ABSTRACT
Today’s trend in tunneling business is clearly moving towards automation and autonomous machineries. This trend entered into mechanical excavation machineries as well and Sandvik developed a semi-autonomous excavation mode for their Roadheaders. Together with a geodetic guidance system it is possible to tele-operate the Roadheader from surface with a maximum on safety by removing operators from potentially hazardous environments. This semi-autonomous operation of the equipment requests certain requirements like a higher level of safety integration, stable tunnel network connections, reliable technologies and clear interfaces to other tunneling processes. Overcoming these challenges, a machine equipped with the automated excavation mode will provide tremendous benefits like increased excavation productivity, safety, serviceability, reduces human error, decrease costs and overcomes the lack of skilled machine operators. Further developments in Roadheader automation will continue to expand within tunneling industry to increase the productivity of tunneling sites– particularly as the infrastructure development moves underground.
