Autonomous Bell ADT trial right on my doorstep

This news item was doing the rounds on the social media scene last week, so I figured its worthy of a stand-alone post here on the Digger Man Blog.

Whether we like it or not, in many aspects of life the human element is being taken out, we have all seen it in the supermarkets, being funnelled down the self-service checkouts, and in Finland the majority of fuel stations are now completely unmanned.

It’s a little bit disconcerting really, what will become of humans in the future, fortunately I will be long gone by then, but it does make you wonder where its all heading.

Autonomous dumptrucks have been working very successfully in Australia for many years, with little drama and one cannot fail to be impressed by the technology involved. For mind numbingly boring jobs like dumptruck driving, it does seem to make a lot of sense if the conditions are suited to it.

Bell Equipment and Chepstow Plant International have been demonstrating an autonomous-ready drive-by-wire Bell B40E articulated dumptruck at Sibelco’s china-clay pit, Cornwood quarry, near Ivybridge in Devon.

Said to be a UK-first project, this demonstration follows long-term trials between South African manufacturer Bell Equipment and Xtonomy, a German technology company, who are autonomous haulage system specialists.

Witnesses who attended the event, saw presentations highlighting the on-board hardware and software technologies, including radar sensors, GPS, multi-channel communication systems and on-board processing hardware. They have been incorporated by Xtonomy into a standard B40E dump truck to create an autonomous-ready drive-by-wire B40E solution.

The theory is that autonomous operations will be safer and more efficient. It could also reduce wear and tear on the vehicle.

Ben Uphill, operations director for Kingsteignton Cluster at quarry-owner Sibelco, said: “We envisage many benefits from having access to this sector-first autonomous ADT solution. The minerals & aggregates sector must embrace technology as a way of continually delivering improvements across our daily operations and cost base.

“Automation is used in many parts of our operations and business, to maximise efficiency and to also manage areas of skills shortage. This has been a fantastic example of collaborative ethos from all partners and has resulted in a safe and productive autonomous driving setup for a key part of our operations.”

Bell Equipment managing director Nic Grout added: “The ability to transform our market leading vehicle through added technology functionality into a safe, robust, effective and autonomous quarrying asset is welcome and sets the standard for future developments across our vehicle range.”

John Corcoran, managing director at Chepstow Plant International, said: “CPI is delighted to be involved in this exciting and UK-first collaboration; one that is focused on a next generation adventure to ensure UK quarries continue to maximise operational efficiencies and remain competitive. It is important that stakeholders come together in this way to drive advancements and support the industry’s future prospects, whilst continually remain committed to our safety standards and net zero commitments.

“We are sure that this pilot project will deliver both progress, as well as further challenges. Both of which will provide the pathway towards the ultimate goal.”

With it becoming increasingly difficult to find individuals to operate plant and machinery, autonomous machines could ultimately be the solution to many company’s recruitment issues.