Komatsu’s teleoperated blasthole drills and mining dozers aim to make mines safer and more productive
New remotely operated machine technology is designed to take operators out of high-risk environments and make training more efficient
Komatsu has been working to improve mine safety and productivity through two separate teleoperation advancements for its blasthole drills and mining dozers. These advancements mark Komatsu's next step toward the future of remote-controlled equipment, allowing operators to manage heavy machinery from an off-site location.
By integrating new teleoperation technology into the core of the equipment, Komatsu gives customers the opportunity to enhance productivity while prioritizing worker safety, particularly in high-risk environments.
Non-line-of-sight drilling for the blasthole drill line
This new technology allows operators to remotely control drilling operations from off-site locations, offering increased flexibility and safety. Komatsu's drill automation technology is designed to reduce operational variability, improving blasthole quality and fragmentation through precise execution of drill patterns. Benefits include more consistent production output, reduced machine wear from less experienced operators, and improved downstream process efficiencies.
"Komatsu's drill automation technology portfolio is designed to provide flexibility and support our customers' growing need for remote and autonomous drilling. Non-line-of-sight teleremote operation is our next exciting offering, expanding upon our existing capabilities to provide more operational freedom, safety, and productivity," says Jesse Dubberly, vice president of surface drilling at Komatsu.
Teleoperated dozers revolutionize safety and productivity in harsh environments
Komatsu also has new teleoperation technology for its mining dozers, which integrates modular ProVision machine guidance with automatic blade control. This technology provides precise and reliable remote operation, even in the most hazardous environments, such as stockpiles and ripping applications. Komatsu teleremote dozers, which have already been deployed in Brazil and Australia, allow operators to maintain productive operations from a distance without sacrificing control or efficiency.
This system eliminates the need for dozer operators to endure high-risk conditions, including high-vibration environments. By using the automatic blade control technology, Komatsu aims to mitigate the latency issues typically associated with teleoperation, ensuring consistent productivity.
Primary benefits identified at customer sites include the complete removal of operators from hazardous zones, increased production in high-risk environments, and the opportunity for less experienced operators to reach proficiency in a shorter time period. In addition, teleoperation offers training capabilities directly at the console and reduces downtime for shift changes or breaks.
