Haul Truck Production and Maintenance Data modelling of Traditional, Autonomous and Operator Assist Scenarios

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Through recent interactions with various mining companies, equipment suppliers, and researchers it has become apparent the industry is about to be faced with how to ensure it capitalizes on the rapid digitalization currently occurring. Gosine and Warrian (2017) offer this description of digitalization***Disruptive digital technologies, including advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, mobile computing, internet of things (IoT), and autonomous and near-autonomous vehicles, were assessed to be among the top 12 emerging technologies that are expected to transform peoples' lives and the nature of work (Manyika, Chui, Bughin, Dobbs, Bisson, & Marrs, 2013). Variously referred to as digitalization, Industry 4.0, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such technologies will likely be ubiquitous, with applications across industrial and consumer markets (BDC, 2017). ***The Mining Industry will be very different 10 years from now than it is today. There will be equipment operating autonomously, as well as tele-operated. They will be communication with each other and making decisions in real time to optimize production while enhancing safety and reducing costs. Some are projecting that the process plant and equipment will be communicating about ore quality needed, required tonnages etc. (GMSG Workshop, 2017).******Depending on the size and life of a particular mine various levels of digitization will be required. The current emerging digitalization technology for Canadian mining operations is autonomous haulage (AHS). However, it not known how this technology will affect how the industry evolves, nor what are the key challenges for wide scale implementation of it. This proposal will present a research program for addressing the unknowns around autonomous haulage as well as looking at the larger implications of digitalization and creating a research pathway for the appropriate and successful integration of emerging/evolving technologies into the industry.******This research will create knowledge around the cost benefits of digitalization of the mining industry and provide a platform for assessing the appropriate level of digitalization to be used based on commodity type, price and size of the mining operation. It will assist in quantifying the real benefits of digitalization and allow the Canadian mining industry to maintain its strong leadership role on the world stage. ***The work on AHS will result in a reduction in greenhouse gasses and lower environmental foot print. The lessons learned in traffic management and mixed fleet operations will create knowledge to support future automation in no-urban environments for potential automated vehicles such as delivery trucks, or ambulances for example. As well, the mining industry the results will be applicable to evolving automation in forestry and agriculture.