Powering Autonomous Mining with Rugged Edge AI

The global mining industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, driven by the adoption of autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and edge computing to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Harsh and unpredictable environments such as open‑pit mines demand rugged computing solutions capable of real‑time AI inference for obstacle detection, navigation, and predictive maintenance. Traditional IT hardware often struggles to perform reliably under extreme temperatures, constant vibration, and dust exposure. To address these challenges, a leading autonomous vehicle operator in the mining sector sought a high-performance, industrial-grade server platform that could seamlessly integrate AI acceleration, ensure operational stability, and support mission-critical workloads in demanding conditions.

The client required a robust edge server platform designed to handle the unique demands of autonomous mining vehicles. Key requirements included:

• Extreme environmental resilience: Reliable operation under wide temperature ranges and constant exposure to dust and debris.
• Vibration and shock resistance: Stability against continuous vehicle movement and sudden impacts, meeting industrial standards of vibration and shock.
• High‑throughput AI processing: Capability to run multiple deep learning models for object detection, terrain analysis, and safety monitoring in real time.
• Scalable expansion: Support for multiple PCIe Gen 5 accelerators to ensure computing flexibility for future AI workloads
• Advanced connectivity and management: High‑bandwidth networking with remote management for reliable fleet‑wide control and data synchronization.

To meet these stringent requirements, the client adopted a solution combining the Advantech ASMB-831 server board with the HPC-7420 4U rackmount chassis, delivering the ruggedness and computing power necessary for mission-critical autonomous operations.

ASMB-831 Server Board: Powered by AMD® EPYC™ 9005/9004 series processors, the board supports up to six DDR5 RDIMM slots (576 GB) for high-speed memory performance. Its five PCIe Gen 5 x16 slots and dual 10 GbE Intel® X710-AT2 ports enable integration of multiple AI accelerators and rapid data transfer. With built-in IPMI, it allows remote diagnostics, monitoring, and power management across fleets deployed in remote mining sites.

HPC-7420 Industrial Chassis (Customized): Based on a rugged short-depth 4U enclosure, the chassis was custom-engineered to meet the client’s specific operational needs. It was upgraded to withstand 2 Grms vibration and 10 G shock, ensuring stability during heavy vehicle movement in rough mining terrain. Additionally, the chassis was equipped with a custom 24 V 2000 W DC power supply to integrate seamlessly with the autonomous vehicle’s onboard power system. Reinforced structural design, filtered airflow, and hot-swappable drive bays ensure serviceability without downtime, while its wide-temperature tolerance guarantees reliable operation in varying climates typical of mining environments Together, the ASMB-831 and the customized HPC-7420 deliver a future-ready AI edge computing platform, enabling autonomous mining vehicles to perform real-time decision-making while maintaining operational safety and efficiency in one of the most demanding industrial sectors.

Learn More: Building AOI Technology to Accelerate Yield in Precision Manufacturing

• Reliable edge performance in mission-critical environments: Ensured continuous AI inference and data processing in extreme heat, cold, dust, and vibration.
• Scalable AI computing power: Flexible PCIe Gen 5 expansion supported advanced GPU/FPGA cards for evolving AI workloads and real-time analytics.
• Reduced downtime and simplified maintenance: Front-access hot-swappable storage and robust chassis design improved serviceability in remote deployments.
• High-speed communication: 10GbE ports enabled efficient data transmission from edge to central control systems.
• Remote fleet management: Built-in IPMI allowed centralized monitoring and control of distributed systems across mining sites.

Advantech was selected for its ability to deliver ruggedized, high-performance industrial computing platforms tailored for AI at the edge. The HPC-7420+ASMB-831 offered a powerful blend of:

• Proven reliability in harsh conditions, meeting industrial-grade shock, vibration, and wide-temperature standards. 
• Cutting-edge compute architecture, with support for AMD EPYC 9005/9004 CPUs and Gen 5 PCIe AI accelerators. 
• System integrability and manageability, with IPMI for remote operation and highly configurable I/O. 
• Global support and industrial expertise, ensuring long-term product availability and fast response to project requirements.

Advantech’s deep domain knowledge and comprehensive product ecosystem made it a trusted technology partner for deploying intelligent edge solutions in the evolving landscape of autonomous mining.