Hexagon Launches Next-Generation Collision Intervention System for Surface Mines

EMESRT Level 9 technology autonomously prevents collisions, enforces safety rules and provides fail-safe vehicle protection across open-pit mining operations.  hexagon.com Hexagon has announced the global release of its next-generation Vehicle Intervention System (VIS), an autonomous collision prevention technology. This solution provides Earthmoving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT) Level 9 intervention capabilities for surface mining operations, protecting personnel and mobile equipment in open-pit environments. EMESRT Level 9 Intervention Mechanisms The updated VIS platform acts as a final layer of protection when standard advisory controls are insufficient. Engineered as an EMESRT Level 9 system, VIS automatically overrides operator controls in defined high-risk scenarios. This enables the technology to autonomously inhibit propulsion, apply retardation or braking, enforce safe following distances, and manage overspeed conditions on ramp sections. By actively controlling the machine, the system prevents vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-person, and vehicle-to-obstacle collisions. The system recently completed independent Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4) validation at the University of Pretoria. According to Hexagon, VIS is the first open-pit Level 9 solution to achieve this independent validation milestone. Integrated Safety and OEM Agnostic Architecture VIS integrates with Hexagon’s existing Collision Avoidance System (CAS) to create a multi-layered safety net. In practical application, the system continuously monitors machinery health and environmental proximity using advanced 4D radar sensing and safety analytics. If a critical system fault is detected, the fail-safe protection protocols automatically guide the vehicle to a safe state, minimizing the risk of uncontrolled machinery movement. Furthermore, VIS enforces specific site safety rules autonomously, maintaining required following distances and restricting speed limits. The architecture is OEM-agnostic, supporting a wide range of vehicle types and heavy equipment manufacturers without vendor lock-in. This cross-compatibility allows surface mines with mixed fleets to deploy standardized automated intervention technology. Additional Context: This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement In the surface mining collision avoidance market, the EMESRT Level 9 classification represents the highest standard for safety technology, defining systems capable of fully automated machine intervention without operator input. Hexagon competes with several other providers offering Level 9 capabilities, including Mine Safe Global, Epiroc, and Wabtec. Mine Safe Global utilizes universal OEM compatibility through ISO 21815 machine interfaces, citing an 85 percent reduction in collisions based on field deployments. Epiroc’s Titan CAS similarly offers modular upgrades to Level 9 for mixed mining fleets. Hexagon distinguishes its VIS platform through its recent independent TRL4 validation from the University of Pretoria and its integration with advanced 4D radar sensing and proprietary safety analytics. All of these systems share a common baseline of automatically applying brakes or retarding propulsion to prevent runaway scenarios and collisions on mine sites. Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals editor, assisted by AI. www.hexagon.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing