A big data solution has been named the winner of the Mine.D: Zero Harm hackathon, hosted by the Johannesburg-based Tshimologong Precinct and the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS).
Disrupt Africa reported last month the newly-opened Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct had partnered RIIS to the three-day hackathon, focused on Mixed Reality (MR) and Internet of Things (IoT) within the health and safety space of the mining sector.
The challenge was won by SystemDex, which simplified big data into a mixed reality interface with an added feature of monitoring the health vitals of miners. By using a low-cost sensor system, they are able to track health and environmental management in real time.
Second place went to SixUp, which tackled rock seismic activity with a preventative warning system, while third place we awarded to Looksee.do, which solved health and safety training challenges through an affordable mixed reality method.
Prizes included membership of the Tshimologong Precinct, mentoring from Mixed Reality and IoT experts, and an introduction to the innovation and technology divisions at South African mining companies.
Lesley Williamson, chief executive officer (CEO) of Tshimologong Precinct, said the top three entries were inspiring and very relevant to the health and safety of the mining environment.
“I was impressed by the depth of knowledge and skill of the entrants. As we hoped, the results address very real issues and concerns within the mining environment and all utilise technology in innovative ways,” she said.
Davis Cook, CEO of RIIS, said Mine.D was an “outright success”.
“Our aim was to use technology to address current issues and this was achieved. The teams developed some exceptional work and we are very happy with the outcome and potential of this type of hackathon,” he said.
