Autonomous People Detection Technology for Construction Sites with Epiroc

Construction sites today are dynamic environments. Surface drill rigs, such as the SmartROC T35, and various other equipment, including excavators, wheel loaders, and crushers, work simultaneously to remove rock through drilling and blasting operations. Operators manage these operations from cabins or by radio remote in all weather conditions and navigate complex and unpredictable ground conditions.

However, construction sites are not only occupied by machines; they also host people and vehicles that may enter the operational area, potentially coming close to an operating drill rig. Operators occasionally face limited or blocked line-of-sight views, and high noise levels necessitate ear protection, which can hinder their ability to detect and avoid potential risks. To address these challenges and enhance safety in urban area operations, Epiroc is committed to improving situational awareness and collision avoidance by automatically providing warnings or automatically stopping operations. Ultimately, this initiative aims to enhance further the safety of everyone in the construction area and progress towards increased productivity through fully autonomous operations.

The desired autonomous people and object detection technology should accurately and reliably manage the challenges of busy construction sites. This technology must navigate various obstacles, including terrain, large rocks, vehicles, people, mixed traffic conditions, bumpy gravel roads, unprepared ground, and exposed stone. Additionally, it must operate year-round, considering environmental conditions like snow, fog, rain, dust, drill cuttings, dirt, ice, cold, warmth, high vibration, and shock exposure.

The opportunity to develop such technology aligns with Epiroc’s commitment to safety and productivity. It addresses the unique demands of construction sites across diverse applications, including quarry operations, infrastructure projects, and road construction. The selected solution will make construction sites safer for everyone involved while enhancing operational efficiency in challenging conditions.

The requested solution is a complete system that enables people and object detection and accommodates the complex and challenging construction environment with cost efficiency in mind. The answer should address three main objectives: First, the system must reliably and accurately detect and identify people and objects, significantly enhancing situational awareness and site safety for all individuals at the construction site. Epiroc seeks a modular, user-friendly system that can adapt to different drilling environments and rigs, promoting scalability and cost-effectiveness. Thirdly, the solution should be designed with the potential for further improvement and evolution, eventually enabling fully autonomous drill rigs in mixed-traffic construction sites.