Tag Archives: vehicle tracking

Retenua’s RefleX machine vision tech set to go underground in EU-backed project

Communications in mining, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , ,

An EU-backed project looking to tap into the full potential of the ‘digital mine’ goes live this month, with Retenua’s AI-driven RefleX™ machine vision technology set to be further optimised, adapted and tested as part of the scope.

The illuMINEation project under the European Union-backed Horizon 2020 has a budget of €8.9 million ($10.5 million) and is looking to embed digital thinking into the heart of the mining sector by improving digital skills of mining personnel and enhancing the cooperation along the entire digital mining value chain, according to Retenua.

“Europe urgently needs to reduce its import dependency in respect to a multitude of raw materials,” it said. “In order to do so, Europe’s mining industry must completely redesign the process of traditional mining via the adoption of pioneering innovations and extensive use of data analytics.”

The illuMINEation project will highlight significant aspects of digitalisation in underground mining activities with the core objective of improving the efficiency as well as health and safety of European mining operations and its personnel, Retenua said, with RefleX set to be one technology to undergo testing.

In the scope of IlluMINEation research project, RefleX will be employed in demanding underground mining environments. The core technology of Retenua’s product line emitrace®, RefleX includes both embedded infrared stereo vision hardware and smart algorithms for detecting and tracking workers and equipment from mobile heavy machinery.

The ability to reliably detect worksite personnel and selected infrastructure in the vicinity of vehicles not only in good daylight conditions but also in poorly illuminated environments makes Retenua’s solution highly suitable for use both above and below ground, the company says.

The technology evaluation and customisation will be primarily carried out in collaboration with project partner Epiroc Rock Drills AB and represent an important step towards improved safety standards in mining operations, Retenua said.

The multidisciplinary project consortium within illuMINEation consists of 19 partners from six European countries, constituting a well-balanced assembly of world leading industrial and academic players from a multitude of technical fields and applications, it added.

This includes Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft MBH, Epiroc Rock Drills AB, ams AG, KGHM Cuprum sp zoo, DMT GmbH & CO KG, GEOTEKO Serwis Sp zoo, Lulea Tekniska University, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, KGHM Polska Miedz SA, Minera de Orgiva SL, RHI Magnesita GmbH, DSI Underground Austria GmbH, Retenua AB, IMA Engineering Ltd Oy, Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Worldsensing SL, Instytut Chemii Bioorganiczney Polskiej Akademii Nauk and Boliden Mineral AB.

Blue Sky Network launches highest resolution vehicle tracking system on the market

Communications in mining, IoT, Mining services, Mining software, , , , ,

Blue Sky Network, an Iridium Satellite Communications partner, has announced the release of a new dual-mode, real-time tracking and vehicle management solution that could have applications in remote mining operations.

Certified by Iridium, the HawkEye 5500 (HE5500) offers full integration of on-board systems, support for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles, two-way messaging, a remote emergency switch, collision detection, audible alerts, RFID and Bluetooth driver identification and customisable application integration, according to the company. It is the first vehicle tracking system to offer this comprehensive set of features, Blue Sky Network says.

The HE5500 uses 2G/3G/LTE and the Iridium satellite network to provide global “always-on” coverage with the highest resolution tracking and communication on the market, the company said.

“Capabilities include offloading diagnostics, user, and other on-board system data over AES- 256 encrypted communications to a fleet operations centre, or through a tailor-made Bluetooth connected application,” Blue Sky Network said. “Users can customise reporting rates based on movement or location and provide driver feedback when safety violations occur.”

Nick Tucky, Vice President of Sales for Blue Sky Network, said: “The HE5500 replaces legacy systems for mission-critical operations including mining, defence, security, public safety, search and rescue, and executive transport in remote, austere environments.

“The HE5500 represents a monumental step forward in Blue Sky Network’s commitment to providing future-proofed, advanced technology for vehicle fleets of all sizes. Its capabilities and advanced on-board sensors are unique features that allow forward-looking upgrade compatibility for years to come.”

All operations are tracked via Blue Sky Network’s portal, SkyRouter, which allows for effective high-security command and control of fleets anywhere on the planet, the company says.