Chepstow Plant International, Bell Equipment UK, xtonomy and Sibelco Equipment collaborated on the project. Image: Chepstow Plant International Ltd
The first-ever fully autonomous articulated dumptruck has been launched in the United Kingdom, a landmark move for the quarrying industry’s future.
The official launch was held at a china clay quarry in Devon as Chepstow Plant International, Bell Equipment UK, Xtonomy and Sibelco Equipment revealed the ADT to industry experts.
The four companies combined in partnership to create the new autonomous Bell B40E and its hardware and software components.
Sibelco Group’s director of operations for Kinsteignton, United Kingdom, Ben Uphill, said this would mark the start of next-generation payload transportation.
“We envisage many benefits from having access to this sector-first autonomous ADT solution,” he said.
“The minerals and aggregates sector must embrace technology as a way of continually delivering improvements across our daily operations and cost base.
“At Sibelco we strive for continuous improvement, with a focus on safety, and the environment through energy efficiency and CO2 reduction. Automation is used in many parts of our operations and business, to maximise efficiency and to also manage areas of skills shortage.”
The ADT was launched in the UK. Image: Chepstow Plant International Ltd
The ADT uses Xtonomy’s AI technology in a Bell articulated dump truck which is also equipped with radar sensors, GPS, multi-channel communication systems and on-board processing software.
The demonstration, featuring key UK quarry professionals, took place in a live working quarry to demonstrate the full capability of the Autonomous-Ready drive-by-wire Bell B40E solution.
According to the companies involved, the key objectives with this pilot scheme will be to demonstrate the potential to reduce vehicular incidents and subsequent accidents as well as upskilling then the existing workforce to further support the future of quarry operations.
Uphill thanked the partnership of the four companies which created the UK’s first-ever ADT.
“This has been a fantastic example of collaborative ethos from all partners and has resulted in a safe and productive autonomous driving setup for a key part of our operations,” he said.
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