Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM) and Clarion have jointly developed an overview monitoring system to support operator safety checks surrounding machinery. The system enables synthesized images taken from several cameras mounted on mining earthmovers to be shown on a display from the operator’s seat. The system has already completed basic performance tests using a prototype.
Future plans call for commercialising the system to conform with the specifications of HCM’s mining trucks and ultra-large hydraulic excavators by spring 2012.
Based on the development of in-vehicle compact camera technology promoted by Clarion under the concept of supporting safe, secure and comfortable driving, the overview monitoring system featuring several wide-angle cameras will be fitted on the machines. The images taken from respective cameras will be converted and synthesized and shown on a display from the operator’s seat as a bird’s-eye view focused on the machine.
In addition to the proximity of machinery, the operator can switch to ‘zoom display’ and ‘wide display’ in accordance with machinery needs requiring wide-area monitoring. With this functionality, operators can quickly comprehend situations surrounding their vehicle, such as the positions of other machines or service vehicles.
HCM has been continuously promoting initiatives to enhance on-site safety. In 2001, the company launched a rear monitoring system that comprises a rear-view camera and display from the operator’s seat as optional equipment for hydraulic excavators. In 2006, HCM introduced this system as, it says, “the world’s first standard equipment on all hydraulic excavators that are 6.5 t or larger.
The overview monitoring system, which has been developed in collaboration with Hitachi Group companies, is expected to significantly contribute to operational safety on site.
System Overview
(Example of mining dump truck equipped with overview monitoring system)
[Components]
- Four cameras ([1]Front[2]Right side[3]Left side[4]Rear)
- Image synthesis controller (inside operator’s compartment)
- Display (inside operator’s compartment).