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Baotou launches unmanned mining trucks

By Lu Wei Updated: 2019-10-15

Baogang Group has achieved a breakthrough in its construction of a so-called Smart Mine with the successful research and development of the first unmanned mining truck transport system based on 5G networks, according to an Oct 14 Baotou Daily report.

According to the newspaper, in Bayan Obo mining district, in Baotou in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, all the scheduled tasks can now be completed without the need for someone in the driver’s seat.

A 5G unmanned mining vehicle can now operate and complete the tasks previously done by humans in an orderly manner.

Officials said the mining truck marked the first 5G-based mine truck equipped with an unmanned transport system in China.

According to Zheng Linbo, manager of the 5G unmanned mining truck project, the truck is extremely safe and can automatically stop in case of an emergency.

Zheng gave an on-site test to prove the mining truck’s strong adaptability. He stood in the way of the unmanned mining truck as an “obstacle”. When it was 5-6 meters away, the truck stopped automatically.

To achieve this, the truck is equipped with a laser radar and a millimeter wave radar. After the two radars are combined, its functionality is similar to a human eye’s. When the distance to obstacles is about 20 m, the truck is warned and stops at a distance of about 5 m.

The unmanned transport system under 5G network conditions is based on technical modifications to existing mining trucks, which is more technically difficult than the development of a new unmanned mining vehicle.

A company spokesman said that with the advantages of high speed and low distortion rates of the 5G network, the unmanned transportation system has realized the development of many functions -- such as vehicle data sharing, automatic driving and accurate positioning.

This effectively solves the problem of difficulties in recruitment due to the cold weather in mining districts and potential safety hazards, the spokesman added.