CASE Study:

A.I. Mining Production Estimation Software

This report has been written by:

William PagnonCEO Freelance Robotics Pty LtdMaster in Robotics (ESIEA, Paris France)Master in Mechatronics (UQ, Brisbane Australia)

Unit 2 / 38 Neumann Rd

Capalaba QLD 4157 Australia

Email: info@freelancerobotics.com.au

Web: www.freelancerobotics.com.au

ABN: 76 147 023 185 ACN: 147 023 185

Contents

About Freelance Robotics 3

Introduction 4

Background 4

The Process: From Concept to Reality 5

Feasibility Study 6

Research and Development Investigation 7

Project Delivery 8

Conclusion 9

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About Freelance Robotics

Freelance Robotics is an innovative engineering company focusing on industrial automation and unique product development through prototypes for custom industrial solutions and entrepreneurs. As part of our service, Freelance Robotics provides clients with a full Feasibility Study which illustrates the potential solution and includes CAD drawings, costing of materials and labour required, as well as GANTT charts illustrating the time it would take to complete the project. This document assists clients in making an informed decision as to whether to proceed to the next stage of the process which is the research and development of the product or custom solution.

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IntroductionFirstly, thank you for considering Freelance Robotics services. We have prepared this case study to demonstrate the product development process for the machine learning software we developed for the mining industry as an example of how we achieve success in this field.

Background

Our client in the mining industry sought our services in software development. The project required the develop of a software solution which met the following requirements:

� Able to calculate the amount of ore mined on a daily basis,

� Accurately predict the most effective timing for their fleet of mining vehicles,

� Predict the best path to travel to and from many different points at the mine via a long, narrow road.

In relation to the latter, the biggest concern our client faced was that in many sections of the road, there was no room for vehicles to pass each other, especially the larger mining trucks. The project required the development of specialised software with the abillity to learn the best routes and starting times for their entire fleet, maximising vehicle usage per shift, while at the same time minimising the risk of vehicle incidents and therefore, increasing the profitability of the company.

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The Process: From Concept to Reality

Process

The product development process at Freelance Robotics involves five key stages. As can be seen from this illustration, different situations can be assessed on a case by case basis, for example a client may decide to proceed with only a certain stage of the process depending on their budget and their requirements.

The software we developed for our client followed the entire process from concept to delivery. At every phase of the project, our clients are consulted and work to date is reviewed to ensure we are:

� Providing the best service possible, and

� Performing as the client requires, keeping to their specifications of the project.

In order to achieve a high output of work in a short space of time, Freelance Robotics makes use of the following software for assistance:

� Atlassian’s JIRA for project management

JIRA provides us with the ability to accurately record time taken on each task along with a description of the work performed. JIRA also allows us to move all tasks relevant to a certain project to a ‘sprint’, which allows easy guidance of each task, ensuring all specifications and requirements are met.

� Wikidea for storage of all knowledge previously gained, ensuring smaller development times

� SVN Software Version Control for source code development and CAD designs

During the Feasibility Study phase, Freelance Robotics proposes a solution and provides a cost estimate for the final product including the research and development (R&D) cost for the proof of concept (POC).

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Feasibility Study

To provide our clients with the best solutions available at the time of considering a new idea, the first step is to test the feasibility of the idea. We initially review previous work from different sources in order to not duplicate an existing product (should the client wish to pursue a patent) and determine a solution for our client’s unique product. We also review what off the shelf materials/software we could use to minimise the R&D time and cost of the overall product. A customised process and solution is evaluated, illustrated and described during this phase to estimate the work involved.

Feasibility Study reports compiled by Freelance Robotics contain all necessary information required for the evaluation and decision-making process surrounding a project.

The benefits of engaging Freelance Robotics to provide a Feasibility Study include the provision of professional, structured and comprehensive reports, produced in a hard copy book and a soft copy format. The reports include:

� Executive summary explaining what is contained in the report

� Purpose and description of the study which clarifies the objectives and benefits, items out of scope and the overview and constraints

� Proposed solution/s which include technological systems and improving long-term cost efficiency

� Proposed process to establish the project

� Proposed data monitoring system

� Potential parts of the system including suggested brands/models or off the shelf software available, suitable for the function/s required

� Time and cost estimate to complete the proposed project/s with an accuracy rate of +/-30%

� Standards compliance

� Maintenance requirements

� Manufacturing process (if applicable)

� Return on Investment (ROI) report

� Detailed and accurate CAD drawings (if required)

� Concept drawings (if required)

� Proof of Concept (POC) report

� Conclusion and suggestions from Freelance Robotics.

