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Highlights
- Australian Droid and Robot (ADR) raises $2 million to boost production of autonomous mining robots.
- Robots provide safe, efficient data collection for clients like BHP and Rio Tinto.
- New tech development, "Explora System," aims to reduce mining costs with continuous operations by 2025.
Australian Droid and Robot (ADR), a Brisbane-based robotics start-up, has secured a $2 million investment to expand the production of its specialized mining robots. Founded by Joe Cronin, a former Rio Tinto project manager with a PhD in robotics, ADR has gained recognition for its innovative, eight-wheeled robots that safely collect data in hazardous underground environments. With high-profile clients like BHP (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), ADR’s robots are instrumental in enhancing efficiency and safety during mining operations.
The autonomous robots, each weighing 30 kilograms, are engineered to navigate dark, debris-filled environments while operating alongside mining machinery without disruption. Packed with an array of sensors, these robots can handle complex terrain and capture critical measurements even in conditions that are unsafe for human operators. Cronin’s experience at Rio Tinto served as the foundation for ADR’s mission, as he recognized the need for continuous, safe data collection without stopping essential automated systems.
ADR demonstrated its technology in 2021 through a contract to inspect a collapsed limestone mine in Tennessee. In a challenging environment where the town relied on the mine for employment, ADR’s team used ten robots, securing a $500,000 contract to complete the inspection. Within a week, ADR’s technology allowed the mine to reopen, showcasing the value of its robots in restoring operations efficiently in critical situations.
Leading the latest funding round, Resource Capital Funds (RCF) will further support ADR’s development of the "Explora Remote Data Acquisition System." This advanced docking station is designed to enable continuous underground data collection, eliminating the need for human intervention in hazardous zones. Set for release in 2025, the system is expected to streamline mining processes, potentially lowering operational costs by 5-7% by ensuring uninterrupted activity.
RCF partner Lyle Bruce shared his optimism for ADR’s impact, emphasizing the technology's role in making mining safer, cleaner, and more efficient. With the upcoming Explora System, ADR aims to set a new standard for autonomous data collection, fostering advancements that prioritize both safety and cost-effectiveness in the mining sector.
