Empowering mining ' s autonomous future
FATIGUE MONITORING
MDT showing their fleet assignment – tracking timing and load haul status for example – but also now displaying their SmartCap fatigue score . So one screen and one point of reference .”
Operator ’ s fatigue level is monitored and displayed in real-time with Wencomine FMS on one screen . Notifications such as event windows and alert sounds are prioritised to notify users of fatigue status change . You don ’ t have to have Wencomine to have SmartCap , it is just that the two have been optimised to work together in a very streamlined way . All that is required is a SmartCap Bluetooth dongle that then integrates with the Wencomine system , connecting the SmartCap LifeBand to the Wencomine FMS . This minimises hardware , integration time and machine downtime and means SmartCap is fully retrofittable for all existing Wencomine users . This ease of install is also increasing demand for SmartCap significantly among mines already using Wencomine . And vice versa it allows Wenco to leverage existing SmartCap customers who might be looking to change FMS or upgrade it , to consider Wencomine .
Eli Alston , GM of Safety Solutions at Wenco International Mining Systems added : “ This is quite significant as it is the only in-cab fatigue management system in the market that doesn ’ t require additional computers or screens . So it ’ s a real differentiator when teamed with Wencomine . Many of our FMS customers now see SmartCap simply as an operational cost upgrade to their existing system – so it ’ s an enhancement or add on – which greatly reduces their time in terms of approvals .”
As SmartCap relies on the LifeBand which is effectively an electroencephalogram ( EEG ) monitoring operator brain activity , it does not use a camera . Alston commented : “ In some of our big user regions , such as South America , the union presence is strong and they often advocate on behalf of the operators . In many cases they will not accept a camera due to privacy reasons but a wearable is fine for them .”
IM also asked Sparrow and Alston if mining companies see SmartCap as the only solution they need or is the preference sometimes to use it as the preferable predictive solution but also having a reactive solution in place as a last resort ? Sparrow : “ It really depends on the customer ’ s needs and preferences as well as reflecting what incidents they have had in the past . We think the proactive and predictive approach is the best option as it is ’ nt recording microsleep events , it is preventing them . Once you are alert and know what your fatigue level is , you are also more productive and less likely to be distracted .”
Alston added : “ That said , we do see sites that opt for both predictive and reactive solutions at the same time . If the goal is to save lives , then why not put in multiple systems if the cost is neglible from an operational point of view . And I think we will see more of this layering approach .
We have had customers come to us that were only using camera-based systems , mainly for auditability reasons and avoiding distraction . But they had recognised they were still having microsleep incidents plus there was a lag between the microsleep detection and the operator being alarmed . They wanted to layer in SmartCap as a much more proactive and preventative step .” On average , after one month using SmartCap , 93 % of operators are able to self-manage their fatigue and within one year , fatigue triggered alarms are reduced by an average of 71 %.
What ’ s beyond the big haul trucks – ancillary and light vehicles ? Sparrow : “ SmartCap is ideal for wider fleets . Firstly it is not limited as camera systems are by different operator positions and head movements seen on machines such as dozers and graders . Secondly there is its portability – you wear the LifeBand and you are ready to go .” Alston adds : “ We also think that its economics on smaller machines is better – as you don ’ t need all the additional hardware to process video footage plus the bandwidth needed for that . Our onboard computing is done within the screen , there ’ s no separate edge computer to install . This also means it is an ideal solution for smaller mines like industrial minerals mines and aggregate quarries . Many mines also use SmartCap between the camp and the mine on operator ’ s own light vehicles and on bus transports . You can go in and out of the mine
Empowering mining ' s autonomous future
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