Might be worth putting down some facts about the difference between a semi autonomous quad with a gps tracking system and a metal detector on the back that dan only go in straight lines on terrain that isn’t too bumpy or hilly and the actual needs of the mining sector or the farming sector.
The sector has been working on robotics for a very long time. But there is precision needed in mining that is a bit different from that out on a salt flat. Komatsu had its first autonomous vehicle at work in a mine in 2005. slightly bigger than a quad and slightly more deft as well as being more complex and expensive. If you’ve ever sat in a dump truck and or watched it you will know that it’s not just about moving from one place to another and precision is necessary.
trucks are the obvious opportunity but not the only one and robots are being used and increasingly for many different purposes. but for each setting and opportunity there are a different set of hazards and challenges. This development is also going hand in hand with developing different approaches to mining and ore extraction.
Talking about Robotisation alone is a simplistic view of the world of mining. I’d suggest that the fact these things aren’t in place everywhere has not got anything to do with the inability of others to design and develop these things but rather with the complexity of what’s needed given the environment, the differences across different sites and the capital cost. The mining sector is not ignorant of the opportunity or the benefit.
There are plenty of very bright people in the sector with a great deal of knowledge as well as a good few people who have creative minds.
fortunately for mining there are people out there doing real work, with real knowledge and real skills.
