1. Product Positioning
The PDS Technology rugged 8-inch mining vehicle-mounted computer (T8 and T8Pro) is the core vehicle-mounted human-machine interface terminal for intelligent dispatch systems in open-pit mines. It is specifically designed to complement open-pit mine truck dispatch platforms, serving as an integrated hardware carrier for “dispatch command interaction, vehicle safety perception, multi-device data acquisition, and mine area communication transmission”.
PDS mining vehicle terminal is compatible with all types of open-pit mine transport trucks, electric shovels, and drilling rigs, connecting the mine dispatch center's backend software with mobile operating equipment in the mine area. It addresses four major industry pain points: chaotic traditional manual dispatching, lack of transportation safety control, inability to collect vehicle data in real time, and data loss in signal blind spots. It provides mine system integrators and mining enterprises with a stable and practical dispatch vehicle computer solution.
2. Target Buyers
1. Mining Intelligent System Integrator: Provider of intelligent truck scheduling platforms for open-pit mines and mining safety and environmental protection management systems.
2. Mining equipment supply chain supplier: Manufacturers of vehicle-mounted terminals for mining trucks and open-pit mining equipment
3. Large-scale open-pit mining enterprises: Contractors for intelligent transformation and upgrading projects at coal, non-ferrous metals, gold, and building materials open-pit mines
4.Mining dispatching and autonomous driving software manufacturers: Software companies that provide mining operations with vehicle dispatching algorithms, AHS unmanned transportation systems, and autonomous driving solutions require reliable in-vehicle hardware platforms to deploy and operate their core software, enabling deep integration between algorithms and hardware.
3. Core pain points in the traditional open-pit mining scheduling industry (four major practical challenges)
Pain Point 1:Standard industrial tablets cannot operate continuously over an extended period.
The mining environment is extremely harsh: intense vibrations cause frequent damage to the motherboard, connectors, and screens; large amounts of dust infiltrate the equipment interior; screens become illegible under direct sunlight; the device is subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations ranging from-20°C to 60°C or even beyond; and splashing mud and water corrode the device's components.Standard consumer-grade or commercial tablets—often featuring smartphone-based designs, plastic casings, low-quality connectors, and non-automotive-grade batteries—typically experience screen blackouts, system crashes, or water/dust ingress after just a few months of use, making them unsuitable for continuous, 24/7 operation.
Pain point 2: Aging mining equipment lacks digital interfaces.
A large number of in-service mining trucks—such as the CAT 777, Komatsu HD785, and domestically produced large-capacity mining trucks—exhibit good mechanical performance; however, their age exceeds 10 years, and they originally lack GPS positioning, data acquisition, video surveillance, and remote communication capabilities. These vehicles cannot be integrated into modern dispatch systems, effectively becoming "information silos" for intelligent transformation initiatives; even when additional peripherals are installed, integration remains challenging due to protocol incompatibility.
Pain point 3: Mine managers are unaware of the real-time status of their vehicles.
In the past, dispatchers relied entirely on walkie-talkies, telephones, and manual reporting systems for command and control; they were unable to monitor the precise location of each vehicle in real time—whether it was empty, speeding, waiting for loading or unloading, or experiencing an abnormal stoppage. Transport capacity allocation was based on experience; there were significant errors in loading and material blending processes; incident response was delayed; and production statistics were heavily dependent on manual ledger records—resulting in low efficiency and distorted data.
Pain Point 4: Unmanned mining vehicles and autonomous driving systems require reliable hardware.
Major global mining companies (Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi Construction Machinery) are accelerating the deployment of their AHS (Autonomous Haulage System) unmanned transportation solutions. However, vehicle control software and algorithm providers, autonomous driving startups, and mining system integrators generally lack on-board computing terminals designed for extreme operating conditions.There is a market demand for rugged hardware capable of withstanding vibration, wide-temperature ranges, and dust exposure, while also supporting V2X interoperability and precise positioning – this represents the core opportunity for PDS.
4. Core Functional Advantages of Intelligent Dispatching Products for Open-Pit Mines
4.1 Integrated dispatching human-machine interface, replacing traditional manual intercom systems
The entire system comes pre-installed with an Android client compatible with the open-pit mining dispatching system; the dispatching center can remotely issue transportation tasks, optimal driving routes, ore blending standards, and prohibited blasting zones via the cloud to an 8-inch 1280×800 full-coated high-brightness touchscreen (with brightness ≥750 cd/m² – clearly visible even under strong light). Drivers can intuitively monitor queue waiting times, loading instructions, and unloading locations, eliminating the inaccuracies associated with traditional walkie-talkie voice communication.
The device features built-in high-capacity local storage; when the mining site signal is offline, all scheduling tasks and trip records are fully cached. Upon network restoration, the system automatically resumes transmission from the point of interruption, ensuring that the mining production records remain complete and traceable.
