Hitachi Construction Machinery Develops Object Detect Assist Technology for Mining Dump Trucks

Functions Added to Peripheral Vision System “Aerial Angle®”

Tokyo, Japan September 26, 2016 —-Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6305; “Hitachi Construction Machinery”) today announced it has developed a technology that supports the detection of obstacles when operators are driving, stopping, or starting mining dump trucks. The functions of this technology have been incorporated into Peripheral Vision System “Aerial Angle®”, which is scheduled to be released in March 2017.

At present, customers engaged in mining operations around the world are striving to improve safety along with the efficiency of the entire mining supply chain, from exploratory mining to excavation, production, processing, transport, and shipment. To achieve these aims, there is increasing demand for machinery manufacturer to incorporate ICT technology into mining machinery and management systems, and to provide solutions that integrate these technologies.

To contribute to the improvement of safety at the customers’ mining, engineering, and construction sites, Hitachi Construction Machinery has previously provided Aerial Angle® for mining dump trucks and hydraulic excavators. Hitachi Construction Machinery has developed the Object Detect Assist Technology for mining dump trucks. The Technology features the Stationary Mode, which incorporates camera image processing technology used in the AROUND VIEW MONITOR® with Moving Object Detection Technology developed jointly by NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD. and Clarion Co., Ltd., as well as the Forward Mode, which incorporates millimeter wave radar technology developed by Hitachi, Ltd. The Object Detect Assist Technology has been incorporated into the Aerial Angle®.

In Stationary Mode, a warning is provided to the dump truck operator while the vehicle is stopping or starting to operate, if any moving objects such as other vehicles are detected nearby. The warning is displayed in the operator’s seat monitor with beep sound. Moving objects are recognized through images captured by cameras mounted on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the dump truck. By quickly notifying the operator of any changes to the surrounding environment, the system contributes to the reduction of collisions.

In Forward Mode, a warning is provided to the dump truck operator while travelling, when approaching another vehicle on the road ahead. The approach warning is displayed in the operator’s seat monitor with beep sound. This mode uses millimeter wave radar, which is effective in poor visibility conditions such as rain, snow, fog, or dust. Two types of warnings are provided to the operator based on the radar data, according to factors such as the approach distance and relative speed of the object. By encouraging the operator to avoid the risk of the collisions, the system contributes to the reduction of forward vehicle collisions caused by inattentive or careless driving.

This technology addresses the important customer issues of improving safety, improving productivity, and reducing life cycle costs. As such, in addition to being part of the fundamental technology for Autonomous Haulage System of driverless autonomous dump trucks that are currently under development, this technology is applied in operator-drived dump trucks.

The Hitachi Construction Machinery Group embraces the “One Hitachi” concept of using the construction machinery technology that we have accumulated over many years in combination with the Hitachi Group’s strengths in ICT & control and IoT technology, while also promoting open innovation. Moving forward, Hitachi Construction Machinery will continue to serve as a familiar and trusted partner by providing “Reliable solutions” that resolve customer issues through collaborative creation.

■Description of Aerial Angle® Functions

1. Stationary Mode

2. Forward Mode

– AROUND VIEW MONITOR is a trademark of NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD. registered in Japan and other countries.

– Aerial Angle is a trademark of Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. registered in Japan.