Underground Positioning System (UPS)
Robust localization of mobile equipment in dusty environments using electromagnetic reference beacons.
Autonomous Operator System
Your Digital Operator Underground
Nerospec SK brings advanced underground mining automation through the Autonomous Operator System (AOS). Acting as a digital operator, AOS enables mobile equipment to operate autonomously without constant network connectivity or continuous human supervision, allowing machines to continue working beyond manual shift limitations.
Designed for real underground environments, AOS can be retrofitted to existing mobile equipment, enabling mines to automate current fleets and gradually transition toward fully autonomous underground mining operations.
Features
What makes our AOS system stand out?
Key Solution Highlights
cyberHUB – AI control unit
A ruggedized control unit (IP67) integrating perception, decision, and vehicle control.
OEM-agnostic retrofit architecture
Enables autonomy upgrades for existing underground mobile equipment fleets.
Custom Functionality
Adaptive to Site Needs.
Solution Partner
From Design to Delivery.
AUTOMATED MINING PRODUCTION
OPTIMIZING THE LOADING AND HAULING CYCLE
Underground mining operations rely on repetitive loading and hauling cycles that are often limited by shift changes, operator availability, and safety constraints. Automation enables these tasks to continue operating with consistency, safety, and equipment utilization, allowing mines to increase productivity without expanding their fleet.
The Autonomous Operator System supports this transition by enabling mobile equipment to perform repetitive production tasks autonomously while operators focus on supervision and higher-value activities.
Key Benefits
1
Increased operational consistency
2
Improved workforce allocation toward human-critical tasks
3
Increased productivity by utilizing equipment outside operator shifts
4
Higher attractiveness for the next generation mining workforce
5
Higher safety performance of automated mobile equipment
Levels of Mining Automation
Designed to match your operational needs
Assisted
Supervised
Operator Safety Gains:
- Launch Assist
- Speed Limiting
- Collision Avoidance
- Lane Assist
Remote
Supervised
Operator Safety Gains:
- Operator removal from dangerous operations
- Line-of-sight operation
- Operation during times of mine personnel absence
Semi Autonomous
supervised automation
Productivity Gains:
- Automated driving
- Multiple machine operation through single operator
- Operator focus on complex tasks (e.g. loading)
- Remote location operation
- Operation during times of mine personnel absence
Fully Autonomous
autonomous
Productivity Gains:
- Additional machine operation hours without personnel required
- Low infrastructure requirements
- Operation during times of mine personnel absence
Personnel
same
same
less operators
no operators
Network
none
none
low-latency
network
network
basic
network
network
Automation
machine
enablement
enablement
machine & remote
enablement
enablement
machine & remote
enablement
enablement
full autonomy
enablement
enablement
Assisted Control
Assisted tele-remote control enhances remote equipment operation by providing intelligent steering support to the operator. While the machine remains under remote human control, the system helps guide the equipment along a stable path, improving navigation in narrow drifts, intersections, and other confined underground spaces.
By automatically supporting steering alignment and trajectory control, assisted systems help reduce unintended contact with walls or obstacles while maintaining smooth machine movement. This approach improves operational consistency and allows operators to manage remote equipment with greater confidence, particularly in complex or space-restricted mining environments.
As a result, assisted tele-remote control helps increase operational precision while maintaining the flexibility and situational awareness of human-controlled remote operation.
Operator Safety Gains
- Launch Assist
- Speed Limiting
- Collision Avoidance
- Lane Assist
Cost Implications
Personal
Same
Network
None
Automation
Machine Enablement
Remote Control
Remote control systems allow operators to manage underground mining equipment from a safe distance while maintaining direct visual contact with the machine. This approach is particularly useful in hazardous environments where removing the operator from the cabin can significantly reduce exposure to potential risks.
Through handheld or fixed control interfaces, operators can perform manoeuvres such as driving, positioning, and equipment handling with precise and responsive control. Depending on operational conditions, video transmission systems may also be integrated to enhance situational awareness and support safer machine operation.
By enabling equipment to be controlled remotely while maintaining clear operator oversight, remote control solutions provide a practical way to improve safety while preserving operational flexibility in challenging mining environments.
Operator Safety Gains
- Operator Removal from dangerous operations
- Line-of-Sight operation
- Operation during times of mine absence
Cost Implications
Personal
Same
Network
None
Automation
Machine & Remote Enablement
Semi Autonomous Control
Semi-autonomous operation blends operator control with machine-led functionality to streamline repetitive or predictable tasks. While the operator remains responsible for complex actions like loading, tipping, or precise positioning, the machine can independently execute trained routes such as navigating from point A to point B once activated.
Upon reaching its destination, the machine requests operator input before continuing, allowing a single operator to supervise multiple units simultaneously. This shift in operational workflow reduces idle time and maximises fleet productivity.
Compared to standard tele-remote systems, semi-autonomous machines require additional onboard computing power and environment-sensing technologies to support navigation, obstacle avoidance, and route planning.
Productivity Gains
- Automated driving
- Multiple machine operation through single operator
- Operator focus on complex tasks (e.g. loading)
- Remote location operation
- Operation during times of mine personnel absence
Cost Implications
Personal
Less Operators
Network
Low-Latency Network
Automation
Machine & Remote Enablement
Fully Autonomous
Fully autonomous mining enables mobile equipment to perform complete mission cycles without direct human intervention. Machines are capable of navigating underground environments, performing tasks such as loading, hauling, and tipping, and responding to changing conditions through advanced sensing, localisation, and control systems.
