Compaction equipment specialist, Conplant, has lifted the covers off its newest safety innovation, the Integrated Intelligent Collision Avoidance System (IICAS).
Much like a car’s auto emergency braking system, IICAS detects obstructions in the machine’s path and will automatically slow down or halt the machine if the obstruction becomes too close for safe operation.
IICAS took Conplant several years to develop and test in real-world applications before it was launched to the public at the National Construction Equipment Convention in Sydney last November.
“Some of our customers asked us to look into safety technologies and this came about as a result,” Conplant National Sales and Marketing Manager, Andrew Wheeler, said.
“The IICAS system was developed using a third party software which took two years to integrate into the machine.
“Now it’s fully integrated which enables us to control the machine’s revs, slow the machine down or apply the brakes to stop the machine.”
The IICAS system consists of True 3D Smart Cameras with intelligent functions to actively detect potential collisions and take appropriate measures to avoid them.
An audible alarm and traffic light system inside and outside the cab is used to warn the operator and people on site of potential hazards.
Green signals that there are no obstructions detected and the machine can continue to operate safely, while yellow means an obstruction is detected within a set distance at which point the machine will start to slow down, and audible and visual warnings will activate to alert the operator.
When the red light comes on, it means the obstruction has come too close for the machine to continue operating safely and the machine will come to a complete stop. System parameters such as field of interest, zone heights and widths, as well as slowing and braking distances can be set according to the job at hand.
While designed to suit its range of compaction equipment, Conplant said there is potential for IICAS to work on other equipment as well.
“We’re currently in the process of determining what customers want and how we can integrate IICAS technology into their machine fleet,” Mr Wheeler said.
This article is brought to you by Conplant. For more information, visit conplant.com.au.
