COLLISION AVOIDANCE
with its VIC . With GHH now part of Komatsu this is continuing . “ Generally , equipment OEMs would like an interface on all of their new products that will be able to working with any third party PDS to take away concerns about integration complexity with multiple PDS providers in different parts of the world . This is why they recognise the importance of a universal integration solution .”
The PDS choice is a mine choice – so while some OEMs may end up offering their own CAS solution with a partner – some mines are also likely to go with other PDS technologies based on their own partnerships , plus to accommodate older and mixed fleets . The equpiment OEMs don ’ t necessarily have the engineering capacity to deal with this complexity therefore the VIC gives them more options .
Staying with surface trucks , and a major progression for Nerospec SK there is that the VIC is now deployed on surface fleets in South Africa – to date Nerospec SK ’ s market has been almost entirely underground . The neroHUB with a PDS is being rolled out on over 100 surface vehicles across several major chromite mines . Pohlmann : “ This is one of the biggest and most challenging changes we have been working through with our technology . These machines are significantly faster and also very heavy , especially when loaded . So there are a lot of extra considerations that we need to take into account both in terms of the electrical and hydraulic intervention but also doing it in a safe way – such as how rapidly is the slowdown being applied . You don ’ t want to overbrake and then have the truck slide . We also need to consider the slope , and our neroHUB tracks the slope angle for that . Overall it requires more practical testing to consider how the
system behaves .”
OmniPro Vision AI honoured with OH & S award
As a leader in safety and productivity solutions for the mining and industrial sectors , Matrix Design Group says it continues to push the boundaries of innovation with OmniPro Vision AI , a system utilising artificial intelligence to alert equipment operators to pedestrians , vehicles and other potential hazards . OmniPro leverages IP67- rated cameras and advanced AI to deliver realtime hazard alerts while providing detailed operational reports , helping mines maintain the highest safety standards . The technology recently received a 2024 New Product of the Year award from Occupational Health & Safety ( OH & S ).
“ This award underscores our dedication to delivering transformative technology that enhances safety and productivity ,” said Brian
Jones , Matrix Vice President of Sales and Marketing . “ Our team works tirelessly to ensure OmniPro Vision AI exceeds expectations , offering collision avoidance technology that sets a new standard .”
OmniPro Vision AI offers several key advantages according to Matrix . First , high-speed processing reduces false positives and minimises nuisance alarms that could lead to desensitisation . Tag-free operation does not require personal wearable devices while it offers optional integration with machine controls , such as slowing or stopping equipment .
In addition to enhancing safety , OmniPro provides valuable operational insights to management through a robust data reporting system , which can be customised to meet operational needs .
Epiroc on CAS emergence
Epiroc ’ s CAS journey really took off when it acquired South Africa-based Mernok in early 2023 , which formed the basis of the subsequent development of Epiroc ’ s Titan CAS . Mernok was founded by Schalk Janse van Rensburg , still its General Manager , back in 2009 . The company ’ s main activity at that time was applying collision avoidance and traction control technology on tracked machines such as rocker shovels and locomotives . These are distributed through Battery Electric ( Pty ) Ltd , a leading underground railway control systems manufacturer . As these machines are interacting with trackless machines , collision avoidance technology was developed for this equipment as well . Mernok had its own fully integrated system but also
International Mining | JANUARY 2025