By combining Hexagon’s underground collision avoidance system with HARD-LINE’s TeleOp system, a leading safety combination is born.
At the heart of every Hexagon solution is safety.
And the company’s underground collision avoidance system (UG CAS) is no different.
Designed to enhance safety and efficiency in underground mining operations, Hexagon UG CAS provides operators with 360° awareness via non-intrusive cabin display units for surrounding vehicles and equipment when travelling at any speed and in all conditions.
The technology allows operators to see not only the location but also the direction of travel of nearby people and other vehicles. The system then uses this information to incorporate path prediction and leverage auditory and vibration alarms that alert drivers to collision risks.
“Hexagon is a leader of surface safety with our Hexagon CAS solution, and the in-house expertise behind that solution applies to Hexagon UG CAS as well,” Hexagon underground portfolio manager Mateus Quintela told Safe to Work.
“Hexagon UG CAS is built with a customer-centric mentality, meaning it has an easy interface for the operator to understand, is simple to install, and leverages innovative technologies available in the market.”
UG CAS is part of Hexagon’s expanding autonomous mining portfolio, which is designed to help the industry future-proof operations and address challenges such as operational productivity and decarbonisation.
Also falling under this forward-looking portfolio is Hexagon’s suite of offerings powered by HARD-LINE, a leading heavy machinery automation company Hexagon acquired in July 2023.
The acquisition allowed Hexagon to purchase a plethora of leading automation solutions such as TeleOp, an autonomous system that remotely operates heavy machinery from a control station in a safe area on the surface or underground.
TeleOp enhances safety by eliminating exposure to common mining hazards such as dust, flying rock, diesel fumes and noise, allowing the operator to comfortably control the equipment from a distance.
HARD-LINE senior director Ryan Siggelkow told Safe to Work the TeleOp and radio remote control (RRC) systems have already been utilised in several Hexagon applications. Most recently, Hexagon integrated TeleOp with UG CAS to create a safety powerhouse for underground mining.
“The integration of these two world-class systems provides an added layer of protection for sites that would like to further de-risk activities underground,” Siggelkow said. “Hexagon’s UG CAS and TeleOp are integrated in a manner that enables each solution to operate alone or in concert with each other. This means customers can upgrade at any time from a Hexagon UG CAS implementation to add RRC or TeleOp functionality or add CAS to an existing RRC or TeleOp installation.”
Siggelkow said the accuracy and dependability of Hexagon UG CAS will bring users peace of mind.
“Integrating these two systems lays the foundation for the implementation of future technologies like level nine EMESRT (Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table) vehicle intervention, and more enhanced autonomous systems,” he said.
“It also enables added functionality, such as collision detection in vehicle-to-person, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-object situations.”
The blend of Hexagon UG CAS with TeleOp capability further reinforces how Hexagon is delivering on its quest to help mines become increasingly connected and autonomous, ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.
This feature also appears in the November-December issue of Safe to Work.