Back doing some usual surfing and stumbled across this article - whilst from April this year I thought it interesting - Top Ten Techs with power to transform Mining. Didn't find it before (trying various search word parameters at the mo).
I have just cut and paste the interesting bit to do with MEMS & the IoT and a certain company called Cisco - don't some people we know have links to Cisco and a product for mining?
Anyway, was just a side read for the time being....(my bold)
http://www.mining-technology.com/fe...s-with-the-power-to-transform-mining-4211240/
Internet of Things
Internet of Things, an emerging network technology based on the convergence of wireless technologies, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and the Internet, can potentially transform the mining industry by creating new ways of maintaining mine safety and productivity.
The technology involves connecting machines, fleet and people with unique identifiers based on radio frequency identification device (RFID) and sensor technologies while allowing them to automatically transfer and receive data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. The IoT platform can not only improve traceability and visibility of the entire mining operation but also enable computers to observe, identify and understand different facets of mining operations without human intervention and to automate and improve the maintenance and operation of machines.
Networking companies such as Cisco are currently working with industry partners to deliver IoT-based solutions specifically meant for the mining industry.
