Pronto AI is another newcomer bringing a fresh Silicon Valley mindset to the challenges of autonomous haulage in mining. At MINExpo 2021 this year it is set to introduce its A2B AHS based on trials with a fully equipped Bell B50E ADT. The company has impressive credentials – Pronto AI was founded in 2018 and in that same year became the first, and still the only, company to successfully drive coast-to-coast in the United States without a single driver input. It says it is also the technology provider for the only truck-focused autonomous vehicles demonstration project sponsored by the US Department of Transportation. “This provides Pronto with a unique opportunity to engage with regulators, policymakers, research institutions, truck operators and other stakeholders to help shape the regulatory landscape for autonomous trucks.”
Today, Pronto says “it brings that same industry-leading technological innovation to products with real value to real customers, right now.” A2B it says can be installed on virtually any OEM brand and type of truck, whether rigid, ADT or even a class 8 semi. It is ‘plug and play’ with existing and mixed fleets so there is no new equipment to buy or complex additional maintenance. It says its business model is built on close cooperation with customers, from several of the world’s largest natural resources companies and aggregates producers to small, independent operations. “We focus on seamless integration, ease of use, and a practical, iterative approach to technology adoption that creates real value from day 1. This new model for avanced technology deployment is cost-effective and pragmatic, making A2B the safest and best value autonomous haulage system, period.”
It also claims to be the only autonomous haulage system with a no obligation free trial allowing a mine to get extra hauling capacity for free and without any capital expenditure requirements. “After the trial, only pay for what you use. Hours-based pricing with zero upfront costs. The more you haul, the lower the hourly rate. First trials can be up and running in as little as one day. Pronto takes care of everything from install to MSHA outreach, for a glitch-free transition to autonomy.” A2B can also be deployed as a top-tier collision avoidance system helping drivers and improving site safety without going autonomous.
Users it says can view live video and data feeds, select haul routes, dispatch units, adjust loading and dumping locations on the fly, get real-time maintenance alerts, and respond to collision threats. Minimal training is needed and operators can command a single unit or the entire fleet remotely without a control room or expensive networking infrastructure plus integrate with the FMS or telematic solutions of choice.
“Pronto is the only autonomous haulage vendor that also develops safety products for congested, unpredictable highway driving. That shared technology foundation significantly boosts the performance, functionality and safety of our offroad systems. A2B by Pronto is the only computer-vision based autonomous haulage system. It is therefore the lone solution on the market that takes advantage of the latest breakthroughs in machine learning (ie artificial intelligence) and is not constrained by the limits of legacy technologies or of brittle sensors like LiDAR.”
The company adds: “We embrace and tackle uncertainty head-on. While others rely on numerous operational restrictions in the hopes of avoiding uncertain events, our advanced artificial intelligence was specifically engineered for unpredictable environments. We provide more layers of protection to ensure safe operations than anyone else. Whereas the typical safety case for autonomous haulage is built around geofencing and isolating autonomous trucks, we go above and beyond by building in numerous other protections.”
Pronto says it is the only autonomous software developer for trucks with fully-integrated and OEM-independent products. “Our customers are free to choose the mix of vendors that optimises their production because we respect them and trust that they know their own operations best. Put simply, A2B is the only autonomous haulage offering that is not bundled with other offerings that customers may not want or need.”
It concludes: “Our leadership team has been at the forefront of the most important advances in autonomous vehicles for over 15 years. We are proven moneymakers, with an unrivalled track record of pioneering not just the latest technologies, but also the best business models, for the entire autonomous vehicles industry. We have launched multiple successful companies and products, which have already created billions in customer and shareholder value. Most importantly, customers choose Pronto because of our perfect safety record and because our practical, collaborative approach creates significant value from the get-go. We take the time to understand customer’s businesses at a deep level. We then adapt the A2B system accordingly in order to truly transform their operations. We invest in our customers’ success by shifting nearly all the risks and logistical burdens of new integrations from them to us. That’s autonomy simplified.”
A2B uses cameras as the primary (and radar as secondary) sensors, so it can operate safely even in low-bandwidth of limited GPS settings. “Unlike other autonomy systems, intermittent networks and GPS do not compromise safety. Camera, radar, GPS and multiple neural networks work together to instantly detect and avoid people, vehicles, equipment, debris, berms, animals, edges and other threats. A2B is uniquely capable of identifying and responding to threats even in the total absence of both. A2B’s lean, robust, modular design makes it truly offroad capable. It drives in weather and road conditions where other autonomous systems, or even people, cannot. This is beacause A2B is an advanced software-based system. Eliminating the brittle hardware that competing systems rely on translates to far fewer points of failure and much less maintenance.”
Mines “teach” the system a route by manually driving it once; it is then wirelessly communicated and repeated continuously by the entire fleet. Units are easily dispatched to previously saved routes using the phone app, or reverted to manual mode at the flip of a switch. The system constantly monitors its performance and the critical systems of the truck it is installed on. The redundant checks diagnose problems quickly with instant alerts for vehicle or autonomy system faults boost safely and prevent costly maintenance and downtime.
Driver assist is also an option from Pronto AI. These features are optimised for each site and deployed on the existing, manually-driven fleet. “Whether it’s active steer assist to prevent running off the road, throttle limiters that eliminate overspeeding on steep grades, automatic braking to avoid running over people or equipment, or a host of other safety features, Pronto ensures that every customer’s biggest safety challenges are addressed quickly, reliably and affordably.”
All components are built for severe vibrations and weather and the entire system can be replaced in a few hours. Local safety managers stay in control and work closely with Pronto to further enhance safety. “The system is easily programmed to add site-specific operational safeguards and rules of the road. A2B monitors its own health plus the safety-critical systems of the truck hundreds of times per second, providing dispatchers with automatic safety alerts and continuous real-time awareness. A robust app keeps site operators in constant control. A single unit or the entire autonomous fleet can be stopped remotely in the event of an emergency from the field or the office.”
