Smart Industry 1/2019

Smart Business Anti-collision tech
While improved safety is the main benefit of anti-collision systems in mining,
construction, and ports, many operations also see productivity and
efficiency gains as a result of the technology investments. At the same time,
anti-collision technology can be a stepping stone to remote control and
even full automation of machines, vehicles, and equipment.
n By Stian Overdahl
Tower cranes play a crucial
role on many construction
sites, both for logistics and
construction, and their productivity
can make or break a project’s
timeline. “Hook time” is highly
sought after and allocated sparingly
to a project’s many subcontractors.
Cranes are also safety-critical: a tower
crane’s height means any accident,
especially collisions with other cranes
or buildings, can result in serious injuries
or death, whether for the crane
operators, the workers below, or even
members of the public. Beyond loss of
38
lives and lost work time, tower crane
accidents also bring negative publicity
to a work site, affecting the reputation
of the contractors and even their
client, the developer.
The emphasis on safety has led to
anti-collision technologies that are
among the most advanced available
and they are often essential elements
in construction tenders. In some cases,
this has been driven by regulation
– in France, for example, mandatory
regulation was introduced in 1987
and today it has led to its companies
dominating the supplier space.
Now based in Dubai, SK Solutions
started up in France and its Navigator
software is distinguished by inclusion
in the Key French Technology
list. Though tower crane positioning
was the initial focus, CEO Severin
Kezeu now describes his invention
as a universal anti-collision system to
manage “everything that is moving.”
Navigator now covers site equipment
such as mobile cranes, placing booms
for concrete, excavators, trucks –
even people. Beyond construction
sites, the solution is now used in mining,
oil and gas, utilities, and ports.