Hello Theodora, welcome to our show. Firstly, we are glad to know that Canaria Technologies has partnered with Rio Tinto globally to roll out its ground-breaking predictive biometric technology as part of an international pilot program.
1. So, what new prospects do this joint venture is expected to bring for Canaria?
Our partnership with Rio Tinto has set a new benchmark for safety in resources around the world. Not only will it allow us to test multiple locations based on different climates, but also encourages the adoption of technology for other companies in mining and resources. Typically, mining companies continue to get caught up in the innovation excitement bandwagon without defining a clear strategy, vision, and roadmap. With this agreement, we have the perfect opportunity to ensure our technology can be deployed and assist across the entire mining supply chain, offering safety enhancements that may never have been offered previously.
2. In your opinion, how well do safety and technology perform together in life-threatening situations?
Technology is the perfect partner for safety. In normal or life-threatening situations, direct analysis of a worker’s physiology and their immediate environment provide insights that no previous generation of technology could offer. Technology has evolved quickly in the past decade and safety measures have lagged behind. That’s where Canaria Technologies is filling the gap, bringing the latest algorithms in biometric signal processing and environmental analysis to the heavy industries like nothing ever seen before. When life-threatening situations arise due to common issues like cognitive fatigue or heat stress, the old ‘safety technologies’ of handrails and generic work-rest ratios cannot cover everyone in a diverse workforce, leaving us in a really great position to pave the way for safety and technology.
3. Could you please shed some light on the recent innovations that have advanced the subject of predictive biometrics in the last few years?
That’s actually a really good question. The exciting thing about Canaria is that we are essentially paving the way for predictive biometrics. We are working towards proactive solutions whereas other companies are mostly reactive, allowing for the opportunity to eliminate the safety risk altogether.
4. In your opinion, what makes your device “Canaria-V” so optimum?
Canaria utilizes what is known as Transmissive pulse-plethysmography or PPG, which is the technology currently used in intensive care units to monitor patients’ vital signs. The approach applies multiple light spectrums (Infrared, Red, and Green) shone through the skin to a photosensor on the other side of an appendage (such as a finger or earlobe). This allows for minimal light interference which is what enables greater accuracy. This method increases fidelity in the data collected because different light spectrums are absorbed by the skin in different ways. For example – the current technology used in smartwatches sits around 27% inaccuracy whereas the Canaria-V is less than 1% inaccurate and works on all skin tones.
5. Lastly, our viewers would like to know how far the mining industry has come in terms of advancement in technologies. And how do you envision the future of such advancements?
The future is exciting for mining, especially considering the adoption rate of enhanced technology across the sector. Although mining has been lagging through previous years, the anticipation our technology is bringing to resources feels like a complete shift in the thought process around both technology and safety. To advance resources and mining, a holistic approach needs to be considered, focusing on sustainable and socially responsible solutions. We are really excited to be a part of the journey that’s allowing mining to become safer and more technologically advanced.