This week, Ouster, the maker of light detection and radar (LiDAR) sensors used in industrial automation and smart infrastructure technologies, announced its first major deal since the company’s IPO last month. In a company announcement on Monday, Ouster announced that its digital LiDAR sensors have been selected by Waytous, China’s largest developer of autonomous mining vehicles, for use in its emerging unmanned truck fleet.
In May 2020, Waytous launched the world’s first large-scale autonomous mining truck project in an extremely cold environment. The Baorixile open-pit coal mine in China’s Inner Mongolia region is reportedly also the first mining project built on a 5G network with up to five autonomous mining trucks operating simultaneously.
“Mines are relatively safe spaces to deploy autonomous driving technology because they are located in places with few people and limited external interference. Such an enclosed environment is ideal for the early deployment of autonomous driving technology,” Waytous CEO and co-founder Long Chen, said in a statement for Ouster on Monday.
Why mining
Mining has long been tipped as a suitable use case for LiDAR-powered autonomous vehicles, not least due to worker safety concerns. Traditional mining vehicles tend to have multiple blind spots, similar to tractor-trailers, long-haul trucks or large forklifts. With long hours of operation, the risk of operator fatigue while driving equipment is quite high.
Ouster claims that by fully or semi-automating mining equipment with LiDAR technology that can 3-D map the surrounding environment and detect objects in and around the path, these operating hazards may be greatly reduced.
Besides worker safety, mining vehicles must be able to withstand the challenges of terrain, bumpy roads, dust, precipitation, and extreme weather conditions. Extreme cold temperatures, for example, can shorten the lifetime of select components, adding and safety risks to mining projects.
According to Ouster, its OS0 and OS1 LiDAR sensors have a cold start function and can operate in environments as low as -40 degrees Celsius, meeting automotive specifications for cold weather performance. The digital sensors also pass strict shock and vibration tests before leaving the factory, so that the technology is capable of operating and providing accurate data in rough, unpaved mining environments.
The sensors are also designed to be less affected by rain, snow and dust, which may obscure the optical window, making them suitable for use in unpredictable weather conditions and for extended outdoor use.
“Ouster’s digital lidar provides high reliability and can operate in extreme cold environments, which are two of the most important factors for autonomous mining trucks. That’s why Ouster became our first choice. The adoption of autonomous mining trucks will continue to accelerate, and Ouster is ready to scale with us,” said Waytous’ Chen.
Post-SPAC
Founded in 2015, Ouster listed its shares last month on the New York Stock Exchange through a $1.9 billion transaction with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Colonnade Acquisition Corp. Also last month, Ouster announced another autonomous driving technology partnership in China, partnering with “robo-bus” maker QCraft to provide digital LiDAR sensors for QCraft’s third fleet of 5G-powered autonomous buses in Wuhan, China.
Last March, Waytous announced a successful Series A2 venture round of more than RMB 100 million ($15 million), led by Cathay Cartech Fund, a Cathay innovation fund focused on next-generation mobility solutions in China, along with Hina Group, Hai Chuang Fund of Funds, FOF, and Beijing-based real assets investor Sigma Square Capital.
