Dwyka Mining Services hosted an event at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, bringing international industry experts together to showcase advanced drone technologies for underground mining operations. From Skydio’s 3D mapping drones to WingtraOne’s vertical take-off UAV and Boston Dynamics robots with Emesent’s Lidar sensing technology, these innovations promise to enhance safety and efficiency in the mining sector.
Dwyka Mining Services recently hosted an event at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, showcasing cutting-edge drone solutions for the mining industry. The gathering brought together international industry experts to demonstrate technologies designed to enhance safety and efficiency in underground mining operations.
The first presentation featured Skydio, a company specializing in drones used for commercial applications. Skydio’s demonstration included 3D mapping capabilities and remote control of a drone located over 16,000 kilometers away in California. Skydio drones employ docking stations for automation, allowing scheduled inspections and consistent image capture, which facilitates automated analysis and asset monitoring.
Switzerland’s Wingtra introduced the WingtraOne, a vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle powered by two electric motors. Although unable to perform a live flight due to restrictions, the WingtraOne is designed for precision agriculture, surveying, and light payload delivery to rural areas.
Concluding the event, two Boston Dynamics robots named Spot, equipped with Emesent’s Hovermap, were showcased. The Hovermap, featuring Lidar sensing technology, can capture detailed data across wide areas with a sensing range of up to 300 meters. Additionally, Emesent demonstrated a drone equipped with Hovermap, which showcased autonomous navigation and obstacle maneuvering.
Applications for these technologies in mining include inspecting dangerous underground locations, where drones can be deployed instead of humans, enhancing safety.
