The following SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity. More about the SMART 100.
This innovation initially came to life when…
The initial system was developed for a third party in order to replace reversing sirens on large mining trucks. It was soon realised that there was a huge requirement for a system such as this across many industrial sectors (mining, logistics and warehousing, freight terminals, gantry cranes and more) as a system to help reduce risk of collision between any moving machinery and personnel. The current system has been developed over several years of research, development, and testing to the point that it is now ready for full commercial release with the aim of saving lives in the workplace.
WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
Save lives in the work place by reducing the risk of collision between vehicles, machinery, and personnel.
It does this by…
BodyGuard effectively sets up an invisible shield around a vehicle or any other machine that is fitted with a detector device. Whenever any object (person, vehicle, machine, etc.) penetrates this invisible user-programmable protection zone, an audible and visual warning is activated to alert the operator of impending danger and provides them the opportunity to take evasive action.
PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
The detection zone is fully programmable. The personnel TAG unit enables individual people to be detected by detection units in the vehicles. (The TAG is very low power and will operate for 2 weeks on a battery charge). Each vehicle detector unit has programmable outputs that can control the vehicle’s brakes, speed, etc. History log retains the last 2000 “near-miss” events.
Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…
Lower risk of collision = Lower risk of injury = lower risk of death by accident. Saves expensive downtime and litigation. Saves loss or damage to equipment and plant history log can used as pro-active tool to analyse site safety.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
Radar (resulted in many false detections of rocks, etc.) and camera systems that required constant driver attention and maintenance, GPS (which had high variability of detection zone +/- 10m). Many previous system technologies required driver attention to monitor the system even when no detections occurred. They were also prone to not work well in dust, rain, bright sunlight, dull light.
Its predecessors/competitors include…
Radar, sonar, infra-red, reversing camera, magnetics.
TARGET MARKET
It is made for…
Open-cut mines (haul road truck to utility vehicle and personnel detection), warehouse/logistics (forklifts, personnel, work and packaging areas), shipping/freight terminals for gantry cranes. Construction sites on excavators’ truck mounted cranes (stops boom if it gets too close to operator). Processing plants for gantry crane/work platforms forestry “spotters” in front of bulldozers. Lock-out for hazardous areas when vehicles in operation. Boats nearing wharfs and other boats. Laser-guided vehicles and forklift anti-collision.
DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
It is available for sale through…
Direct from Orbit Communications Pty Ltd.
Our marketing strategy is to…
Establish a strong reputation for the product by selling direct to innovators and early majority. (We work closely with these clients to ensure the system has been set up correctly, operating to maximum effectiveness and staff are trained in use). After this we will establish a distribution network and train the distributors to install, set up and optimise the system.
SUPPORTING IMAGES AND/OR VIDEO
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To check out the Anthill SMART 100 Readers’ Choice winner for 2010, click here.
