SURFACE LOADING
BuilderX is one of a new breed of fast evolving start-ups involved in the rapid transformation of China ’ s mining industry as it embraces automation with the help of 4G and 5G networks . IM Editorial Director Paul Moore caught up with CEO Shaolong Sui , a Stanford graduate , who has already advanced the company to one of the key tech players in the development of semi-autonomous , teleremote excavators for mining , including a major project ( see main text ) with XCMG to deliver a 95 t XE950DA teleremote excavator solution for Jiangxi Copper
IM : Can you provide some background on BuilderX and its journey so far ? SS : We were only founded in August 2018 , with the goal of providing productive remote control solutions for machines in mining and construction as well as other industries like tunnelling – to increase safety as a priority , but also improve productivity and also to get more young people interested in working in mine operations where they don ’ t have to live in a remote location . While remote control has been tried before in construction mainly , operator situational awareness and time lag were a major issue which we have addressed using better sensors and algorithms to add automation functions to assist the operator . We treat the operation of the excavator arm like a robotic arm , using sensors to allow much more accurate and quick movements , for example . For proximity detection we have a 360 degree camera .
IM : How did the project with XCMG happen , had you worked with them before on other projects for smaller construction class machines ? SS : We didn ’ t have any collaboration with XCMG before this project , but this project definitely won ’ t be the only one with them going forward . We were helped with some media exposure in Japan ’ s business title Nikkei Asia at the beginning of 2020 ( https :// asia . nikkei . com / Business / Startups / The-automation-technology-helping-cut-mining-costs ), and soon XCMG contacted us via our website . Our first meeting was quite interesting , they said they ’ ve been investigating many technology companies for this project , but none of those companies meet XCMG ’ s requirements – productivity and safety are their main concerns . So we just turned on our remote control system and let them test a teleremote machine in our office , specifically our retrofitted 36 t Volvo EC360 unit 40 km away , controlled through 4G network communication and our BuilderX ULLS ( Ultra-Low-Latency-System ). They tested it for a whole day , and then decided to work with us .
IM : What other experience have you had in working with automation of mining machinery and what has been learned so far ?
SS : We tested our remote control Volvo excavator in a minesite of ShouYun Mining near Beijing for almost all of 2019 . We gained lots of experience through the test . For example , pure remote control doesn ’ t allow loading fast because it ’ s hard for an operator to estimate the loading point through a 2D screen . This is where AI comes in , giving some depth of field . Another example is that excavators are supposed to flatten and clear the loading area when one truck has been loaded and another is coming in to stop . Sometimes BuilderX CEO Shaolong Sui operators also need to find a suitable joint or seam to dislodge material . Pure remote control is not a cure for all , and too many screens will just distract operators . That ’ s why we developed many automation and AI functions . Theoretically , it ’ s a remote-controlled and semi-autonomous excavator . We are also applying our technology to drill rigs . These will not only be applied in mining , for example they are being used in the Sichuan-Tibet High Speed Railway project , which involves lots of tunnelling projects .
IM : Are you also working with any other mining excavator manufacturers aside from XCMG ? Can the technology be applied to very large machines such as 700 or 800 t units and is this part of the XCMG plan ? SS : We are currently working with many manufacturers both in China and internationally . We will have more news to share soon . Our technology can be applied to any make and type of excavator , including 700 t or above . XCMG ’ s plans are confidential , and we are not authorised to release any further details on future projects . The technology can also be applied to large electric rope shovels . However , it ’ s not our first priority right now since it ’ s a relatively niche category in terms of numbers of operating machines .
IM : You say you have applied robotic automation technology to achieve precise moves as well as combined multiple sensors as well as strengthening the background algorithm to increase accuracy & efficiency . Can you provide any more detail on the types of sensors you have used ? SS : The sensors we use are mainly inertial measurement units ( IMUs ) and cameras . These are commonly used sensors but can be applied in harsh environments . The algorithms behind them are the key , however . It is also important to say that we are not obsessed with applying fancy technologies for the sake of it . We are more focused on solving the real mine operator problems with stable and mature technology . Stability and usability is what our customers want .
BuilderX treats the operation of the excavator arm like a robotic arm , using sensors to allow much more accurate and quick movements
IM : What were the main challenges in getting the system to work ? SS : The most difficult part is user training . Operating a mining excavator through remote control will definitely never be the same experience as being in the cabin . Operators need a lot of training and practice . We need them to be confident before running the excavators in primary production roles .
International Mining | MARCH 2021