The ALS project is developing technologies with the intent to
improve the productivity and reduce the cost of mass excavation.
In a typical mass excavation application, a loading machine digs
material from a face and dumps the material in a truck, with a
throughput of hundreds of trucks per day. The process is
repetitive and continues day and night and in most weather
conditions. The type of loading machine and truck can vary, as
can the material to be loaded which may range from sand to hard
rock. Other issues include maintaining safety of all machines
and personnel in the loading area and coordination of multiple
machines to achieve a prescribed goal. Back to home page.