4.2 Integrated DMS Driver Monitoring + V2X Vehicle Safety Recognition Dual Safety System
1. DMS Driver Status Monitoring: The terminal supports the simultaneous connection of up to four 720P AHD cameras; when paired with an in-vehicle driver camera, it enables real-time detection of driver fatigue, drowsiness (closing eyes), making phone calls, or non-compliant driving behaviors. Dual alert mechanisms – via on-screen pop-up notifications and voice alerts – are activated, and all warning records are synchronously uploaded to the Mining Safety and Environmental Protection Platform.
2.V2X-based mine vehicle safety monitoring: An external 360-degree panoramic blind-spot camera, combined with V2X algorithms, automatically detects surrounding mining vehicles, excavators, and personnel obstacles, triggering proactive audio-visual alerts for near-collision risks; integrated with an electronic fence function, the system immediately issues driving restriction alerts when a vehicle enters a slope hazard zone or a blasting warning zone, thereby preventing safety incidents caused by unauthorized boundary crossing. Even in areas with poor 4G signal coverage, V2X enables unmanned mining trucks to automatically form a convoy and avoid collisions.
4.3 Standard 6-PIN handheld microphone intercom system – ensures stable fleet coordination communication
The device features a dedicated 6-pin aviation walkie-talkie interface, enabling direct connection to a compatible handheld microphone (see the actual photo section later in the document), which facilitates real-time walkie-talkie communication within the mining fleet's internal network without the need for an additional standalone radio transmitter; it also supports 2.4GHz dual-band 5G WiFi and 4G full-network compatibility, enabling a dual communication mode that combines short-range wireless networking within the mining area with long-range cloud-based data transmission, ensuring seamless real-time coordination and communication among the operational fleet.The handheld microphone is designed to be rugged and durable, ideal for the noisy environments of mining sites, and can be operated by the driver with just one hand, significantly enhancing the efficiency of dispatching and command transmission.
4.4 Full industrial-grade interface – one-stop compatibility for all mining peripherals
The Universal 23-PIN Extended Aviation Interface integrates single/double CAN, RS485, Ethernet, camera power output, and reverse signal I/O; it can be seamlessly connected to BeiDou/GNSS positioning modules, slope monitoring sensor devices, onboard imaging systems, and mining area communication equipment. A single terminal combines all functions—including dispatching, monitoring, positioning, and intercom—eliminating the need for additional equipment installation and wiring, thereby reducing vehicle retrofitting costs by over 30%.
Both the T8 and T8Pro support optional UM982 centimeter-level RTK high-precision positioning, catering to the comprehensive scheduling requirements of small and medium-sized open-pit mines, large-scale open-pit mines, and unmanned mining trucks across all operational scenarios.
4.5 Automotive-grade robust protection designed for extreme operating conditions in open-pit mining environments
1. Electrical reliability: Wide voltage input range of 9–36 V, strictly compliant with the ISO 7637-II automotive power supply standard, providing protection against voltage surges induced by mine vehicle start/stop operations or high-power equipment; built-in Farad capacitor supports a 10-second power-off delay shutdown feature, preventing loss of dispatch and safety data during sudden power outages.
2. Environmental Protection: The entire machine features an IP66 dust-and water-resistant sealing enclosure that prevents the ingress of mining dust, rainwater, or mud; its operating temperature range covers-20°C to +70°C, ensuring stable performance in both northern mining areas with frozen soil layers during winter and southern open-pit mining sites exposed to high-temperature, sun-exposed conditions.
3. Vibration and Impact Resistance: The device has undergone MIL-STD-810 vibration and ISO 16750 impact military-grade testing; therefore, it will not experience screen failure or equipment crashes even under the harsh conditions of mining or excavation sites with severe vibrations.
4.Outdoor-friendly display: Screen brightness ≥750 cd/m² (same as T8Pro); visible even under bright lighting; upon power-off, the screen dims gradually rather than turning completely black, extending the device's lifespan.
