Robotics & Automation News

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Autonomous vehicles: A future without humans

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Automotive companies are showcasing driverless vehicles in a wide range of environments all around the world.

From busy, urban roads in overpopulated cities to remote, desolate landscapes where no human has ever set foot, autonomous vehicles are almost everywhere now.

Almost 400 companies are working towards making autonomous vehicles part of modern society, but the vast majority of their innovations are still in the testing phase, awaiting technical and regulatory approval.  [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicles: A future without humans

Scania and Rio Tinto trialling autonomous truck in Western Australian mine

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Truckmaker Scania and mining giant Rio Tinto are trialling an autonomous truck in a Western Australian mine. (See video below.)

The first phase of the trial started in August 2018 and involves a Scania XT 8×4 autonomous tipper truck working separately from Dampier’s active operations.

During this initial stage, a safety driver rides in the vehicle to observe the truck’s performance and, if necessary, intervenes. In subsequent phases, additional autonomous Scania trucks will be added to develop vehicle-to-vehicle awareness and intelligent fleet supervisory controls. [Read more…] about Scania and Rio Tinto trialling autonomous truck in Western Australian mine

Komatsu autonomous trucks ‘increase productivity by 34 percent’ at Rio Tinto

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Global mining giant Rio Tinto is said to have increased productivity by 34 percent through the use of Komatsu autonomous trucks.

Rio Tinto has been testing and implementing autonomous technology for around a decade, and after a decade of using Komatsu’s massive driverless trucks, the company is integrating autonomous trains into its operations.

Komatsu’s vehicles are called autonomous haulage systems, or AHS. The AHS truck fleet is forecast to drive reductions in operating costs at Australia’s iron ore mines by up to $0.62 per ton by 2020, according to research company GlobalData.  [Read more…] about Komatsu autonomous trucks ‘increase productivity by 34 percent’ at Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto makes first delivery of iron ore with ‘world’s largest robot’

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Mining giant Rio Tinto has achieved the first delivery of iron ore with what it describes as “the world’s largest robot”.

The company’s $940 million AutoHaul programme is focused on automating trains transporting iron ore to Rio Tinto’s port facilities in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Once commissioned, the network will be the world’s first heavy haul, long distance autonomous rail operation.  [Read more…] about Rio Tinto makes first delivery of iron ore with ‘world’s largest robot’

Apple partners on carbon-free aluminium smelting method

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Aluminium giants Alcoa Corporation and Rio Tinto Aluminium have announced a joint venture to commercialise patented technology that eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional smelting process, a key step in aluminium production.

This is a revolutionary advancement in the manufacturing of one of the world’s most widely used metals.

Apple helped accelerate the development of this technology has partnered with both aluminium companies, and the Governments of Canada and Quebec, to collectively invest a combined $144 million to future research and development.

[Read more…] about Apple partners on carbon-free aluminium smelting method

Rio Tinto demonstrates autonomous freight train featuring Ansaldo technology

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Ansaldo STS says its technology and delivery capability were key to the success of mining giant Rio Tinto’s fully autonomous freight rail trial.

Ansaldo is a specialist supplier of driverless technology for metro, rail solutions.

The company says it has now proven its expertise in autonomous heavy freight rail, following Rio Tinto’s recent successful trial of Australia’s first fully autonomous heavy haul train journey (main picture).  [Read more…] about Rio Tinto demonstrates autonomous freight train featuring Ansaldo technology