What it claims is the world’s first 360 degree surround view camera system, for industrial vehicles will be launched in the UK by Spillard Safety Systems, and TDL Equipment at Hillhead 2012. An ASL Electronics & Vision product, ASL360, already successfully proven in the high end passenger car market, this highly sophisticated system is now being made available to the mining – giving operators a real-time bird’s eye view of their entire vehicle and its surroundings. A key advantage of “Optronics 360” over less advanced alternatives is that instead of the view being limited to a short fixed distance from the machine, it can be programmed from horizon to horizon as well as forward and rear. By covering a much wider area this makes it the most effective system on the market for reducing blind spots and improving all round visibility.
“We don’t believe in any compromise or settling for second best where lives and safety are at stake,” said Pete Spillard, MD. “We’ve long been champions of improving visibility with our ALL ROUND VISIONTM and OPTRONICS® brands. We now see this new system taking visibility up to the next level – literally.”
The 360° surround view system uses multiple ultra-wide angle cameras mounted in strategic locations around the vehicle to synthesise a quadrashperic bird’s eye image of the vehicle. Optronics 360 then displays, a real time (30 frames per second) view on the operator’s screen a composite view that looks just as if it’s been taken from above the vehicle, using a single camera with no jump between viewed frames.
Spillard engineers, trained in the new system,will program the high performance electronic control unit (ECU) to suit the exact needs of the individual vehicle and its operating environment. They will also install the cameras in the correct key positions and fit the screen in an optimal position in line with the mirrors. The system can be easily combined with existing cameras, as well as with convex mirrors that also naturally enhance visibility. A free visibility study from Spillard can be a good way of starting the process of analysing and then enhancing the visibility of an individual machine or vehicle.
Visitors to the International Quarrying & Recycling Show at Hillhead (19-21 June) will be able to see live demonstrations of Optronics 360 live on stand B29 and also on the Terex TR100 Rigid Dump Truck.