Robotic vehicle for mining to add safety

China has successfully produced its first autonomous mining vehicle that can operate 24 hours a day and be loaded and unloaded automatically.

The driverless vehicle, developed by Inner Mongolia North Heavy Industries Group Corp, is 12.7 meters long and 5.2 meters tall, with a capacity of 110 metric tons. It can find its way around and identify unloading positions by means of precision satellite GPS, and it can avoid obstacles by using laser sensors and other devices.

Its development is the first step in constructing fully automated mines that will reduce costs, boost efficiency and achieve safe production by eliminating dangerous roles for human laborers, according to Wang Fengquan, the project manager.