PRODUCT FOCUS
among workers. An integral part of both of
these options is also increasing the safety
and reducing the risks of everyone working
on a job site. As technology continues to
advance and become more integrated into
every aspect of an operation, we begin to
see new ways in which we can improve
the safety of not just those operating the
machines, but of everyone who might come
into contact with the machines.
Everyone who works with heavy
machinery knows that a certain amount
of risk is inherent in people coming into
contact with large equipment. The best
way to minimise the risk is to separate the
people from the machines. Up until recently,
there hasn’t really been a practical way to do
this, as we have needed people to operate
the machines. However, increasing focus on
the area of autonomous, semi-autonomous,
and remotely operated vehicles and
machines is turning this into a reality. And
while many argue that autonomous and
semi-autonomous machines represent a
threat to the job market, technology is still
years away from taking over people’s jobs
completely. For now, at least, operators are
still needed. The difference is that these
operators now have the option of controlling
the machines from a safe distance, rather
than needing to be on — or inside — the
machines. And while trucks were the
first (and largest) focus, this potential for
remote operation extends to all types of
construction and mining machinery.
Built robotics
Despite the headline-grabbing nature of
self-driving cars, given the sheer number of
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