5. T8 vs. T8Pro Product Specifications Comparison Table
|
Parameters |
T8 |
T8Pro |
|
Processor |
Quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1.5 GHz (AEC-Q100 automotive-grade certification) |
Octa-core Qualcomm QCM6125 @ up to 2.0 GHz |
|
Memory & Storage |
4 GB RAM + 64 GB eMMC |
4GB/8GB LPDDR4 + 64GB/128GB eMMC |
|
Operating System |
Android 10 |
Android 11 / Android 13 （optional） |
|
Display |
8-inch 1280×800 IPS, ≥750cd/m² fully laminated multi-touch |
Same as T8 – new DP port supports dual-screen display |
|
Positioning Module |
Optional UM982 RTK centimeter-level high-precision positioning |
Optional UM982 RTK centimeter-level high-precision positioning |
|
Camera Access |
4-channel 720P AHD Synchronous Preview |
4-Channel 720P AHD Synchronous Recording |
|
Communication Capabilities |
2.4G WiFi, BT4.0, Global 4G LTE |
2.4G/5G Dual-Band WiFi, BT5.1, 4G Full Network Compatibility |
|
Core Industrial Interfaces |
Single CAN, RS485, Ethernet, 6-PIN Intercom Port |
Dual CAN, Optional RS232/RS485, DP Display, Multiple IO Inputs |
|
Power Supply Standard |
9–36V Wide Voltage, ISO 7637-II Automotive Standard |
Completely Consistent with T8 |
|
Environmental Performance |
IP66, MIL-STD-810 Vibration Resistance, -20℃~+70℃ Wide Temperature Range |
Protection, Temperature and Shock Standards Same as T8 |
|
Overall Dimensions |
227 mm × 159.5 mm × 48 mm |
Dimensions are compatible with T8, can be directly replaced and installed |
6. Model Selection Guide
|
Model |
Core Advantages |
Suitable for Open-Pit Mine Projects |
Cost Positioning |
|
High cost-effectiveness; comprehensive coverage including basic scheduling, DMS + V2X safety identification, and optional RTK positioning functionality |
Ideal for routine truck scheduling in small-to-medium open-pit mines and for supporting traditional manned mining vehicles |
Entry-level, cost-effective model |
|
|
High-performance octa-core processor, dual CAN bus, DMS+V2X safety recognition system, handheld intercom, optional RTK centimeter-level positioning, extensive memory expansion, dual-screen output |
Ideal for large-scale open-pit mining operations, unmanned mining truck fleets, high-precision terrain-based dispatching, and high-concurrency data acquisition scenarios |
Mid-to-high-end high-performance model |
7. Deployment Cost Optimization and Risk Solutions
Overall Cost Optimization Solution: This solution integrates the dispatch display screen, driver monitoring host, intercom radio, positioning gateway, and vehicle data acquisition terminal into a single unit, eliminating the need for traditional multi-device separate modification solutions. This reduces overall costs for hardware procurement, vehicle wiring, and manual modification by over 25%. An open, standardized Android SDK allows mine dispatch software vendors to quickly integrate and perform secondary development, significantly shortening the project integration and delivery cycle.
Common Risk Response Solutions in Mining Sites:
1. Equipment burnout due to mine truck voltage fluctuations: The entire unit is equipped with ISO7637-II surge protection circuitry, 9-36V wide-range adaptive power supply, compatible with all heavy-duty mining vehicles.
2. Data loss due to network absence in deep mining areas: Local large-capacity storage caches all dispatch, alarm, and vehicle operation data; automatic retransmission to the cloud upon network recovery.
3. Incompatibility with multiple brand sensor/dispatch systems: Standard CAN/RS485/Ethernet industrial universal protocols, supporting OEM customized pin adaptation for third-party devices.
4. Frequent system crashes due to strong sunlight and extreme temperatures: High-brightness outdoor viewing screen + integrated metal heat dissipation, military-grade vibration-resistant, dustproof, and waterproof casing.
8. OEM/ODM Customized Support Services
1. Hardware Customization: Customization of logo and model number printing on the device body, adjustment of 23-pin interface pin definitions as needed, customization of explosion-proof housing, adaptation of walkie-talkie/antenna harness specifications, and customization of accessory packages;
2. Software Customization: Customization of boot-up interface, tailoring of Android system functions, pre-installation of mine dispatch client, and optimization of power-off delay and screen-off logic;
3. Project-Specific Services: One-on-one technical engineer support, pre-production sample compatibility testing, dedicated packaging for mine projects, and priority production scheduling for bulk orders.
9. Long-Term Mine Cooperation Achievements
With years of deep cultivation in the domestic open-pit mine intelligentization sector, PDS has established stable and long-term cooperative relationships with many large-scale coal and non-ferrous metal open-pit mines in China. Its T8 and T8Pro 8-inch mine vehicle-mounted terminals have been deployed in batches for various mine dispatching and transformation projects, with cumulative shipments exceeding 5,000 units.
The terminal is widely integrated with mainstream open-pit mine intelligent dispatching platforms, adaptable to intelligent upgrade scenarios in large open-pit mines with a capacity of tens of millions of tons, and small and medium-sized sand and gravel/building material mines. The equipment is stably adapted to 24-hour continuous operation in mining areas, with projects implemented in over twenty provinces across China.Leveraging its unified RTK high-precision positioning capabilities, complete vehicle-mounted safety monitoring functions, and robust industrial protection performance, it has secured long-term repeat purchases from mining integrators and mining companies.
