If your clients operate in mining or you’re looking to expand your business into other industries, this use case is for you. In this article, we explain why OnNavigate is a highly valued virtual copilot solution in the industry addressing challenges in scenarios where conventional GPS tracking platforms or location services like Google Maps are not effective.
Mining companies must comply with extremely strict safety regulations while also optimizing their operations; they face numerous risks and cannot afford to overlook any detail that could jeopardize their substantial investments.
Mines are inherently dangerous environments because trucks transport very heavy loads in areas without marked roads, and each segment of the route presents specific hazards such as the risk of landslides, loose gravel, mudslides, or steep slopes. These and other challenges are documented in topographic maps, but are difficult for drivers to recognize as they navigate the terrain.
Conventional location and mapping services like Google Maps or Waze are not a solution because, in addition to lacking mapped roads in excavation zones, they calculate speed based on standard vehicles. They are not designed to take into account the size or weight of mining trucks in situations where strictly controlled speeds are essential. Using GPS tracking platforms does not solve the problem either, as it is impossible to create routes on unmapped roads, and only generic alerts can be set up lacking the high level of customization required for each route segment.
This situation becomes even more critical due to the frequent turnover of drivers and the risks associated with their lack of knowledge about each route’s unique characteristics. Companies are concerned not only about protecting their assets, but also about managing the dangers involved in transporting, working, or traveling through areas with explosives, as well as avoiding crossings with high-voltage installations and other hazards.
If traditional mapping does not include roads within mines, and there are also data connectivity issues, how can we provide driver assistance so the driver knows the appropriate speed for each segment of the route based on the vehicle type and whether it is loaded without losing focus on roadway hazards, even when the personnel are inexperienced or undertrained?
Install a virtual copilot application on drivers’ smartphones that does not rely on online maps and can assist them with both audio and visual alerts and guidance.
OnNavigate allows your client to create all the routes they need, even in areas without existing roads. Once the app is installed, a route list is created in the platform and each driver is registered as a user; with their user credentials, they can access the app on any device, whether it’s a phone, tablet, or mobile data terminal (MDT). Next, the route segments are created and specific alerts are configured for each one, considering the vehicle, permitted speeds, and road conditions. Finally, the route is assigned to the driver.
This flexibility in route assignment saves time and streamlines processes in an industry where driver turnover is a serious challenge that leads to increased training and onboarding costs.
For example, the mining truck—also known as a Yucle—is a high-capacity vehicle used for hauling and unloading material, with load capacities ranging from 120 to 450 tons. These trucks must travel at 10 km/h or less on ramps. There are various types of roads in the mining industry, some of which become single-lane routes upon reaching the haul area. Additionally, when passing through crossings, access points, or other facilities, the truck must slow down and sound its horn. In these zones, alerts can be configured to notify the driver that they are entering vehicle or pedestrian crossing areas, so they reduce speed in advance and avoid potential risks related to sudden braking or accidents.
OnNavigate does not require dedicated hardware, as it is compatible with devices running Android 6 or higher, eliminating the need for additional investment in equipment that would increase implementation costs.
It also results in savings because a single device can be used by multiple drivers logging in with their individual user credentials. This makes shift changes easier and avoids the need to reassign each driver’s routes..
OnNavigate is fully integrated with our App Tracker, giving it the full support and added value of our IoT ecosystem. Additionally, in cases where regulations require dedicated hardware, it is compatible with the Howen MDT AT5.
We developed OnNavigate with the challenges and difficulties of the mining industry in mind. Our goal was to create a copilot solution that is powerful and comprehensive, yet accessible and simple to use with all the capabilities to meet the most demanding requirements.
With OnNavigate, it’s possible to create routes even on roads that do not exist in traditional cartographic maps.
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