Greg Baiden – Pioneer in Industrial Automation

Automation, sometimes also known as the labor-saving technology is the kind of technology which reduces the human assistance in certain procedures. It ranges from a large variety of process, from a household thermostat to the large industry boilers. Industrial automation specifically is the use of control systems. These may include simple computer systems to robots used to handle the different processes and machineries in industries. Industrial Automation has ample benefits, most importantly, it helps increase the quality of services and bring about flexibility in the process.

Pioneering in Industrial Automation, Penguin Automated Systems Inc. (ASI) is a leading research, development and prototyping company providing professional and comprehensive robotic and automation solutions for underground, underwater, in-space and on-surface applications.

The Journey through the Years

Penguin automated systems is a small robotics company specializing in mobile robotics and intelligent systems. Penguin grew out of the mining industry and the research work that Dr Baiden led in a mining company, academically and as an entrepreneur around the robotic mine of the future. Penguin has now been in business for 18 years providing robotic and mobile equipment solutions to the mining industry. This work has expanded over the last 10 years to include underwater, civil construction, agriculture and space.

In this advanced society, people are being open to change and innovation; which was a mammoth of a task a few years back. This has thus rubbed off the challenge of convincing people to try something new. Instead it has given rise to many other challenges, some of them being the quality of the products and everything with it.

The initial challenges Penguin ASI faced included having a networking system that was capable of moving several gigabits per second around the mobile operation for the robots. And, having the ability to locate these mobile machines in a GPS denied environments. In addition, there was a need to solve the issues around large-scale cooperative robotics for achieving tasks in mining and search and rescue.

Besides the technical challenges, the culture of these longstanding industries have proven difficult for the application of teleoperated systems and robotics. People in these industries tend to want to do things by manual means and the thought of an automated system is something that is not in their minds immediately. So selling these kinds of systems to potential customers unless there is a critical need is difficult.

But with sheer dedication, the team made is possible to make success look easy. The two main events that triggered the growth of the company were a large scale recovery operation in a mining setting and the construction of a robot to remove rock blockages in an underground environment. Both these robot systems challenged the typical idea of what a robot was needed for.

The first project, which was of large scale recovery operation in a mining setting helped Penguin ASI to develop the first real industrial cooperative robot system and solved a large industrial problem for our customer.

 The second project too was extremely important. It required the Hang-up Assessment and Removal robot system. This was a total ground up development to solve the problem of people unblocking overhead rock with explosives. An extremely dangerous situation that required a robotic solution. Performing a major project like this was quite satisfying as it generated many 10s of patents for mobile robotics in the world today. This robot was also found potential in other applications such a scanning of civil infrastructure.

“We focus on redefining what is possible and exploring possibilities.”

Exceptional Products and Services-

Penguin ASI has a suite of products that include underwater and free-space optical networking, underground GPS systems and inertial navigation and positioning. The daily operations focus on expanding and inventing new technologies in order to provide its clients with the most advanced and impressive products on the market. The combination of Penguin ASI’s expert knowledge and skilled resources maximizes efficiencies and provides cost-effective solutions.

The company made the decision to create mobile robots that were able to be mathematically controlled in a far more sophisticated fashion then normal robots that are out in the marketplace. These robots combine laser scanning to create engineering drawings for the operator to run the machines using gaming technology. Their unique systems have allowed them to create a unique virtual reality situational awareness for operation of robots in difficult environments.

Penguin ASI is fast-developing as a leading innovator in the field of robotics and automation; providing solutions from concept and design to finished commercial products by applying specialty communications. The software and intelligent systems, unique electronics, tele-autonomy and mobile mechatronics that Penguin ASI produces enables its specialists to provide complete services to meet the mining industry’s expanding range of needs.

Penguin has extensive experience in applying automated systems to mining.  This work includes: