Publications / 1990 Proceedings of the 7th ISARC, Bristol, United Kingdom

Advanced Robotics for Tunnelling

J R Wolfenden
Pages 205-213 (1990 Proceedings of the 7th ISARC, Bristol, United Kingdom, ISSN 2413-5844)
Abstract:

As part of its Advanced technology programme, the DTI has introduced an advanced initiative to assess economic benefits across a diverse range of application areas and to develop technological sub-systems which are not specific to a particular industry. The AR initiative has been spearheaded by the tunnelling collaborative group which has the prime objective of realising fully or semi-autonomous systems with in 5-10 years. This tunnelling group has successfully completed both a Feasibility study and a Project Definition Study (PDS) and is currently submitting a proposal to the DTI for project realisation phase. The paper presents the conclusions from the Feasibility study before detailing technical progress with the robotic elements from the PDS which include machine guidance and navigation, system control and communications, system health and condition-based maintenance, as well as specialised sensors for such tasks as strata prediction. The paper continues to describe progress with the project proposal which is to develop an integrated drivage system for mining which will comprise a machine with novel mechanical attributes to allow simultaneous cutting and support of roof.

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