Nasdaq-listed measurement technology company Hexagon has announced the global launch of its next-generation Vehicle Intervention System (VIS), which it claims is an advanced safety solution designed to help surface mining operations prevent collisions before they occur.

The new system represents the latest evolution of Hexagon’s proven VIS platform, extending autonomous intervention capabilities and expanding protection across critical mining scenarios.

As an Earthmoving Equipment Safety Round Table Level 9 vehicle intervention system, VIS can automatically take control of a machine in defined high-risk situations when safety thresholds are breached, helping to prevent incidents, protect personnel, and support operational continuity.

The launch follows the system's successful completion of the University of Pretoria's independent Technology Readiness Level 4 validation programme, making it the first openpit Level 9 solution to achieve this milestone.

Built on Hexagon's Collision Avoidance System and integrated safety portfolio, VIS provides a final layer of protection when advisory controls alone are insufficient. The system can automatically inhibit propulsion, apply retardation or braking, enforce safe following distances, manage overspeed conditions, including on ramps, and bring a vehicle to a safe state if a critical system fault is detected.

Its key capabilities include collision prevention, which comprises autonomously intervening to help prevent vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-person, and vehicle-to-obstacle collisions; rule enforcement; safer operation support by enforcing speed limits and following-distance requirements; and fail-safe protection through continuous monitoring of system health and placing vehicles in a safe state if a critical fault is detected.

Notably, the system supports a broad range of vehicle types and manufacturers without original equipment manufacturer lock-in.

“Surface mining operators continue to face complex safety challenges in dynamic environments where visibility, fatigue, environmental conditions, and human factors can contribute to risk.

“When milliseconds matter, mines need technology that can act decisively. The next generation of VIS builds on years of operational experience and proven deployments to provide the highest level of intervention available, helping customers protect people, equipment, and productivity," says Hexagon mining president Dave Goddard.

VIS has been deployed in production environments since 2018 and has supported mining operations across four continents. The next-generation platform builds on that operational foundation while expanding intervention coverage and improving system precision to address evolving industry requirements.

The launch forms part of Hexagon's broader safety portfolio, which combines collision avoidance, vehicle intervention, advanced four-dimensional radar sensing, operator awareness, and safety analytics.

Together, these technologies help mines improve hazard detection in challenging conditions, prevent incidents, protect people, and support operational continuity on the journey towards zero harm.