Hexagon launches vehicle intervention system
Global information technologies
provider Hexagon AB has announced
the launch of HxGN Mine VIS,
a vehicle intervention system that
detects and prevents collisions by
automatically slowing down or even
stopping a haul truck if an imminent
collision is detected. The HxGN
Mine VIS was officially unveiled on
13 June 2017 at HxGN LIVE 2017,
Hexagon’s international conference
hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Leveraging industry-leading
technologies from Hexagon Mining,
Mine VIS is an additional layer
of safety on top of the collision
avoidance system (CAS), helping
to avoid incidents, injuries, and
fatalities. Mine VIS manages traffic
in the pit and, by reacting when and
if operators don’t react, it ensures
safety rules are followed.
Hexagon president and CEO,
Ola Rollén, said, “Safety demands
more than just partial solutions.
Mines can be dangerous places.
Heavy traffic, large equipment, and
poor visibility all create the potential
for accidents. Mine VIS is a
significant enhancement to a safety
portfolio that can save customers
from the costly consequences
of accidents. It improves CAS
by taking control of a machine
if the operator does not react
appropriately to a CAS warning.”
CAS provides drivers of large
vehicles with 360-degree proximity
detection at any speed and in all
conditions via cabin display units.
It is installed in more than 25 000
vehicles in over 60 mines worldwide.
Mine VIS can take control of
the machine in certain defined
situations if the operator does not
react appropriately to the initial
CAS warning. The system can act
depending on the situation, either
by inhibiting propulsion, activating
the retarder, or applying the service
brake.
True to Hexagon’s integration
strategy, Mine VIS can also be used
in conjunction with the company’s
fatigue-detection, alerting, and
reporting solution: FatigueMonitor.
It uses the same sensors and user
interface to protect the customer’s
initial investment. Hexagon Mining
worked closely with an OEM
to realise this vision of a last-
resort system that mitigates the
consequences of a collision.
Mine VIS is being installed
in Anglo American Kumba
Iron Ore’s Sishen mine in South
Africa. The company contacted
Hexagon Mining after conducting
an extensive risk assessment of its
operation to understand major
risks. Together with the customer,
Hexagon Mining defined a step-by-
step approach to develop a solution.
Mine VIS is timely in South Africa
where government regulations will
compel surface mines to implement
such systems on heavy machine
equipment by June 2019.
Hexagon president and CEO, Ola Rollén.
AUGUST 2017
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