NIT Warangal develops virtual reality software for mining industry

WARANGAL: A virtual reality software has been developed at the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, to help reduce untoward incidents in the mining industry.
Cusmat Technologies Pvt Ltd, a start-up that has emerged from the know-how gathered at the Centre for Innovation and Incubation, NIT, has created the software. Former students Soumya Ranjan Harichandan and Anirban Chakraborty are the minds behind the start-up.
The software is already being used by MOIL India Ltd, Nagpur, which is associated with the Ministry of Mines.Besides, the projects being already worked upon, three more projects worth Rs 1 crore will be sanctioned soon by the Centre for similar work.
The software is being used as a simulator to train operators to prevent accidents on conveyor belts, lifts used in mines, excavations, loading and unloading processes, among other things.
Prof L Anjaneyulu, who heads the Centre for Innovation and Incubation, is the chief investigator for this project. Speaking to TOI, he said, "At the mines, men and material have to be transported by lift. Often if the operator who is overseeing lift movement is not well trained, accidents can occur. This software allows the operator to be trained through simulation. They are given training in use of winder which moves the lift up and down."
Ranjan, who is the CEO of the start-up, said, "The software was used last year in Chennai. The company which utilized our services reported a 40% decline in accidents. There is huge demand for such a software from the mining sector."