[row disablegap=”true”]
[col size=”double”]
Remote control excavators like the one seen here (above) have moved millions of tons of material as they assist in cleanup efforts at the Bingham Canyon Mine near Salt Lake City, Utah.
[/col]
[col]
The particular flavor of automation we specialize in at Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) is driverless vehicle technology. We develop the hardware and software that converts vehicles from manual to robotic control. Those new to this technology might ask: “Why anyone would want to automate a vehicle?”
Safety
The first and probably the most compelling reason to automate a vehicle is safety. Many of our customers started their investigation into automation because they had some sort of safety concern.
For example, the well-known landslide at the Bingham Canyon Mine in April of 2013 created a significant safety hazard. The landslide left a massive amount of unstable terrain too dangerous for human operators.
[/col]
[col]
ASI supplied the automation technology for six remote control excavators that could be operated from a safe distance, allowing cleanup to commence while also keeping the operators safe. The excavators have since moved millions of tons of material as part of the clearing efforts that are scheduled to extend into 2016.
Productivity
The second reason to automate is productivity. We’ve spoken to a lot of people from the mining, farming, and automotive industries, and all seem to be having issues finding and keeping drivers. Simply put: people get bored. No matter what level, humans crave variety, mental stimulation, and want their jobs to mean something in the world. If stuck in a repetitive task, workers may lose attention to detail and productivity or may avoid jobs that appear boring altogether.
[/col]
[/row]
[row]
[more]
[col]
Alternatively, machines excel at maintaining productivity in precise, repetitive tasks over long periods of time.
ASI’s technology is designed in such a way that it is not possible to completely eliminate human interaction. Even considering our new artificial intelligence systems that choreograph vehicle interactions in a robotic ecosystem, humans still play an important role.
[/col]
[col]
Operators create vehicle paths, troubleshoot issues, analyze report data, and make the complex decisions that the robotic technology is not capable of. In this way, automation doesn’t eliminate jobs, it shifts the nature of jobs. Dull and mundane tasks are placed in the hands of robots where they can enhance productivity; tasks that emphasize human strengths, such as critical thinking and decision-making, are given to operators.
[/col]
[col]
Accuracy and Repeatability
The final benefits of automating a vehicle are accuracy and repeatability of tasks. As mentioned in the previous section, humans are fantastic at critical thinking and decision-making skills, but are not good at repeating very precise activities over long periods of time.
For example, automotive testing requires a high degree of accuracy and repeatability to ensure tests are valid. Robotic technology can be used to give test engineers much greater control over single variables than with human drivers.
[/col]
[col]
Test engineers at Ford Motor Company’s Michigan Proving Grounds enjoy a boost in accuracy through a robotic durability testing program that was originally installed to prevent driver injuries.
Testers found that on the most punishing tracks, drivers were slowing down or bracing for impacts, and test results were affected. The robotic driver program now ensure that test events are performed to spec every time with very little variation.
To learn how vehicle automation can help you improve safety, productivity, or accuracy, submit a project description, and an ASI representative will contact you.
[/col]
[/more]
[/row]