Posted by Paul Moore on twenty first November 2024
Hexagon has introduced the acquisition of indurad, a world chief in radar and Actual-Time Location Techniques (RTLS) applied sciences, together with its autonomous haulage subsidiary, xtonomy. It mentioned: “This strategic transfer underscores Hexagon’s dedication to advancing mine productiveness, security, and autonomy by means of cutting-edge know-how.”
Key cited advantages of the acquisition are enhanced mine security utilizing indurad’s superior radar-based collision avoidance programs to mitigate dangers in high-stakes mining environments; and elevated productiveness due to real-time ore monitoring and measurement to assist automate mine workflows, lowering downtime and inefficiencies.
It additionally brings future-ready autonomy – as indurad’s cellular machine automation experience and OEM-agnostic autonomy platform mixed with Hexagon’s current applied sciences will assist speed up the shift to completely autonomous mines.
“This acquisition represents one other step in direction of realising our imaginative and prescient of absolutely linked and built-in mine workflows,” mentioned Norbert Hanke, Interim President and CEO of Hexagon. ”indurad’s radar know-how aligns completely with our deal with security and autonomy, and we’re excited to combine their capabilities into our portfolio to unlock its full potential.”
Primarily based in Germany, indurad specialises in modular radar programs that ship exact object location monitoring, collision avoidance, and machine automation capabilities. These improvements will improve Hexagon’s built-in life-of-mine portfolio, it provides “additional solidifying its management within the mining business.”
The transaction is predicted to shut in late November, at which level indurad will likely be absolutely consolidated into Hexagon’s Autonomous Options division. In 2023, indurad reported revenues of roughly €19 million, with profitability initially beneath Hexagon Group ranges however anticipated to enhance as synergies are realised. The corporate has 140 staff globally.
indurad just lately launched its newest collision avoidance innovation at MINExpo 2024: the Gen5 iProximity PDS/CAS answer, now with full ISO 21815 Stage 9 assist. A key element of this technique is the flagship iRTT-LVU (Radio Transponder Tag – Gentle Automobile Unit). The iRTT-LVU may be mounted swiftly on any mild automobile, utilizing customary roof racks or magnet mounts for contractor automobiles. It connects wirelessly to an Android system, offering each graphical and acoustic suggestions, whereas that includes Wi-Fi/BLE capabilities powered by a contemporary Intel chipset.
xtonomy has expertise with working its agnostic AHS at a number of operations with ADTs – together with a fleet at the moment working at Sibelco’s china-clay Cornwood quarry in Devon, UK – a venture initially conceptualised by Chepstow Plant Worldwide (CPI) and ADT OEM Bell Tools following long-term trials between Bell Tools and xtonomy. This venture adopted an preliminary partnership between Bell and indurad (pre-dating the xtonomy 2022 spin off) with deployment of AHS on Bell ADTs at a voestalpine limestone operation from 2020.
