Nautilus International has sold 49 Autonomous Guidance Systems in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the USA, South America and Canada.
Nautilus has been developing their AGS system for a long time. The first prototype was started in 1999 and completed in 2000. Also in 2000, Nautilus completed the design and manufacture of ‘Lucy’ a battery powered loader used to test all Nautilus systems.
Lucy is a very small loader but she’s fitted with a full AGS system. For the last 18 years, Nautilus has used Lucy and it’s indoor mine to simplify, improve, miniaturize and test their systems. The Nautilus mine has a fully equipped Control Room with a main drive, two crosscuts, a 45 degree stock pile, two orthogonal stockpiles, a Y intersection and a stope.
What are the best features of the Nautilus AGS system?
It’s simple and easy to understand. The equipment is small, rugged and very reliable. A mine electrician can easily maintain this system. The loader equipment can be installed in about 5 hours. The tunnel equipment is small, rugged and short-circuit proof. The maps used to guide the loader can be made by the operator.