Russia Develops Robotic Excavator for the Mining Industry
The robot is designed to operate in mines and quarries without human presence.
At Zabaykalsky State University, engineers have developed a working prototype of an excavator with automated controls for the mining industry. The robotic system is designed to operate in mines and quarries without a human operator on site.
Unified Electronic Control Unit
According to the university’s press service, specialists designed and tuned a hydraulic system that enables precise movement of the excavator’s working equipment. They also implemented a load-monitoring system to track forces acting on hydraulic cylinders during operation. All core components were integrated into a single electronic control unit.
The development also incorporates elements of machine vision, including an infrared rangefinder and a stereo camera. These systems generate a three-dimensional view of the work area, map the rock face profile, and improve the accuracy of material extraction control.
Quarry Trials
Students were also involved in the project, contributing to 3D prototyping, electronics assembly, and software configuration. The robot has already been presented to the expert community.
Going forward, the developers plan to stabilize the prototype’s performance and test it on backhoe-type quarry excavators. Trials are set to take place in coal pits and ore quarries across Russia’s Zabaykalsky Krai.
Earlier, IT-Russia reported that ALROSA began testing a domestically developed digital system for monitoring haul truck loading at its diamond mines in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The Horus Mine system uses machine vision and artificial intelligence to calculate, in real time, the exact volume and composition of extracted material.
