indurad has been involved with Bell Equipment in the iTruck development project where an articulated dump truck (ADT) is going to be automated in a European quarry operation. indurad’s Product Manager Mining Autonomy Dr Christian Riedel commented to IM based on several years’ experience with the development and implementation of automated LHDs in Chile: “Bell ADTs are perfectly suited as they are fitted with modern electronics and a drive-by-wire functionality, with an individual vehicle controller firmware developed for indurad to support commanding and automation.”

indurad started working on the project with Bell back in 2018 implementing the ISO21815 EMESRT Level 9 PDS Interface and advanced this in 2019 to full command. The autonomous operation is set for field demos this spring including full 3D driveability analysis with radar in snowy conditions. indurad is scheduled to finish in 2020 a Full Automation Sensor Package with software including multi-vehicle command, driveability analysis with the start of full production of autonomous Bell ADTs in 2021.