Hitachi Construction Machinery develops Overview Monitoring System with Clarion

Cameras ([1]Front [2] Right side [3]Left side

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Hitachi Construction Machinery, Co. Ltd. and Clarion Co., Ltd. have developed an overview monitoring system to support operator safety checks surrounding machinery. The system enables synthesised images taken from several cameras mounted on a machine to be shown on a display from the operator's seat. Basic performance tests using a prototype have been completed and there are plans to commercialise the system in line with the specifications of Hitachi dump trucks and large hydraulic excavators by spring 2012.

Based on the development of in-vehicle compact camera technology promoted by Clarion, supporting safe, secure and comfortable driving, the overview monitoring system featuring several wide-angle cameras will be fitted on construction machinery. The images taken from respective cameras will be converted and synthesised and shown on a display as a bird's-eye view focused on the machinery. The operator can also switch to "zoom display" and "wide display" in accordance with the machine's needs requiring wide-area monitoring. With this functionality, operators can quickly assess their position in relation to other machinery or service vehicles on site.

Up until now, HCM has been continuously promoting initiatives to enhance on-site safety. In 2001, the company was the first manufacturer to launch a rear monitoring system that comprises a rear-view camera and display as optional equipment for hydraulic excavators. In 2006, HCM introduced this system as the world's first standard equipment on all hydraulic excavators of 6.5 tonnes or larger.

The overview monitoring system, which has been developed in collaboration with Hitachi Group companies, is expected to significantly contribute to operational safety on site, including the operation of dump trucks and large hydraulic excavators.

Greg Smith, HCME Manager Heavy and Mining Equipment International Sales (Europe) said: "The advancements in the viewing systems is a wonderful leap forward in providing our customers with a solution to a universally recognised limitation when working with large mining equipment.

Visibility around these giant machines has always been at the forefront of occupational health and safety considerations that have influenced safe working procedures and methods for decades. Whilst the industry in general tended to accept that visibility around these machines would always be restricted, the continuous improvement program pioneered by Hitachi, challenges the status quo and searches for innovative concepts and technologies to make our equipment safer, more productive and reliable.

Almost every mine safety induction highlights the visibility on and around large excavators and rigid dump trucks as a major consideration on site. This system significantly increases the viewing area of the operator from within the cab and will assist in lowering the frequency of accidental damage, reducing the risk to employees and enhance operational efficiency.

Based on the development of in-vehicle compact camera technology promoted by Clarion, this feature is yet another example of Hitachi taking mining equipment to the next level."