CAS & FATIGUE reference any CAS incidents with fatigue data- and potentially machine health data as well via ReadyLine.
SmartCap remains the only system on the market using EEG-based fatigue and alertness management.“ In the world of reactive to proactive systems for fatigue, our EEG-based solution is the only one that can detect directly and in real time a change happening in a person’ s physiology,” Tetzlaff explained.“ Looking at the entire continuum- if you are alert, your brainwaves show a very rapid pace, and the more tired you get, the more elongated and oblong the curve becomes. So we show not just fatigue, we also show alertness.”
This means SmartCap can prompt an intervention long before a microsleep event occurs- and unlike other systems, this isn’ t based on modelling, assumptions or interpretations. It’ s a direct measure of the operator’ s alertness and fatigue status. While it is a wearable device, Wenco argues that as a head-worn solution it’ s more flexible than systems requiring glasses, especially for operators who don’ t wear them normally.
The integration between SmartCap and Wenco’ s fleet management system creates opportunities for more comprehensive understanding of site operations.“ Now we have complete interaction and control of the data between FMS, asset health monitoring, and SmartCap,” Tetzlaff stated.“ That includes one central screen that has fatigue risk management and the alertness monitor as well as the FMS. The operator whose fatigue we are monitoring is in the piece of equipment which we’ re also condition monitoring, and then that machine is interacting at a site level to achieve maximum productivity via the FMS.”
This integrated approach allows sites to timestamp and correlate data across systems.“ We can see how alert operators are and how that relates to machine productivity, for example. Plus, we can relate everything to longer term downtime and maintenance requirements on the equipment.”
Tetzlaff emphasized that Wenco’ s commitment to open APIs allows this integration to work flexibly.“ We want customers to be able to use individual elements as layers with other supplier systems if that’ s what they want- for example, if they’ re using another FMS but want to add fatigue monitoring.”
SmartCap’ s EEG-based approach provides advantages across diverse equipment types. The system runs not just in large haul trucks but also in light vehicles, road trains, cranes, drills, dozers, graders and water trucks. It can also be deployed with control room operators, including those managing autonomous haulage systems.
“ The AHS controllers play such an important role in maintaining system efficiency, and there’ s a safety element as they’ re monitoring autonomous machines that have the potential to come into contact with manned machines such as dozers, shovels and others,” Tetzlaff explained.“ Our customers are proactively asking for this coverage.”
The technology’ s reliance on direct EEG measurement rather than environmental assumptions also allows it to transition easily from surface to underground operations.“ The hardware and screen may need to go on different machines and you need to ensure network connectivity is adequate, but these are practical aspects that would apply to any digital technology,” she noted.
Tetzlaff also highlighted SmartCap’ s performance advantages in challenging use cases.“ Most camera-based systems require a certain speed of the vehicle to work properly, so that’ s why they work well in haul trucks, but when it comes to light vehicles or slow-moving equipment, they don’ t perform well. Also, where a person is moving their head around, such as on a grader, camera systems struggle- but ours works as it moves with the operator.”
Weir’ s Fast2Mine launches antifatigue & collision control module
Fast2Mine is now part of Weir Group – and as outlined in this issue’ s news pages has joined Micromine as part of Weir’ s newly established Software Solutions group, together with NEXT Intelligent Solutions, MOTION METRICS™ and Track Pro™. This integrated ecosystem combines capabilities in planning, operations, maintenance, telemetry, analytics and AI to accelerate digital transformation across both open-pit and underground mines.
As part of its growing offering of solutions to mining customers, Fast2Mine has launched a new Anti-Fatigue & Collision Control module, which it told IM is part of Fast2Mine’ s Mining Management System( MMS) which it says delivers real operational results for mining operations. It encompasses fatigue & distraction detection( DMS) using facial monitoring and real-time alerts and Forward Collision Warning( FCW) and safe-distance management adapted to mining conditions. It also has Intelligent Blind Spot Detection( BSD) for pedestrians and light vehicles, with 270 ° coverage. Blacklight camera technology enables accurate detection even in extremely lowlight or dusty environments; plus radar-vision fusion ensures reliability in heavy dust and adverse conditions. V2V communication is used for alerts beyond the operator’ s line of sight. FastMine also says the module has full integration with its Mining Control fleet management system, including event severity classification, dashboards, insights, and automated actions. International Mining | JANUARY 2026 81