New fully-automated electric truck charging technology from Caterpillar makes mine sites safer
The automated energy transfer system uses robotics, vision systems, and controls to fully automate the charging process
Caterpillar has successfully demonstrated a new battery electric truck charging technology at its Tucson Proving Ground in Green Valley, Arizona. The Cat Automated Energy Transfer System (Cat AETS) utilizes robotics, robust vision systems, and controls to fully automate the connection between a battery electric machine and a two- to six-megawatt stationary charger.
The system replaces the manual process of mine site personnel connecting and disconnecting a charger from a battery electric machine.
Increasing site safety while decreasing downtime
"When it comes to meeting production goals, every second matters on our customers' mine sites," says Caterpillar senior vice president Greg Hepler. "Through our advancements in mining technology and automation, our repeatable processes enhance machine reliability and ultimately reduce downtime. Caterpillar is proud to offer the solutions that create benefits for the battery electric machine charging process."
Cat AETS enhances mine site safety by removing site personnel directly from the machine charging process, according to the company. This facilitates a more fully autonomous site operation. Automating the charging process can also reduce downtime and improve consistency and reliability of the machine charging process. Cat AETS is a standard addition to the company's recently announced Cat Dynamic Energy Transfer system (Cat DET).
