Holcim has utilised mobile communication technology from Swisscom to develop its existing autonomous vehicle project with Volvo at its limestone quarry in Villigen, Switzerland.
The move is part of Holcim’s ongoing Plants of Tomorrow digitalisation initiative and is in line with its net-zero target for renewable energies and climate-friendly logistics to achieve more sustainable cement production.
The battery-powered, driverless electric dumper trucks are both quieter and safer than conventional dumper trucks.
The loaded dumper trucks make their way from Holcim’s Gabenchopf quarry to the production plant.
It is crucial the time that it takes for data reaches the control centre from the vehicles is a fast as possible.
This is made more challenging because of large amounts of data that need to be transmitted and a constantly changing quarry topography due to limestone and marl mining practices.
To address this, Holcim has deplored Swisscom mobile communication technology mobile private network to monitor and control the trucks. This means that resources are specifically allocated to Holcim, ensuring that that critical business processes run smoothy.
Swisscom’s Mobile Private Network (MPN) provides a bridge from the mobile network to the Holcim’s Local Area Network (LAN), carrying mobile data through a separate D channel via its mobile core.
“We have to ensure that the vehicles are monitored at all times. We therefore looked for a mobile technology-based remote monitoring solution for the vehicles and found it with Swisscom,” Holcim Plants of Tomorrow/Manufacturing 4.0 programme manager Michael Suter said.
“The the solution needs to be secure, stable and scalable,” Suter added.
Holcim and Volvo first embarked on the project in late 2021.
“Our participation in this project represents another step towards fulfilling our sustainability objectives,” Holcim chief executive, Switzerland and Italy Simon Kronenberg said in a press release.
“We seek solutions that are both innovative and environmentally responsible and we are constantly investing in measures to reduce our ecological footprint in order to help build a sustainable future.”