Crawl & Stop
Automatic deceleration and controlled stopping when high-probability collision risk is detected.
Beyond Alerts. Built to Act
Operator Assist : safety beyond alerts
Every year, 30–40% of underground mining fatalities are linked to vehicles that fail to stop in time, often involving pedestrian exposure in confined environments.
Our Operator Assist system continuously monitors machine movement and proximity risks, automatically intervening when high-probability collision scenarios are detected. Instead of relying solely on operator reaction, Operator Assist applies controlled deceleration or full stop when required.
With over 21 years of engineering driven innovation, Nerospec has helped define global safety standards as a founding member of EMESRT. Our Level 9 architecture enables OEM-agnostic retrofit integration, allowing fleetwide automatic safety controls across mixed equipment.
How Operator Assist works in practice
Speed Control Management
Context-aware speed regulation based on geofenced zones, haulage gradients, and payload conditions.
Pedestrian Detection
Identifies workers in risk zones and triggers intervention.
Seamless Integration
Works with any machine, regardless of make or model.
Real-Time Monitoring
Continuous tracking of vehicle movement and risk variables.
Traffic Management & Zone Fencing
Digital zone enforcement and automated traffic coordination.
Why Operator Assist?
In heavy-duty mining, a split-second delay or a blind spot can lead to catastrophic equipment damage or loss of life. Manual operation has its limits; Nerospec SK’s technology fills the gap.
Our Solution
Operator Assist is an intelligent safety layer that integrates directly with ANY Collision Avoidance System (CAS/PDS) and ANY mobile equipment. It doesn’t just warn the operator, it acts.
Key Benefits
Zero-Latency Response
Faster-than-human reaction times in emergency braking scenarios. No room for human error.
OEM Independent
Retrofit onto existing fleets. Any machine, make or model.
Intelligent Diagnostics
Insightful reporting on intervention events to improve operator training.
Custom Ruggedized Hardware
Rated for harsh mining conditions. Withstands extreme vibration, dust, and temperature fluctuations.
Impact you can measure
> 13.000 t
Production Tonnage
> 135 h
Operating TIme
> 190 km
Production Distance
Ready to eliminate "unavoidable" accidents?
Let’s discuss how Operator Assist can be tailored to your specific fleet requirements.
SAFETY STANDARDS and COMPLIANCE
Engineered for Level 9. Built for Real-World Mining.
Peace of Mind through Compliance
Our Operator Assist solution is engineered to meet and exceed EMESRT Level 9 requirements, supporting the highest level of collision avoidance intervention in underground mining.
Fully aligned with ISO 21815 standards for earth-moving machinery, our system ensures your operation remains compliant with global safety frameworks, without compromising productivity.
Proven Implementation & Success Stories
Our Implementation of Operator Assist
Over the last years Nerospec has implemented this technology with success at various South-African mines resulting in a steep decline in powered mobile equipment accidents.
Improving control systems to oversee the operation of mobile equipment and the transfer of personnel and materials is a significant obstacle to minimizing deaths in the mining sector. Approximately 30 to 40% of annual industrial deaths are attributed to failures in vehicle interaction controls, with the majority of these involving pedestrians in underground mines.
Due to the high number of deaths and mishaps in the worldwide mining sector, the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT) was established as a global effort comprising the mining industry’s largest businesses. EMESRT has collaborated with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to increase the operability and maintainability of equipment beyond OEM specifications.
Selected Use Cases
Advanced Collision Prevention for TMM Operations
Advanced Collision Prevention for TMM Operations
CHALLENGE:
Collisions between Trackless Mobile Machines (TMMs) – as well as between pedestrians and TMMs.
SOLUTION:
Implementing the neroHUB Level 9 Crawl and Stop interface on Trackless Mobile Machines (TMMs). Supported by a Proximity Detection Interface (PDI) and Speed Brake Interlock (SBI) implementation that constantly monitors and maintains speed of a TMM.
RESULTS:
Fully supporting CRAWL and STOP or LEVEL 9 as it has come to be known in Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT) markets. Preventing any safety incidents such as loss of control or running away on a decline.
Take Safety to the Next Level
VIC doesn’t just warn, it intervenes. Protect your workforce, reduce operational risk, and implement a scalable safety layer across your fleet.
Start your journey toward safer, smarter mining.
FAQ
Understanding Operator Assist Control in Practice
What is the difference between Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) and Vehicle Intervention Control (VIC)?
VIC goes beyond traditional CAS. While CAS provides alerts to the operator, VIC actively intervenes — automatically slowing, stopping, or controlling the vehicle when a risk is detected. This ensures consistent safety performance, independent of human reaction time
Can VIC be integrated with existing Collision Avoidance or Proximity Detection Systems?
Yes. Nerospec SK’s VIC is designed as an OEM-agnostic safety layer that integrates with existing CAS/PDS solutions, enabling intervention without requiring full system replacement.
Does VIC work across mixed fleets and different equipment types?
Yes. VIC is designed to operate across mixed OEM fleets and can be adapted to various underground mobile equipment, including loaders, trucks, and utility vehicles.
What kind of intervention actions can VIC perform?
Depending on the configuration, VIC can:
- limit speed
- apply controlled braking
- prevent machine movement
- enforce safe zones and operational rules
How does VIC improve safety compared to operator-based systems?
Operator-based systems rely on human reaction, which can be delayed or inconsistent. VIC removes this dependency by applying standardized, real-time intervention logic, ensuring safety actions are always executed when required.
Can VIC operate without continuous network connectivity?
Yes. VIC is designed for underground environments and can operate independently of continuous network coverage, ensuring reliable safety performance even in disconnected conditions.
Is VIC compliant with modern mining safety standards?
VIC supports the implementation of advanced safety frameworks, including EMESRT-aligned approaches, helping operations move toward higher levels of risk control and intervention-based safety.
Can VIC be tailored to specific site requirements?
Yes. Intervention logic, safety zones, and control strategies can be configured based on site conditions, operational workflows, and safety policies.