The UK’s first artificial intelligence (AI) human detection and emergency autobraking rollers have been deployed as part of Eurovia's International Safety Week.
Launched on a surfacing scheme in Hertfordshire, the company stated that this new fleet marks ‘a significant shift’ towards intelligent plant innovation in surfacing delivery.
The dual-system setup combines AI human detection software from Safety Shield and automatic braking capabilities from BOMAG that means Eurovia can prevent collisions and protect both operatives and the public.
The Safety Shield software operates via sensors that monitor two separate safety zones around the machine: a five-metre caution zone and a two-metre critical zone.
When movement is detected within either zone, the system triggers alerts inside the cab and externally. There is also an additional red ‘Safety Shield halo’ light on the ground that provides users with an immediate visual warning which helps to reduce risks during night work.
BOMAG’s proactive Emergency Brake Assist system detects if a pedestrian or an obstacle is detected in the roller's path, slowing the machine down automatically and halting if necessary. It will then continue at its original pre-defined speed once the person or object has left the critical area.
Eurovia’s teams have praised the new systems, with Justin Willis, site foreman, commenting: ‘It’s the perfect machine, something we should have on every site.’
‘We believe this is the future of plant safety,’ said Paul Kidd, development director at Eurovia. ‘These intelligent rollers are not only innovative, they’re essential.
‘As an industry, we must lead by example. Embracing AI detection & automated emergency braking safety systems isn’t just progressive, it’s the right thing to do.’
