March 2026

Cohda Wireless, a leader in V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology, and Spectrum FiftyNine, a pioneer in compact V2X module hardware, have announced a ground-breaking collaboration to enhance safety and productivity in underground mining environments. The innovative collaboration provides unmatched proximity awareness between mining personnel and vehicles, reducing risk and optimizing operations in challenging, confined spaces.

The technology has already seen its first deployment at Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia’s Umnugovi province, which is one of the world’s largest copper and gold deposits. This deployment resulted from a collaborative partnership between Maptek, Cohda, and Roobuck that laid the foundation for Maptek’s next-generation proximity awareness system, VisionV2X™. At this site, up to 2,500 mine personnel benefit from advanced safety features. Cohda Wireless and Spectrum FiftyNine believe that their technical collaboration as part of VisionV2X™ has delivered cutting-edge V2X capabilities that sets a new industry benchmark for proximity awareness in underground mines.

Maptek’s VisionV2X™ solution is now available to underground mines globally. Leveraging the V2X technology advances stemming from the Spectrum FiftyNine and Cohda Wireless collaboration, the system provides real-time vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-personnel proximity detection to help prevent interactions between mobile equipment and personnel in low-visibility environments

Cohda Wireless’s V2X technology, already implemented in over 60% of connected vehicle trials globally, is also well established in the mining sector. Spectrum FiftyNine, headquartered in the Netherlands, brings expertise in compact V2X module hardware designed for controlled environments.

The V2X technology is designed to integrate seamlessly into Roobuck’s mining cap lamps or belt tags, providing vehicles with real-time awareness of miners nearby. Cohda Wireless’s advanced proximity detection technology allows vehicle operators to detect personnel, equipped with Spectrum FiftyNine’s smartTag device, and other vehicles, at extended ranges—even around blind corners where line of sight is blocked.

The technology operates effectively without reliance on GNSS, making it uniquely suited for underground applications.

The Spectrum FiftyNine smartTag, a compact, low-power device integrated into miners’ cap lamps, offers cost-effective, precise 802.11p V2P (vehicle-to-person) detection accuracy within three meters. The smartTag incorporates Cohda’s specialized mining firmware and works in tandem with Cohda’s MK5 hardware units installed on mining vehicles, providing seamless, reliable communications and ranging. In addition, the smartTag can alert wearers to the presence of nearby mining vehicles through a series of light flashes, further enhancing safety.

Through this technical collaboration, Cohda Wireless and Spectrum FiftyNine are advancing V2X technology and working with Maptek to provide robust and reliable solutions for proximity awareness that is expected to significantly reduce accidents and improve the operational safety of underground mines globally.

Russell Kennett, Manager Underground Technology at Oyu Tolgoi, said:

“At Rio Tinto, the safety and wellbeing of our people is always our top priority. We’re proud to support the deployment of cutting-edge technology that enhances situational awareness in challenging underground environments. The Cohda Wireless and Spectrum FiftyNine V2X technology, integrated into Maptek’s VisionV2X™ proximity awareness solution and delivered in collaboration with Maptek and Roobuck at Oyu Tolgoi, demonstrates how innovation from the automotive industry can directly contribute to a safer and more efficient mining operation.”.

Cohda CEO Dr. Paul Gray said that the application of connected, intelligent transport solutions in the mining sector can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death whilst also helping to drive productivity gains.

“Globally, there is increasing appetite for the widespread introduction of technology to reduce vehicle-related accidents, and we are delighted to be deploying this technology in a very large and prominent mine site as Oyu Tolgoi,” explained Dr. Gray.

“Given the nature of underground mining environments where large, powerful vehicles operate, often in very close proximity to mine personnel, the potential for injury and death from incidents is substantial. The technology we have developed with Spectrum FiftyNine is designed for personnel safety applications to be active in underground mine sites”, added Dr. Gray.

Martijn Broens, CEO and Founder of Spectrum FiftyNine said:

“When we developed our first V2X module for aftermarket applications, our focus was on minimizing complexity and enhancing RF performance. Through our collaboration with Cohda, we expanded into new sectors such as agriculture, warehousing, infrastructure, logistics, and mining—industries where safety is paramount,” explained Mr. Broens.

“By miniaturizing our smartTag, we integrated it into mining cap lamps, creating a specialized solution for personal protective equipment. Despite its compact size and low power requirements, the smartTag maintains exceptional reliability.”

Eduardo Coloma, Maptek Global CEO said:
“Maptek VisionV2X™ reflects our belief that the best outcomes in mine safety come from collaboration. By working closely with Cohda and Roobuck, we’ve brought together complementary expertise to deliver a more connected and practical proximity awareness solution for underground operations.”

ENDS

ABOUT COHDA WIRELESS

Cohda Wireless, a Danlaw Company, is a global leader in the development of Connected Vehicles and Connected Autonomous Vehicle software with proven applications for Smart City, Mining and other environments. Cohda’s technology connects vehicles with infrastructure and pedestrians to make our streets, cities and working environments safer, smarter and greener. Cohda is headquartered in Australia and has offices in Europe, China and the USA.

Cohda Wireless’s innovative software solutions enable autonomous vehicles to connect with other vehicles and with Smart City infrastructure. These connections span Vehicle¬to¬Vehicle, Vehicle¬to¬Infrastructure, and Vehicle¬to-Pedestrian (collectively called V2X), and allow CAVs to ‘talk’ to each other, Smart Cities, and vulnerable road users in order to avoid accidents, reduce congestion and be more efficient. Cohda partners with Tier 1 Automotive Suppliers, ITS Equipment Vendors, and Mining Equipment Technology and Services (METS) vendors to provide complete hardware/software solutions to Car Makers, Smart Cities, and Mine Operators, respectively. Cohda’s products are used widely in locations including the USA, Europe, Australia, India, Japan, Africa, Middle East, China, Singapore and Korea.

ABOUT SPECTRUM FIFTYNINE:

Spectrum FiftyNine is a privately owned V2X module maker specialized in design and validation based in the Netherlands. Our product portfolio includes five core offerings: the smartModule, smartTag, smartAntenna, smartOBU, and our newly launched smartVRU module, the successor to our smartTag, targeted for two-wheelers and road works warning (RWW) equipment. Each product is designed to serve multiple industries, including public safety, mining, ports, warehouses, airports, and logistics. The smartTag and/or smartVRU, combined with e.g. our smartModule, smartAntennas and/or smartOBU are game-changers in the V2X landscape.

 

ABOUT MAPTEK:

Maptek believes that to make mining more efficient, miners should be enabled to make better decisions through integrated decision-making solutions.

This integration is particularly important as it enables our customers to turn data into actionable insights at every stage of the mining life cycle.

In this way Maptek will change the way mining is done forever.

 

ABOUT ROOBUCK:

Roobuck is an Australian-owned METS company specializing in IECEx-certified cap lamps, safety lighting, and Mine IoT solutions. With over 20 years of experience, we provide real-time visibility and enhanced safety for underground and surface operations. Based in Sydney, we pioneered Australia’s first cordless cap lamp and were the first globally to achieve IECEx certification for this innovative technology.

All media enquiries can be directed to:

Grant Law

Grant Law Public Relations

+61 488 518 414 / grant@grantlaw.com.au