Israel-based technology start-up Ception has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system designed to reduce accidents and improve the productivity of heavy equipment at mines and other industrial sites.
The company said its MineCept system, based on a SaaS business model, offers customers a collection of apps via the same hardware kit and supports a wide range of scenarios in the field.
The system uses advanced real-time high-definition 3D mapping and precise positioning technology, based on visual feed rather than GPS, to provide full situational awareness of the machine's surrounding environment by cross-referencing information from different sensors and a range of image processing algorithms and deep learning.
The system is installed on the heavy vehicles, and provides operators, site managers and safety managers real-time information and insights to improve safety and operational efficiency in general.
The first part of MineCept is a modular hardware kit that is easily installed on heavy equipment and is OEM-agnostic. It includes a compute unit, communications component, and sensors.
The basic kit includes cameras with an option of adding Lidar and radar sensors based on the application and the user requirements.
The second is an assistance system for the machine's operator. It includes a display screen installed in the operator's cabin. This system provides visual and sound alerts, as well as support for different operational tasks.
The third part is the site management system, which includes real-time information and insights about what is happening at the site.
Tal Israel, co-founder and chief executive officer of Ception, said: "The construction, building materials, mining and quarrying industries are huge markets that suffer from acute safety, efficiency, and sustainability problems and are always looking for innovative solutions.
"There is currently a gap of technological solutions in this discipline. Some of the solutions are geared towards a high level of automation, but suffer from various barriers, including technological limitations, high prices, and regulatory restrictions.
"Conversely, solutions that rely on basic technologies do not offer an adequate response and suffer from serious reliability problems."