After an in depth discussion with our client, we will commence the respective Feasibility Study. With the combined expertise and experience of our staff, Freelance Robotics is able to accurately research, visualise, calculate and, if employed to, create customised software or products.

In regards to this project, our client did not seek to patent this software as they were not interested in releasing it to market. Therefore, to lower our client’s costs, we did not conduct a comprehensive Feasibility Study, though carried out a similar R&D investigation concerning the feasibility of various algorithms and systems of calculation.

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Research and Development Investigation

The scope of the project was to provide software which could be used to determine the expected output tonnage produced at the mine given the composition of the fleet, mine topology and various other specific parameters of the mine, while also providing enough versatility to enable the software to readily ‘self-perform’ analyses of different scenarios, allowing application of the software to different mine sites.

The following is a higher level summary of the scope:

� Ability to model the relevant characteristics of the mine including:

� Source material location/s

� Destination for the material

� Key locations in the haulage route including passing bays, stockpile turn-ins (another form of passing bay, also referred to as ‘reversing bays’) and intersections (which connect different haulage routes and also can act as passing bays)

� Gradient and length of all segments of the haulage route/s

� Ability to define haulage routes within the mine model

� Ability to define different fleets and attach them to haulage routes

� Fleets may consist of a range of predefined truck types based on manufacturers’ data, with the ability to add “custom” truck types (e.g. in the case where the haulage capacity of a particular truck model may be “downrated” due to material properties at a particular mine source location)

� Ability to define ‘mine specific’ parameters including:

� Shift duration

� Shift non-productive time (e.g. due to prestarts, breaks etc.)

� Parameters for accounting for truck mechanical availability, hotseating, number and trip frequency of Light Vehicle trips per shift, number and trip frequency for “nonproduction output” related heavy vehicles

� Ability for the user to readily interpret and adjust all problem configuration parameters

� A simulation which models all of the above and produces the expected output tonnage and other required data

� Reporting of results including a list of KPIs and the key simulation parameters used to determine the results

� Ability to export summary and detailed output to Comma Separated Values (CSV) file.

To simplify the problem, we considered a basic version of the mine topology that provided most of the variables from the full problem. This initial simplification easily allowed us to find a general solution that fit the requirement of the mine, as well as any similarly structured mines.

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Freelance Robotics came to the conclusion that the most effective way to estimate total production was to use a Bayesian Network, utilising the probabilistical data to therefore produce data from the parameters set by the client from different scenarios and alternate mine sites.

The software was developed and thoroughly tested to ensure it adhered to the client’s initial specifications.

Project Delivery

Among other specifications, our client requested for our reports to be presented in a summary form with all calculations and R&D information contained, allowing the client to drill-down for further information if required.

It was requested that the outputs be presented in a user-friendly and easily comprehensible manner, enabling the user to quickly obtain a snapshot of the problem configuration (i.e. the key input parameters and results).

A user manual and technical reports were developed and provided to our client to ensure assistance was readily accessible.

The total duration of the project was two months from start to product delivery, as per the developed project timeline. Regular meetings were conducted with our client to ensure we were performing to their requirements. The client meetings took place at our office, though in other circumstances we are capable of travelling to our client’s office or engaging in remote meetings via skype.

The software was delivered to our client during a meeting at our office, though it required a few minor cosmetic modifications prior to final release. The client was pleased with the results. On conclusion of the testing phase and final modifications, we engaged with our client again and presented the final product.

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ConclusionThis case study was developed to demonstrate the way in which Freelance Robotics successfully develops commercially viable products, using the A.I. Mining Production Estimation Software as an example.

As you can see, the client is involved in every part of the process, making key decisions to ensure that the final product meets their vision. Through our experience, we have found that this allows early identification of issues, which can then be resolved quickly and at the lowest cost. Our clients are encouraged to visit the workshop during construction and testing to provide input and observe to ensure we are on track with the project. We have found that maintaining this close relationship results in a more successful project for all concerned.

Should you have any questions about this case study or Freelance Robotics services in general, please contact us.

Best Regards,

William Pagnon

CEO Freelance Robotics Pty Ltd

Master in Mechatronics (UQ) Australia

Master in Robotics (ESIEA) France

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