On September 3, Hexagon launched its next-generation Vehicle Intervention System (VIS) globally, designed for collision prevention and automatic intervention in surface mining vehicles. The system is engineered to meet Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT) Level 9 requirements and can directly intervene in vehicle control when a vehicle enters a preset high-risk state and the operator fails to respond to warnings in a timely manner.

Built on Hexagon's Collision Avoidance System (CAS) and existing mine safety systems, the new VIS enables automatic intervention for collision risks involving vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-person, and vehicle-to-obstacle scenarios. The system supports preventing vehicle forward or reverse movement, dynamic retarder intervention, and service braking, while also controlling safe following distance and vehicle overspeed conditions, including on mine ramp operations. In the event of critical system failures, it can place the vehicle in a safe state. Depending on the specific vehicle and implementation configuration, VIS can also perform control functions such as dump body raise prevention.

The system employs a tiered control logic that progresses from warnings to automatic intervention. When a vehicle enters a risk state, the operator first receives warnings through audible and visual signals. If the operator fails to respond appropriately to Level 8 warnings, Level 9 functionality can further intervene in the vehicle's propulsion, retarder, or braking systems. The new platform supports mining vehicles of different types and from different manufacturers, without being limited to a single original equipment manufacturer.