Technology that monitors the alertness of a driver using eye and head tracking vision algorithms is to be installed on Caterpillar mining trucks.
Seeing Machines, based in Canberra, Australia, will supply its operator fatigue monitoring systems to Caterpillar Global Mining. Cat Dealers will be the exclusive distribution channel to the mining industry for the Seeing Machines technology.
Seeing Machines’ Driver Safety System (DSS) is a commercial system for mining trucks and is currently working on more than 20 mine sites and 1,500 vehicles. The in-vehicle system uses a small console-mounted camera to track eye and eyelid behaviour, determine how drowsy the driver is and detect micro sleeps. Audio and seat vibration alarms immediately alert the machinery operator, as well as site dispatchers.
The cab is also fitted with an infrared lamp, enabling the system to work at night and see through driver’s glasses. The system also monitors the driver’s head movements as part of determining how alert they are.
‘The safety of our mining customers’ employees is a paramount issue to us,’ said David Edwards, safety solutions manager for Caterpillar Global Mining. ‘Seeing Machines delivers both safety and productivity benefits to the mining industry. Going forward, we see even closer integration between what in-cab fatigue monitoring can deliver in both intervention alerts and analytics to improve safety and performance.’
