Symboticware Projects
SymBot – An Open Information Management Platform for UG Mobile Equipment
Demonstration of an Open Information Management Platform for Mobile Underground Mining Systems
Collaborators
: Symboticware Incorporated, Vale, Xstrata, CEMI
The Pando project further developed, demonstrated Symboticware’s SymBot platform within an underground mining environment.
The Pando project demonstrated the seamless and near-real-time collection and integration of information generated by mobile mine equipment operating in the presence of an underground wireless network.
Applications built on top of the SymBot platform include: Engine Control Unit Monitoring, LHD Load Weight Monitoring, Machine Location Monitoring, and Automated Activity Monitoring – Production Statistics and Maintenance Pre-operation Checklist.
SymBot – Sensor Network and Data Collection for Ventilation on Demand
The SymBot platform enables a real-time integrated sensor network solution for ventilation on demand.
Collaborators: BESTECH, Vale, Xstrata Nickel, CANMET/NRCan, Canadian Mining Innovation Council (CMIC), Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) and Symboticware Incorporated
Ventilation on demand allows the air flow to a workplace to be changed in real time. The air flow is controlled using variable speed fans and variable louvers to direct the flow and sensor networks to monitor the resulting changes. An integrated tracking system also allows the quantity of air flow to match the demand from equipment and personnel.
The SymBot Platform is being used as a real-time integration hub for various sensor networks within an underground environment. The SymBot platform will collect ambient air qualities , tail pipe emissions and ECM data from a CAT Elphinstone 1600G LHD, data is processed on board and sent to surface with in an open data standard format.
Working along side of leading industry organizations, the SymBot platform is proving to be a sturdy and highly versatile open solution for industrial process automation.
SymBot – Open RFID Tag Reader
SymBot-RFID allows for near-real-time collection of payload data from active RFID tags
Customer: Vale
This project saw the further demonstration of the SymBot platform as an RFID tag reader. The SymBot-RFID allows for near-real-time collection of payload data from active RFID tags. The SymBot platform
provides payload data accessibility and integration into existing data management systems. The SymBot housing is a mine hardened enclosure that is suitable for both surface and underground applications.
A phase II project will see the demonstration of the SymBot platform as an RFID tag reader and network controller. The key features of the SymBot-RFID in phase II are the ability to gather data from multiple
access points, and the significant cost savings by not having to invest in WiFi infrastructure upgrades with existing proprietary solutions.
SymBot – A Critical Component for Remote Mine Exploration, Development and Operations in the Far North
Established an embedded network for weather monitoring across Baffin Island
Collaborators: Symboticware Incorporated, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation, Peregrine Diamonds, Laurentian University, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI).
This project saw the deployment of the SymBot, a fully-capable micro industrial computer, input/output processor, and two-way satellite transceiver which operates on very low power drawn from solar. Uniquely and critically, the SymBot provides two-way satellite communication, so data can be collected remotely, as well as provide the option to re-configure the instruments without expensive site visits.
The enhanced weather stations will serve as hubs for a more complete environmental monitoring network, consisting of remote sensors, probes and motes.
SymBot – Water Quality Monitoring
The SymBot, as a monitoring and control device, is paired with a remote underwater sampling unit to gather water quality parameters of the dominant Sudbury watershed, Ramsey Lake.
Collaborators: Collaborating with Laurentian University and MIRARCO, this project deploys a SymBot for the collection of both water and weather data.
Ramsey Lake provides a unique challenge, responsibility and opportunity for environmental monitoring research, due to the effects of a century of extreme industrial acid and metal-laden emission impact.
The mobile underwater sensor package connected to a floating platform will collect temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen and oxidation/reduction potential data. The platform will also house a research specific meteorological station which collects additional environmental data including wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and solar radiation.
The SymBot will collect and forward this critical water quality data combined with weather data to researchers. The researchers then can interpret environmental events occurring on short time scales. Two-way communication via satellite provides real-time data and remote programming capabilities for user-specified sampling intervals, thereby managing data transmission costs.
By adding this project to its portfolio, the SymBot is getting its feet wet and providing the necessary linkage between environmental researchers and Sudbury’s lakes.
SymBot – Autonomous Weather Station
This research specific weather station was funded by Ministry of Environment to assist researchers of Fresh Water Ecology Unit from Laurentian University. This station showcased the SymBot; as a rugged, modular software and hardware data collection and communication platform.
Collaborators: Ministry of Environment, Fresh Water Ecology Unit and Symboticware.
Data collected from this site includes temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation, precipitation and CO2.