Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/449927
I DA U N I V E R S A L J a n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 34 H itachi is licensing Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection technology from Nissan for use on its construc- tion equipment commonly found in large, open pit mining operations. (Photo courtesy Nissan) Nissan said it will license its Around View Monitor (AVM) and Moving Object Detection (MOD) technology to Hitachi Construction Machinery Company to improve safety of massive trucks and excavators at large open-pit mines. A press release from Nissan said that AVM and MOD together are "the building blocks of autonomous driving technology that will operate commercially viable Nissan Autonomous Drive vehicles by 2020." We've had dealings with Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection before. While I thought the Around View Monitor camera array was cool-yet-largely- unneeded on the small- footprint Nissan Versa Note SL I tested last year, I found the technology much more useful in the new Nissan Rogue. Nissan said the licensing agreement will enable Hitachi Construction Machinery to provide AVM and MOD technology to its massive haul trucks and hydraulic excava- tors working at large open-pit mines. When drivers start operating the vehicle, drop cargo, back up to load cargo, or when a hydraulic shovel is used in close proximity to the vehicle, the AVM-MOD technology detects any movement or workers in the area around it in real time, enabling the driver to work with greater situational aware- ness, which enhances safety. Nissan will contribute to the growth of technology through the applica- tion of its unique technologies and know-how for its own use as well as in a variety of fi elds. Profi t generated through the eff ective use of these intangible assets will be invested in new technology develop- ment, further contrib- uting to Nissan's technological compe- tence. Hitachi Construction Machinery Company Mining and Heavy Equipment Division General Manager Tomohiko Yasuda stands in front of a Japanese market, Nissan Elgrand, and one of his company's enormous dump trucks. Nissan said it is developing autonomous drive technolo- gies to lower the element of human error while driving, which should contribute to a reduction in the number of crashes and injuries related to automobiles. In addition, Nissan said the deal with Hitachi is merely the fi rst, with the automaker planning to license AVM and MOD technology to other industries beyond the automotive sector. Nissan provided a video to explain how Hitachi plans to use technologies originally developed for cars on massive construction equipment. Be sure to scope out the fl ippin' SWEET Nissan Elgrand at the beginning. We know it as the Nissan Quest, but the front clip we get is downright boring compared to the angular face of the Elgrand. www.technologytell.com/in-car-tech, Lyndon Johnson, December 18, 2014 For operators the most dangerous times are starting, stopping and parking. Hitachi Construction Equipment to Get