By combining real-time environmental awareness with intelligent decision-making, autonomous equipment can operate safely and consistently even in complex underground scenarios. This level of automation allows mining operations to remove operators from hazardous areas while maintaining reliable and predictable machine performance.
As a result, fully autonomous operation supports improved asset utilisation, reduced human exposure to underground risks, and a scalable pathway toward more efficient and modern mining operations.
Operator Safety Gains
- Additional machine operation hours without personnel required
- Low infrastructure requirements
- Operation during times of mine personnel absence
Cost Implications
Personal
No Operators
Network
Basic Network
Automation
Full Autonomy Enablement
The Journey to Autonomous Mining
Supporting operations from strategy to deployment
At Nerospec SK, we believe that automation is key to achieving safer underground mining operations. The integration of autonomous capabilities into mobile equipment is already reshaping the industry, enabling machines to perform tasks such as loading and hauling with greater safety and consistency while gradually removing operators from hazardous underground environments.
This shift toward underground mining automation not only improves safety and operational reliability but also increases productivity by enabling equipment to operate continuously and with predictable performance. As safety expectations and productivity demands continue to grow, automation is becoming both an operational and economic necessity for modern mining operations.
Operational Benefits
Safer Operations
Reduce human exposure in underground environments
Operational Consistency
Machines perform tasks with predictable precision
Higher Productivity
Loading and hauling cycles run continuously
Through the cutting-edge Autonomous Operator System (AOS), Nerospec SK is advancing the deployment of full autonomy for underground mobile equipment. We support mining operations throughout the entire automation journey, from defining the automation scope and safety concept to system implementation, regulatory approval, optimization, and personnel training. Each solution is tailored to the specific operational requirements of the mine, ensuring that automation integrates effectively into existing underground mining environments.
Cyclical Autonomous Operator Systems (AOS)
Continuous
Loading & Hauling
- fully autonomous loading, hauling, and dumping
- unsupervised
- retrofitted
- exclusive zones
- > 7.357 t loaded, carried, dumped to crusher
- > 587 cycles
- > 58 km travelled
Truck Loop
- semi-autonomous: autonomous driving and dumping
- tele-remote loading
- retrofitted
- exclusive zones
- traffic management
- 3 dump trucks on 4 partly shared routes
Transport
- semi-autonomous: autonomous driving of 8 km long routes
- automated passing at crossing points
- 3 vehicles per tele-remote operator station
- Personnel interaction designed in with PLd and EU Machine Regulation
Conveyor
- semi-autonomous: localization, and control of mobile conveyors
- Following miner
- automated on-ramp with conveyor structure
- Exclusive zones
Proven Implementation & Success Stories
Automation solutions delivered in the field
From fully autonomous LHD operation to tele-operation and guidance-enabled systems, Nerospec SK supports real underground automation deployments across multiple mines, applications, and regions.
Selected Use Cases
Fully Autonomous Underground Loader
Fully Autonomous Underground Loader
CHALLENGE:
- Previous automation projects have depended on tele-remote operations, which still tied up resources and required high bandwidth, low latency data networks, which are also sensitive to blasting
- Innovation today is a fully autonomous LHD working during shift changeovers, without supervision and with minimal network requirements.
SOLUTION:
- Applicaiton specific safety concept and functional design file, approved by mining authority
- OEM specific retrofit design and pre-validation of solution on surface
- Dedicated automation team deploying solution on site until desired performance is reached
RESULTS:
- Retrofit automaiton solution for underground mining vehicles
- Fully autonomous LHD operation during shift changeovers – No human supervision required
- No broadband network required
- Loading performance of 77+% of the nominal LHD capacity on average
- 20%+ Overall Equipment Efficiency increase by operating during shift changeovers
Automation in Numbers
> 13.000 t
Production Tonnage
> 135 h
Operating TIme
> 190 km
Production Distance
AUTONOMY, BUILT FOR YOUR MINE
FAQ
You have questions, we have answers
What is underground mining automation?
Underground mining automation refers to the use of advanced sensing, positioning, and control technologies that allow mobile mining equipment to operate with reduced or no direct human intervention. These systems can support functions ranging from remote control and operator assistance to fully autonomous loading and hauling.
What is the Autonomous Operator System (AOS)?
The Autonomous Operator System (AOS) is Nerospec SK’s automation platform designed to enable autonomous operation of underground mobile equipment. It allows machines such as LHD loaders or haul trucks to perform tasks like loading and hauling with minimal or no operator supervision.
Can automation work in underground mines without constant network connectivity?
Yes. Certain automation functions can operate independently of continuous network connectivity. Systems like the Autonomous Operator System can execute predefined tasks autonomously while communication infrastructure may still be used for monitoring and coordination
Can existing mining equipment be automated?
Yes. Nerospec SK solutions are designed as retrofit systems that can be integrated into existing underground mobile equipment. This enables mines to automate current fleets without replacing machines from different OEMs.
Is the system compatible with different equipment manufacturers?
Yes. The automation architecture is OEM-agnostic, allowing integration with machines from different manufacturers and supporting mixed underground fleets.
How long does it take to implement an underground automation system?
Implementation timelines vary depending on the mine layout, equipment type, and operational requirements. Typical projects involve stages such as system integration, testing, optimization, and personnel training.