RIGID ROBOTICS has announced that a new product, named CONDUCTOR™, will be displayed to the public for the first time at MINExpo 2016 in Las Vegas.

CONDUCTOR is a tethered, unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed for persistent, uninterrupted operation. CONDUCTOR, combined with a suite of ground post-processing applications, delivers actionable intelligence to a wide range of operations. Thanks to a powered tether between the UAS and the ground, CONDUCTOR does not require downtime in order to refuel or recharge.

Built with more intelligence than peers in its class, CONDUCTOR can operate autonomously and safely without the need for a human operator. Flight risks are eliminated thanks to fault-tolerant control and a redundant power system that enables CONDUCTOR to land safely in the event that ground power fails. The UAS boasts 100m altitude operation, strong wind resistance, and up to a 10kg payload capacity.

"CONDUCTOR represents an exciting new opportunity for the mining industry to gather data, guide operations, and ultimately improve safety and productivity," says RIGID ROBOTICS’ CEO Mehran Motamed. "We are excited that those at MINExpo will be the first to see and learn about it in person."

CONDUCTOR will be delivered to customers alongside a base station with the customer choosing either a fixed box, placing the base station on a trailer, or integrating it into a truck or van. The base station will then handle power delivery as well as feeding and re-spooling the tether.

MINExpo, which runs 26-28 September, will also be used to exhibit RIGID ROBOTICS’ existing DriveAssist™ platform, which can be used to enable collision avoidance, driver assistance, or full vehicle automation. The company’s booth will be #25353, located in the South Hall.