Many innovations in the mining and construction sectors are either aimed at improving safety or boosting efficiency.
For New South Wales-based tech company SAPHI, both are possible.
Through its flagship offering Shellshock AI, SAPHI provides advanced artificial intelligence and edge computing systems to provide real-time monitoring and predictive analytics for a range of industries, with an ultimate aim of improving safety and efficiency at the same time.
It is currently deployed in mining, construction and heavy industry in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.
On the safety side of things, the Shellshock AI hardware device can monitor a number of parameters, including driver fatigue, seatbelt usage, smoking, phone use and vehicle condition.
“By providing real-time alerts, Shellshock AI helps prevent catastrophic accidents before they occur, safeguarding both operators and the surrounding environment,” SAPHI co-founder Liam Manning told InnovationAus.
For efficiency, the device performs throughput analysis and provides real-time feedback to operators.
In mining, for example, its software can monitor the efficiency of vehicle processes by providing real-time analysis of each scoop of material being loaded into a truck and assessments of the load efficiency of the trucks themselves.
“This dual capability of enhancing safety while optimising operational throughput makes Shellshock AI a comprehensive solution for industries where both aspects are critical,” Mr Manning said.
SAPHI’s Shellshock AI is a finalist in the InnovationAus 2024 Awards for Excellence in the AI Industry Pioneer category. You can secure your tickets to the black-tie event here. The AI Industry Pioneer category is sponsored by the National Artificial Intelligence Centre.
Mr Manning said this nomination is important validation for the work SAPHI is doing.
“Being nominated for this award is a deeply meaningful milestone for us at SAPHI, especially as a bootstrapped company started by three founders from country NSW,” he said.
“This nomination is more than just recognition — it’s proof that our vision and hard work are paying off, showing that we’ve moved from small-town dreams to playing in the big leagues.
“We’ve built our success from the ground up, without outside funding, driven by a commitment to create innovative solutions that genuinely make a difference in the mining, heavy industry and government sectors.”
The genesis of SAPHI began in an effort to improve efficiency in local government. After conducting validation gateways and in-person surveys to identify the most significant problems in local government, the company initially focused on urban mobility and traffic assessments, and began developing its technology.
This offering eventually provided local governments with up-to-date urban mobility data, traffic assessments and the monitoring of infrastructure.
The team later pivoted to manufacturing and mining, and is looking to enter the construction and transport industries too.
For a tier one mining company, Shellshock AI has been used to provide real-time data in extremely remote areas in order to improve safety and optimise transportation routes.
The device is able to provide instant alerts for hazardous conditions and equipment malfunctions, and has led to significant improvements, with a reduction in incidents, improved compliance with safety protocols and reduced fuel costs.
The industrial AI market that SAPHI is operating in is already a huge one, and one that is set to grow rapidly in the coming years. In 2019, the market was valued at just under $15 billion, and it is expected to grow at a rate of more than 30 percent annually to reach $72.5 billion by 2025.
The company has an aim of having 1300 vehicles fitted with Shellshock AI devices over the next five years, which would bring with it a valuation of $100 million, Mr Manning said.
“By focusing on industries where safety and operational efficiency are critical, such as mining, construction and logistics, Shellshock AI is set to make a substantial impact,” he said.
“Our solution not only enhances safety but also optimises operations, making it an essential tool for industries looking to elevate both human and operational performance.”
Over the next 12 months, the company will be focusing on expanding its existing presence across four countries, and on expanding into Canada.
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The InnovationAus 2024 Awards for Excellence are supported by: Australian Computer Society, Investment NSW, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Technology Council of Australia, TechnologyOne, National Artificial Intelligence Centre, CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program, Reason Group, Q-CTRL, University of New South Wales, and IP Australia.
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