1 Safe Operation of Remote Controlled Equipment 2

A Brief History of Remote Control 
Remote controls are thought to have made their first appearances in Ontario mines in the 1970s 
to operate diesel-powered load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicles. The reasons for using the new 
technology were to increase operator safety 
and improve production efficiency. 
Early units used radio controllers transmitting 
coded messages on a carrier frequency. The 
radio frequencies of the sending and receiving 
units had to match. The receivers connected 
with a machine’s electric, hydraulic and 
pneumatic systems to control functions such 
as steering, braking and load handling. 
Today, most systems still rely on radio to 
carry digital control information although 
some applications such as drills, cranes and 
rock-breakers may use remote controllers 
linked electrically, pneumatically or 
hydraulically. 
In some remote applications beyond the range 
of line-of-sight, video cameras may be 
required for the operator to see what the 
machine is doing and how it is responding to 
his control inputs. 
Current research includes the use of sensors 
and cameras mounted on a piece of equipment 
which would record and transfer information 
to a remote workstation in another area. The 
operator would be provided with the 
equipment’s systems information (speed, 
temperature, etc.) in addition to the 
equipment’s position and orientation 
(direction, tilting, inclines and declines, etc.).
This new style of workstation complete with 
control software will support 3D cameras, in 
addition to pitch, yaw and roll sensors, as well 
as actuators for the entire machine. Built-in mechanisms for force feedback on acceleration, 
braking and the bucket operation will enhance the ability of an operator to work at a distance.

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