Carnegie Mellon and Anglo American PLC sign agreement to develop mining robots

Jan. 11, 2013
Pittsburgh, PA--Carnegie Mellon University has signed a five-year master agreement with London-based Anglo American PLC, one of the world’s largest mining companies, to develop robotic technologies for mining.

Pittsburgh, PA--Carnegie Mellon University has signed a five-year master agreement with London-based Anglo American PLC, one of the world’s largest mining companies, to develop robotic technologies for mining. CMU’s Robotics Institute (RI), through its National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) and Field Robotics Center (FRC), will design, build, and deploy mining robots, robotic tools, and autonomous technologies in collaboration with Anglo American’s Technology Development Group.

According to the RI, automating the most difficult, costly, and dangerous mining jobs will improve safety and increase the productivity and efficiency of Anglo American’s operations, and advances in robotics will allow the mining of hard-to-reach ore deposits that cannot be economically extracted under existing methods and mine layouts. Immediate applications include robotic mining machinery, mine mapping, and automated inspections.

The Robotics Institute's photonic specialties include 3D range sensing (lidar and radar), imaging including thermal imaging, sensor fusion, and image processing. The RI already has a subterranean-robotics development program in place, having developed robots for mines, underwater caves, natural-gas pipelines, and hydrocarbon-storage tanks.

About the Author

John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)

John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.

Sponsored Recommendations

Achromatic Lenses: High-Quality Custom Optics

March 13, 2025
Ensure clarity and accuracy in your optics systems with Lacroix’s achromatic lenses. Explore how our custom solutions minimize chromatic aberration for perfect results.

Manufacturing Considerations for Tolerancing Aspheres

March 13, 2025
Understand the critical factors in manufacturing aspheres and how Lacroix Optics ensures precise tolerancing in every optical component.

Explore Our Videos: Insights into Precision Optics

March 13, 2025
Get an inside look at Lacroix Optics with our collection of informative videos showcasing our capabilities, innovations, and processes.

Optical Assemblies: Reliable and Precise Solutions

March 13, 2025
Ensure your optical system works seamlessly with Lacroix Optics' custom optical assemblies. Discover the precision and reliability we bring to every project.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!