Advanced Navigation Launches Chimera Land Laser Navigation System for Mining

Why It Matters

By providing reliable, infrastructure‑free navigation, Chimera Land cuts operational lag and infrastructure costs, accelerating the shift toward autonomous, safer underground mining.

Key Takeaways

• Laser velocity sensor eliminates need for fixed beacons
• 99.9% positional accuracy over 22.9 km transit
• Drift reduced to 0.07% per distance travelled
• Supports autonomous haulage and precision drilling
• Enhances safety by providing real‑time situational intelligence

Pulse Analysis

Underground mining has long wrestled with the paradox of needing precise vehicle localisation in environments where GPS cannot penetrate. Traditional solutions rely on Wi‑Fi beacons, radio tags, or extensive mapping, all of which become prohibitively expensive as mine faces extend deeper. The lack of reliable positioning not only stalls haulage and misaligns drill rigs but also inflates operational costs and safety risks. As ore bodies move further underground, the industry demands a navigation method that can operate independently of external infrastructure.

Chimera Land answers that demand with a 3D laser velocity sensor (LVS) that measures ground‑relative motion in three dimensions. By feeding this high‑resolution velocity data into Advanced Navigation’s Boreas D90 inertial navigation system and its adaptive AdNav Intelligence software, the solution continuously corrects inertial drift, achieving 99.9% accuracy over a 22.9‑kilometre transit in BHP’s deep‑mine trial. The system recorded a final position error of just 15.9 metres and an inertial drift rate of 0.07% per distance travelled, outperforming legacy beacon‑based setups and eliminating the need for pre‑mapped routes.

The implications for the mining sector are significant. A self‑contained, high‑precision navigation platform enables autonomous haulage trucks to operate continuously, reduces downtime caused by positioning failures, and improves drill‑rig alignment, directly boosting productivity and profitability. Moreover, the technology enhances worker safety by providing real‑time situational intelligence, allowing machines to make informed decisions in low‑visibility, hazardous zones. As deeper, more complex ore bodies become economically viable, Chimera Land positions Advanced Navigation as a key enabler of the next wave of autonomous, cost‑effective underground mining.