Hexagon has announced the acquisition of indurad, a global leader in radar and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) technologies, along with its autonomous haulage subsidiary, xtonomy. It said: “This strategic move underscores Hexagon’s commitment to advancing mine productivity, safety, and autonomy through cutting-edge technology.”

Key cited benefits of the acquisition are enhanced mine safety using indurad’s advanced radar-based collision avoidance systems to mitigate risks in high-stakes mining environments; and increased productivity thanks to real-time ore tracking and measurement to help automate mine workflows, reducing downtime and inefficiencies.

It also brings future-ready autonomy – as indurad’s mobile machine automation expertise and OEM-agnostic autonomy platform combined with Hexagon’s existing technologies will help accelerate the shift to fully autonomous mines.

“This acquisition represents another step towards realising our vision of fully connected and integrated mine workflows,” said Norbert Hanke, Interim President and CEO of Hexagon. ”indurad’s radar technology aligns perfectly with our focus on safety and autonomy, and we are excited to integrate their capabilities into our portfolio to unlock its full potential.”

Based in Germany, indurad specialises in modular radar systems that deliver precise object location tracking, collision avoidance, and machine automation capabilities. These innovations will enhance Hexagon’s integrated life-of-mine portfolio, it adds “further solidifying its leadership in the mining industry.”

The transaction is expected to close in late November, at which point indurad will be fully consolidated into Hexagon’s Autonomous Solutions division. In 2023, indurad reported revenues of approximately €19 million, with profitability initially below Hexagon Group levels but expected to improve as synergies are realised. The company has 140 employees globally.