WHAT’S NEW
Remote working OFF-HIGHWAY REMOTE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY
AVAILABLE, HERE ARE A SELECTION OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
5G EXPLORATION
Belaz is testing the remote control capabilities of its large dump
trucks using a prototype 5G network.
Working with infrastructure operator beCloud and information
technology provider VIST Group, the Belarussian OEM has
equipped a pit truck and loader to receive and send messages on
an LTE-Advanced Pro cellular communication channel (5G). The
technology has been used to test unmanned vehicle control, as
well as the operation of dump trucks in robot mode, as part of its
Smart Quarry project.
The system can scan and analyze geological nuances at the
work site that can be quickly transmitted back to an operator,
shaving 10-11 milliseconds off the time compared to what can be
achieved when relying on the older 4G network.
The equipment and communication channels are continuing
to be fine-tuned with the plan of eventually launching the
solution to market for unmanned vehicle deployment.
12 iVTInternational.com June 2019
IN-HOUSE DEVELOPED TECH
Bobcat has announced its new Remote Control Solution will be
commercially available by the end of 2019. The system, that is
unique in that it has been developed entirely in house by the OEM,
will enable Bobcat’s compact loaders to be fully operated remotely.
Compatible with Bobcat skid-steer, compact track and all
wheel steer loader models equipped with the company’s Selectable
Joystick Controls, Bobcat is the first construction manufacturer
to introduce remote control technology as original plug-and-play
equipment, rather than offering it as an add-on development
from a third party.
The technology was first demonstrated at a Bobcat demo day
and then on the OEM’s stand at Bauma Munich in April earlier this
year. Jiri Karmazin, loaders product manager Doosan Bobcat
EMEA, said, “The remote control system can be used in many
applications with the focus on limitless visibility, the ability to
communicate with the surroundings without the need to be present
in the cab, comfort enhancement for applications with noise,
vibration and harshness or even in dangerous areas. This
was the voice of our customers and the issues we observed
on most jobsites.” OPTIMIZED DRILLING
Epiroc is further optimizing drilling with the introduction of remote control technology designed
specifically for the process. The new teleremote e-tramming function will form part of the firm’s
Simba Automation package that increases safety and productivity in mining and production drilling
applications by enabling the Simba rig to be operated remotely and work in a ‘ring-to-ring’ fashion.
After drilling a ring and retrieving the rods, the rig can be remotely trammed to the next ring,
saving time and work effort. Not only does the tramming process become faster and simpler, the
e-tramming function also provides a safer work environment since the operator can control the
machine from out of harm’s way, even between rings.
Simba rigs that feature Epiroc’s rig control system (RCS) can be operated through a
user-friendly control panel from onboard the rig or from a remote location where potentially
hazardous work conditions can be avoided. With information provided by laser sensors and
cameras mounted on the rig, the operator can navigate, position and stabilize the rig to ensure
that drilling is executed according to plan.
/iVTInternational.com