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[Netease Smart News, November 30] Mining robots are like the canaries in coal mines, helping to bring automation to construction and other industries. Enaex, a company that provides blasting services for mine operators, recently partnered with SRI International to develop a robotic miner called RoboMiner.
The mining industry has always been one of the most dangerous jobs, and over the years, technology has been used to reduce the risks faced by miners. In the early 1900s, sentry-like tools were introduced, especially gas detectors like those developed by British doctor John Scott Haldane. These have since evolved into electronic detectors that alert miners when the air quality becomes unsafe, prompting them to evacuate.
Despite these advancements, dangers still exist. Landslides, explosions, and heavy machinery continue to pose serious threats. Although the numbers are not exact, it's estimated that up to 12,000 workers may lose their lives in the mining industry each year due to various causes.
Robots offer a promising solution to enhance safety in this high-risk field. SRI’s equipment is essentially a remote-controlled humanoid robot designed to enter hazardous mine environments. This allows operators to access areas that would otherwise be too dangerous for humans.
A spokesperson from SRI mentioned that this technology could also enable mining companies to extract resources that are currently unreachable. Automation has already made its way into the mining sector, with companies like Rio Tinto using self-driving trucks in Australia. These massive vehicles operate without human control, but many mining tasks still require fine motor skills and adaptability in unstructured settings.
SRI’s RoboMiner aims to address these limitations. It features a bionic torso, head, and arms equipped with advanced sensors for stereo vision, force feedback, and real-time scene rendering. The robot moves on a four-wheeled platform, capable of navigating rough terrain and mimicking human movement while carrying up to 5-10 kilograms.
Similar to Sarco Robotics’ Guardian GT, another remotely operated unit, RoboMiner represents a new wave of robotics designed for high-risk environments. While Guardian GT was initially intended for nuclear sites, it eventually found applications in construction. This trend suggests that the future of blue-collar work might involve operating such machines.
RoboMiner is initially planned for open-pit mining, but the long-term goal is to achieve underground operations. This is crucial, as underground mines expose workers to extreme conditions—high temperatures, humidity, dust, and more. By replacing miners in these dangerous roles, robots can significantly improve safety and efficiency.
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