Telematics and remote monitoring becoming more popular have become near mandatory

October 4, 2021 2:45 pm

‘Whatever technology comes to India, we are adopting it for the OEM that has to give benefit.”

Everybody is aware that we are the pioneer earthmoving industry in India. We stand on our own and we will always watch global scenarios and develop indigenous technology for self-reliance, cost effectiveness and to contribute towardsAtmanirbhar. In this scenario, we take advantage of this platform to highlight what is the current industry trend and where we are to meet the global demand. 

The OEMs are focused towards improved productivity,improved operating efficiency, and extended machine utilisation hours i.e. from 16 hrs to 20 hrs. per day, lower downtime, improve reliability and enhance safety. 

Further to emphasise the above aspects, new standards are getting released and the existing standards are also getting revised.Further the industries are more focused on reducing the life cycle cost even when technology is upgraded. 

Currently, the off-road / HEMM driveline is configured with diesel engines and the conventional gear drive transmission final drive.However, the OEMs have developed energy efficient and energy recoverable alternate drivelines like diesel-electric hybrids or a full electric / battery operated driveline. The trials and the feedback are encouraging. 

In this scenario, the hydrostatic drives are also getting more popular and found compact, modular and energy efficient. This upgrade will complement the regenerated hydraulic system which may downsize the engine capacity.Further, thrust is also given on full machine automation, system level automation, machine learning and the autonomous system. This kind of technology driven machines are already being tried out in developed countries like Australia and we too are working on this as a domestic company. 

This is one of the hybrid systems OEMs are looking at as a dual power system.The power to the excavator operation is delivered either from the engine or through the battery. Further, with the complement of an energy recoverable hydraulic system we can downsize the engine compared to conventional excavators for the same capacity. With this configuration, it is envisaged to get the same operational efficiency with reduction of diesel powered engines by about 20 to 25%. However, the battery technology is still not matured and getting continuous upgradation for the cost effective, compact higher power density, usage of ultra-capacitors etcCurrently, this hybrid technology is bit expensive and will become economical for operation in with in decade as this is the trend and the key driver in the HEMM industry. 

Similar Hybrid system is being adapted for a loader with regenerative braking features. IN this system the implements are operated through a hydraulic system and the drivetrain through electro mechanical system with assistance of hub drives 

Similarly, the futuristic bulldozer driveline is also going to be a hybrid with either hydro-static or electromechanical configuration. In this the differential steering or pivot steering will be adopted with either a hydraulic motor or electric motor. 

With this trend,as a domestic company, focusing on green energy and a reduced carbon footprint we are also looking for a partner for the development of indigenous technology and may launch a hydride Dozer and a wheel loader in a span of 10 years. 

This is a typical hydrostatic drivetrain where in the engine directly coupled with a hydraulic pump and intern drive the hub drives through a hydraulic motor. The engine, pump and the motor are controlled through an electronic controller for enduring optimum performance. In this system, the conventional transmission, drive shaft, steering drive are eliminated. In addition, a lot of moving components are eliminated and the modular frame, modular cabin, and the modular powertrain configuration is adopted. 

This is a typical regenerated boom hydraulic system adopted by excavators. In this system, the hydraulic pump is directly coupled with the engine and the oil flow is directed through an electro-hydraulic valve to the boom cylinders. While lowering the boom, the return oil from the hydraulic cylinder is pumped into the accumulator and the pressurised oil will be pumped back into the system for the next cycle of operation which in turn reduces the demand from the hydraulic pump. 

This is a prototype model of a 100hp hydrostatic dozer which has successfully completed an operational trial at a high altitude location of a customer site. This dozer facilitates knocking down the entire dozer into 6 compact modules in 4 hours and can be easily transported through a helicopter. 

We have adopted a grade control system for one of our motor graders to facilitate achieving a near planned grade feature. This system will eliminate an operator interface during grading operations and will ensure consistent grade parameters. Currently a well proven system is available from MOBA and TRIMBLE for adopting a wide range of OEM models. 

Similarly, automated implement control systems are being adopted for excavators which will precisely control the depth of digging, width of digging and reach of attachment as per the pre-programmed site layout and the operating environment such as underlied / overhead high-tension cable etc,. 

Another technology trend of the decade is telematics. We can say that almost all off-road equipment is fitted with a telematics kit and onboard diagnostic system. The contribution of electronics toward operator comfort and machine /operator safety is more than 50 % compared to last decade. The trend shows that you name any system in a machine electronics plays a key role in it. 

Another safety-oriented system that has become mandatory for the HEMM is “Fatigue Monitoring System”. This prophetic system will continuously monitor the operator and cautions mine manager, operator, co-operator, opposite side equipment with regard to operator fitness and his condition such as drowsiness, distraction, smoking, on phone call, yawning sleeping etc. This system is a standard feature on all the HEMM machines. 

The telematics and remote monitoring feature is also becoming more popular and has become near mandatory. This system facilitates live tracking, Geo-fencing, programmable machine parameter update, motion mapping and distance report, maintenance schedule, engine condition, fuel management, data logging and its analytics etc., The system cost is controlled based on the feature upgrade. However, the indigenous development effort made the customer afford the system in less than half of the imported system. 

DRDO has developed a teleoperated feature on the BEML 100 Hp dozer which is a retro-fitment kit for the Inservice equipment. This feature will facilitate the customer to utilise the dozer in a hazardous, life threatening operating environment. This indigenous technology was developed through a MSME / Startup company.