Vehicle Intervention System First For Surface Mining

Mining equipment supplier Hexagon has announced that it is extending the scope of its Vehicle Intervention System (VIS) and integrated safety portfolio to include automated collision prevention for customers worldwide. 

The expanded functionality encompasses automated collision prevention, safety rule enforcement and fail-safe protection. Hexagon is a leading supplier of precision measurement, positioning and autonomous solutions for construction, general manufacturing, mining and other industries. 

The solution is categorised as an EMESRT (Earthmoving Equipment Safety Round Table) Level 9 vehicle intervention system. As such, VIS can automatically take control of a machine in defined high-risk situations when safety thresholds are breached.

The system has successfully completed an independent Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4) validation programme run by the University of Pretoria, making it the first open-pit Level 9 solution to achieve this milestone.

“Surface mining operators continue to face complex safety challenges in dynamic environments where visibility, fatigue, environmental conditions, and human factors can contribute to risk,” says Dave Goddard, President, Hexagon’s Mining Division. 

“When milliseconds matter, mines need technology that can act decisively. The next generation of VIS builds on years of operational experience and proven deployments to provide the highest level of intervention available, helping customers protect people, equipment and productivity.”

Built on Hexagon's Collision Avoidance System (CAS) and integrated safety portfolio, VIS provides a final layer of protection when advisory controls alone are insufficient. The system can automatically inhibit propulsion, apply retardation or braking, enforce safe following distances, manage overspeed conditions, including on ramps, and bring a vehicle to a safe state if a critical system fault is detected.

Key capabilities include:

• Collision prevention: autonomously intervenes to help prevent vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-person and vehicle-to-obstacle collisions
• Rule enforcement: supports safer operation by enforcing speed limits and following-distance requirements
• Fail-safe protection: continuously monitors system health and places vehicles in a safe state if a critical fault is detected
• OEM flexibility: supports a broad range of vehicle types and manufacturers without OEM lock-in.

Expanding 3D functionality

In September 2026, Hexagon announced that it was acquiring the remaining 49% of its majority-owned 3D scanning subsidiary, ZG Technology. The unit ZG has been consolidated within Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence Business Area since Hexagon acquired a majority stake in 2021.

ZG develops handheld 3D scanning technology, with a portfolio developed in-house and supported by its own software copyrights and patents. The acquisition will allow Hexagon to consolidate its handheld platforms into one platform. 

Vehicle Intervention System

VIS has been deployed in production environments since 2018 and has supported mining operations across four continents. The next-generation platform builds on that operational foundation while expanding intervention coverage and improving system precision to address evolving industry requirements.

The launch forms part of Hexagon's broader safety portfolio, which combines collision avoidance, vehicle intervention, advanced 4D radar sensing, operator awareness, and safety analytics. Together, these technologies help mines improve hazard detection in challenging conditions, prevent incidents, protect people, and support operational continuity on the journey towards zero harm.

Key Partners 

Alcoa - Alcoa is a global industry leader in alumina and aluminium products. Alcoa operates assets in Australia, Brazil, South Africa and elsewhere globally. In July 2026, Alcoa agreed to acquire a number of aluminium assets from South32 for up to US$5.6bn, including South32's interests in Worsley Alumina, Hillside Aluminium, the MRN bauxite mine, the Brazil Alumina refinery and the Brazil Aluminium smelter.

Rio Tinto - Rio Tinto is one of the largest mining companies in the world, and operates assets in a number of commodities across the world. In addition to Rio Tinto’s iron ore assets in Western Australia, Rio Tinto operates world class copper, aluminium and lithium mining assets. Hexagon has partnered with Rio Tinto to deploy over two hundred Hexagon Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia.

MMG - MMG Limited serves as a vital bridge between Australian resource expertise and global industrial demand. The company’s operations at Dugald River and Rosebery in Australia remain critical to its base metal output. MMG is heavily focused on optimising its zinc and copper production to meet the requirements of global infrastructure and renewable energy projects. MMG has deployed Hexagon’s Operator Awareness System (OAS) at its Rosebery underground mine with positive results.