Object-detection system aimed to eliminate collision accidents

Preco Electronics unveiled PreView Sentry, the company’s newest object-detection system at MINExpo International 2016.

“We have spent the last 17 years developing radar-based object-detection systems,” says Jim Bean, CEO and president at Preco, in a company statement. “Sentry represents the next generation of collision mitigation technology. We built Sentry with an eye to the future, anticipating applications such as vehicle automation, sensor fusion and system integrations, including telematics and data logging.”

According to Preco, Sentry has a fully adjustable detection zone, with the ability to detect objects from the face of the radar up to 98 ft. The width of the detection zone is adjustable to fit almost all vehicle types, the company adds.

Sentry accurately identifies the location and velocity of up to 16 people or objects simultaneously and is designed to withstand harsh environments encountered by heavy-duty equipment, Preco says. Sentry also features built-in fail-safe alerts that notify the operator of radar blockage or communication issues.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, about 75 percent of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment.

“There should be zero tolerance for accidents,” says Matt Wood, vice president of global sales at Preco. “All collision accidents are preventable.”

The use of object-detection systems in on-road vehicles has contributed to increased use of the systems in the mining industry, Wood adds.

“The automotive industry now has sensors that are tied into the vehicle,” Wood says. “That has helped to spread awareness of the value of this technology. It’s helped with the adoption of the tool.”

Preco offers mitigation solutions for heavy-duty equipment industries. Established in 1947, the company has been providing safety solutions to heavy-duty industries for almost 70 years.