VisionV2X is your eyes underground

Maptek VisionV2X is a reliable solution that enhances vision underground for all mine personnel, enabling them to make better decisions for keeping people and equipment safe.

Launched in May, VisionV2X is the latest part of the Maptek technology innovation story that began in 1981.

To create a vehicle proximity detection system that underground miners could rely on, Maptek turned to technology already proven in the automotive industry. Maptek engineers applied software smarts, and combined their knowledge of mining with input from ergonomics and human experience experts to design a simple system interface.

The result – VisionV2X – is operating hundreds of metres underground at one of the world’s largest underground copper mines. 

One of the key benefits of VisionV2X is that it does not rely on external infrastructure such as Wi-Fi networks. 

This means that it can operate in any area of the mine, even in areas without power, to continue providing awareness of people and vehicles in at-risk zones.

Safety 

Keeping people and equipment safe is the Number 1 priority for mine managers, operators and supervisors. And at the same time they need to meet their production output and decarbonisation targets.

‘This latest product is firmly in touch with our Create Tomorrow principle and in line with the industry imperative to bring everyone home at the end of a shift underground,’ said Maptek CEO Eduardo Coloma.

‘That’s a lot of people,’ he continued. ‘The numbers around underground mines globally are staggering. Hundreds of kilometres of tunnels across multiple shafts, operating kilometres below the surface. And of course thousands of people operating heavy and light machinery in Wi-Fi and GPS denied environments.’

VisionV2X allows miners to see underground and around corners, with metre accuracy to ensure even fully loaded high speed trucks have time to react to each other in all conditions.

‘As every heavy equipment operator knows, awareness of other heavy machines coming and going around your vehicle and the location of pedestrians and light vehicles is paramount to avoiding collisions that can too easily cause fatalities,’ added Coloma.

The golden rule for any safety system is simplicity – it must be reliable, easy to install and straightforward to use. 

The Maptek proximity awareness system has underground safety as the key objective, and can be fitted to any vehicle across a mixed manufacturer fleet such as is commonly deployed in underground mines.

At the heart of VisionV2X is an ergonomic touchscreen interface installed in heavy vehicle cabs that operators can rely on for warning of the proximity of at-risk personnel and vehicles.

VisionV2X provides visible and audible alarms, ensuring that operators have the situational awareness and enough time to anticipate any interactions. As well as avoiding dangerous situations, operators can make more effective decisions earlier.

The onboard system continuously runs automated background checks to ensure VisionV2X is operating correctly. 

Detailed proximity data is logged onboard the vehicle and sent back to a central server for analysis and reporting, helping to deliver continual improvement in risk management and worker safety.

VisionV2X is a strategic system that enables mine managers and supervisors to achieve operational safety KPIs. 

VisionV2X has clocked up over 1.5 million vehicle operation hours at our first full-scale deployment site.

Maptek CEO Eduardo Coloma at the Austmine launch