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.
Read the full article here
