Author: Ellie Lauritsen

Last week ARIAM Research Hub members immersed themselves in the history of the MV Cape Don for two days of data collection and vessel analysis.

Using the Emesent Hovermap and Leica fixed scanner, our researchers surveyed the interior and exterior of the vessel; enabling us to develop a model for use by our researchers & partners in simulations and future robotics operations.

Data will also be shared with The Sea Heritage Foundation to report on the condition of the upper and lower decks; assisting them with the monitoring and maintenance of the MV Cape Don.

Congratulations to our Deputy Director, Prof. Stefan Williams and team, notably Dr. Lachlan Toohey on being awarded an Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Seed Grant to fund the testing stage of their Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). The AUV can hover above the seafloor to collect better data in difficult conditions. It is designed for use in environmental surveys of offshore infrastructure assessments (such as windfarms), scientific data collection and various defence applications. AEA supports Australian researchers to get their ideas off the whiteboard and into a commercial future.

ARIAM director Ian Manchester, alongside Dr Andrew Hill (Rio Tinto Centre) featured in the March 2024 issue of Mining Magazine. The article discussed the recent advancements in mining automation, as well as the importance of university and industry collaboration in driving future development.

Read the full article here:

Future opportunities for automation and AI in mining