For large-scale mining area batch transformation projects, we can provide a full range of services including standardized complete unit support, software and hardware compatibility, and on-site technical debugging. We also support customized development for specific projects, meeting the personalized integration needs of different mining area dispatching systems and safety monitoring platforms.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (10 core questions about mine dispatching)
1. Can PDS vehicle-mounted terminal be used continuously in open-pit mines with high dust and rain conditions?
Yes, the entire unit has an IP66 dustproof and waterproof sealing rating, fully adaptable to the dusty, muddy, and rainy conditions of open-pit mining.
2.Does the T8 model support RTK high-precision positioning?
Yes, both the T8 and T8Pro models can be equipped with the UM982 module for centimeter-level RTK positioning.
3. Can the device interface with mainstream open-pit mine truck dispatching systems?
Yes, it supports open Android SDK and standard CAN and Ethernet industrial protocols, allowing it to interface with most mine dispatching and management software.
4. Are DMS driver monitoring and V2X obstacle recognition functions standard across the entire series?
All models come standard with 4-channel 720P camera input interfaces, allowing direct connection of external cameras to enable DMS and V2X safety recognition functions.
5. How do I connect the included handheld walkie-talkie microphone to the device?
The device has a dedicated 6-pin aviation walkie-talkie interface, allowing direct connection of the included handheld microphone for real-time voice communication within the fleet.
6. Can the device read mine truck CAN bus load, fuel consumption, and fault data?
Both the T8 single CAN and T8Pro dual CAN buses can collect vehicle ADAS dynamic data, with automatic pop-up warnings for anomalies.
7. Which model is recommended for large-scale open-pit unmanned mining truck projects?
We recommend the T8Pro, featuring an octa-core high-performance processor, dual CAN buses, and optional RTK high-precision positioning, adaptable to the high data processing requirements of unmanned transportation.
8. Can you customize the equipment's logo and pre-install our scheduling software?
Full-process OEM/ODM customization is supported, including shell silkscreen printing, labels, pre-installed system software, and function tailoring.
9. Will unstable voltage during mine truck start-up and shutdown cause data loss when the equipment shuts down?
Compliant with ISO7637-II vehicle power supply standards, wide voltage surge resistant, and built-in supercapacitors support a 10-second delay shutdown to prevent data loss during power outages.
10.When there is no 4G signal in the mining area, will the dispatch records and safety alarm data be lost?
Equipped with built-in high-capacity local storage that caches all data offline; upon network restoration, the data is automatically uploaded to the cloud platform.
11.Why choose PDS Technology products? What are the advantages over Advantech, Winmate, and Getac?
• Advantech: Possesses extensive experience in industrial computing solutions, but suffers from high costs, limited customization flexibility, and inadequate support for specialized mining interfaces (e.g., 6-PIN intercom, multi-channel CAN);
• Winmate: The automotive tablet is durable, but its price is relatively high; the response time for domestic projects is long, and the cost of non-standard customization is high;
• Getac: Military-grade quality, but the price is extremely high – exceeding the budget of most mining projects – and the delivery lead time is unstable;
PDS Core Advantages: ① Outstanding cost-effectiveness – With equivalent protection and functionality, the total cost is more than 30% lower than that of competing brands; ② Deep customization – Supports full hardware and software OEM/ODM services – from screen printing and interface definition to system customization – enabling rapid response to specific project requirements; ③ Practical validation – Over 5,000 units have been operating reliably across various open-pit mines with a failure rate below 1%;
12.Can the device screen display content clearly under strong outdoor light?
Absolutely. The entire PDS T8 and T8Pro series comes standard with an 8-inch 1280×800 IPS fully laminated high-brightness display, featuring a brightness level of ≥750 cd/m² – far exceeding the industry-standard 450 cd/m² – ensuring clear readability even under intense direct sunlight in open-pit mining environments. This effectively resolves the common outdoor tablet usage pain point of "screen glare or difficulty reading dispatch instructions." Additionally, the full-lamination process effectively reduces glare and reflections, ensuring that drivers can accurately access transportation tasks, navigation routes, and safety alert information under all lighting conditions – whether during dawn, dusk, or midday.
Contact us
📧Email:market@szpds.com
📞Tel:+86 13421822024
🌐Website: www.szpds.com
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for reference only. PDS Technology Co., Ltd. assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or suitability of the content for specific applications. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Buyers should verify all technical details with our team before use.
About PDS Technology
PDS Technology is a leading OEM/ODM manufacturer of high-precision RTK GNSS terminals and vehicle computers, serving agriculture, construction, mining, taxi, and logistics industries since 2011.
With 15+ years of automotive-grade R&D experience, we offer rugged, multi-OS (Android/Linux/OpenHarmony) devices featuring RTK centimeter-level positioning, IP66 protection, and AI-ready performance. Our IATF16949-certified factories have produced over 100,000 units deployed globally, holding 30%+ of China's agricultural auto-steering terminal market.We export to Japan, the US, UK, Turkey, Russia, and beyond.
