Global Tech Group Chooses Panasonic Tablets for Driver Training in Mining Industry

When training mining personnel on extremely large single-seat vehicles such as dozers, graders and excavators, it’s not possible for the trainer to be next to the operator. This means that operators generally follow up their in-class training by driving the vehicle under the instruction of an experienced instructor who trains them over the mining radio network and views them from a safe distance. This method lacks privacy, which can lessen its effectiveness, and instructors have no way of viewing the trainee’s actions in the cabin.

Global Tech Group has developed a solution that provides remote, private and live training with instantaneous feedback and guidance, and is designed with robust technology to withstand the rigours of mine site environments. The PVTS™ has now been implemented by customers within the industry.

The company went through some trial and error when initially developing the solution. The first remote system tested on a mining site was a ‘suitcase’ that included a TV monitor. It soon became evident that the system was too heavy and large to be used in a vehicle cab and with too short a range to be versatile enough for training, as well as offering little resilience to dust and glare.

Global Tech Group™ went back to the drawing board, and building on this experience, developed a compact, mobile and rugged solution with one-to-one Wi-Fi communication, which they tested in the field with certified instructors on a range of live mine sites. This included tablets that were capable of withstanding the environmental extremes of blistering summer heat all the way through to driving rain, constant exposure to dust, and relentless vibration and shock.

Specifically tailored to the needs of the industry, this rugged solution can withstand the environmental challenges of training heavy vehicle operators in remote locations, and improve the delivery and effectiveness of training on a live mine site.

The PVTS™ is light enough for one person to carry up the steep stairs of a heavy vehicle using the handsfree strap. It can be swapped between vehicles during drivers’ 15-minute ‘crib’ breaks and be up and running for the next training session, minimising any production delays.

The four cameras are mounted in and outside the cab of the trainee’s vehicle, while the instructor views the steering and other operations on the TOUGHBOOK screen
and communicates via the headset. The cameras can also capture stills and video for later use in a classroom situation to demonstrate best practice or for review to improve performance.

The solution is unobtrusive for the driver, and the cameras and the screen provide visual clarity between driver and instructor in all weathers, day and night. The direct visual feedback from the cabin makes it easier for the instructor to guide the operator and impart best practice in safe, efficient machine operations including posture, steering and blade techniques.

One-to-one training between driver and instructor is more focused, with private, wi-fi connectivity that’s independent of the mining radio network, but still allows them to stay aware of the situational environment during sessions.

The TOUGHBOOK can be detached from the main unit and used up to 40 metres away, which gives the trainer greater flexibility in moving around a site to follow a vehicle.

Richard continues, “The rugged headset fits under a safety helmet, and the TOUGHBOOK is easy for a trainer to hold in their hand and use wi-fi to communicate with a driver from a safe distance without dropouts even when they are standing on the shoulder of a pit and the vehicle is 500 metres away. Once a system is installed, there’s minimal maintenance, and customers can spend much more time training in live environments. It’s also possible for a single trainer to direct a number of vehicles.”