ADTs but also rigid trucks like the Cat 777G .
The ruggedised and compact iSDR can be used underground with 360 ° measurement area ( round scan ); giving measurement of distance to surfaces , persons and objects . It is ideal for specific anti-collision scenarios of q90 m and has an extremely high update rate up to 4,500 measurements per second and accuracy up to < 10 mm depending on measured range & environment . It also allows rock detection for tyre protection reducing OPEX and downtime .
Schauenburg moving to ProXYmus
Schauenburg Systems is one of the longest established PDS / CAS players in South Africa . Underground , Schauenburg ’ s Collision Avoidance System ( SCAS ) offers early notifications to both Trackless Mining Machine ( TMM ) operators and pedestrians to eliminate the occurrence of a Potential Unwanted Event ( PUE ). Potential collisions are identified and communicated as either Level 7 ( TMM operator warning ), Level 8 ( TMM operator advisory ) or Level 9 ( TMM intervention ). With well over 4,000 deployed systems , Schauenburg offers solutions for both surface and underground mining operations and is suitable for Light Delivery Vehicles ( LDV ), LOCOs and TMMs . Customers include some of the major South African platinum mining houses .
It has also grown its surface offering and has two Surface Collision Avoidance Systems ( SCAS ), the portable Light Vehicle Basic ( LVB +) system and the Heavy Vehicle Basic ( HVB +) system . The LVB + system is intended for daily visitors to ensure compliance prior to entering an operational site whereas the HVB + system caters for bigger vehicles and fixed installations . The HVB + complies with the ISO 21815 standard and is classified as a full Level 9 system . Both systems offer dynamic zone configurations and 3 programmable detection zones sizes ( safe , warning and critical zone ). These zones can be adjusted to best fit customer needs and traffic management plan . Furthermore , Schauenburg ’ s dynamic detection zone algorithm complements the production targets of clients as Potential Unwanted Event ( PUE ) detection is a function of vehicle speed and eliminates the occurrence of false warnings and unnecessary Level 9 TMM intervention .
IM spoke to Gawie Croeser , Head of Strategic Business Unit Intelligent Vehicle Solutions : “ Definitely there has been a big upswing in underground Level 9 vehicle intervention activity – one of the reasons aside from the expected , but still not finalised , mandating of Level 9 , is that vehicle to person or V2P represents a major day to day injury and fatality risk . In surface operations , the main risk is based on V2V or metal to metal collisions . The moves on surface are also more influenced by the potential to increase productivity and you could argue that in South Africa it will act for some surface mines as a precursor to installation of autonomous haulage .”
Croeser added that the surface industry has also been slower to implement the ISO 21815 protocol , however , which to some extent has been a hinderance to the PDS suppliers being able to progress in that market . Bell is somewhat of an exception , having drive by wire already implemented on their machines as well as being committed to open autonomy technology as well , working with Pronto AI and xtonomy .
“ The ISO 21815 protocol is still relatively new – if you consider the market size of South Africa