Komatsu will demonstrate how it can “teleoperate” an excavator loading its autonomous concept truck during MINExpo. The demonstration will highlight the company’s “in-development capabilities to help customers advance their safety and productivity goals," according to a press releasing.
Watch as we ride in the AHS, below.
The excavator, located at the company’s proving grounds in Arizona, will be controlled from more than 400 miles away in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the show. The Komatsu PC7000-11 and its operator will leverage an Immersive Technologies console that provides the user information and views of what is seen from the machine’s actual cab onsite. Multiple cameras and sensors around the machine and bucket, as well as a 360-degree monitor and machine display, support visibility and situational awareness for the remote operator.
Development of the semiautonomous 700-ton-class excavator with teleoperation is nearing completion and Komatsu plans to trial the concept machine at a customer site in 2022.
Paired with Komatsu’s Autonomous Haulage System (AHS), the PC7000-11 features semi-automated teleoperation capabilities to reduce cycle times and combat operator fatigue. Operator-assist with augmented reality (AR) technology supports productivity improvement, displaying information and data to provide real-time feedback to production plan.
Leveraging the machine’s onboard sensors and technologies of Modular Mining and Immersive Technologies, each loading shift is accumulated in the data and translated into insights on ways to potentially improve productivity, safety and reduce running costs. This data is incorporated into online real-time coaching as well as offline coaching. An operator guidance and coaching function is also under development utilizing AR technology.
Source: Komatsu
