Cisco’s Wireless Tech Helps Safely Remove Hazardous Waste from Brazil’s Dams

Brazil’s mining industry has long relied on tailings dams—massive containment structures holding mining byproducts. However, poorly constructed dams have led to catastrophic collapses, most notably in Mariana (2015) and Brumadinho (2019), which caused hundreds of deaths and severe environmental damage. Now, the country is racing to safely decommission these unstable dams, but traditional methods pose extreme risks to workers.

Since the terrain is unstable, traditional on-site operations would be too dangerous. Instead, operators work from a central command center, viewing real-time camera feeds and sensor data to control bulldozers and excavators remotely.

The challenge was ensuring ultra-low latency (<10ms) and seamless connectivity, as even a half-second delay in video transmission could lead to accidents. Cisco URWB provides instant response times, allowing operators to steer equipment as if they were physically inside the vehicle.

Enter Cisco’s Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB), a cutting-edge networking technology that enables the safe remote operation of heavy machinery in hazardous environments.

A Brazilian engineering firm is using remotely controlled heavy machinery to remove hazardous mining byproducts without putting workers at risk. Since the terrain is unstable, traditional on-site operations would be too dangerous. Instead, operators work from a central command center, viewing real-time camera feeds and sensor data to control bulldozers and excavators remotely. 

The Solution: Remote-Controlled Heavy Machinery

Aterpa, a Brazilian engineering firm, is using bulldozers and excavators controlled from a command center rather than putting human operators inside the vehicles. This approach eliminates the risk of landslides and structural failures that could harm workers.

But this shift requires instantaneous communication between operators and machinery. A split-second delay could lead to misalignment, accidents, or inefficiencies in handling debris. This is where Cisco’s URWB comes in.

How Cisco’s URWB Works

URWB is designed for high-speed, low-latency communication, ensuring that remote-controlled equipment responds in real time. Here’s how it achieves this:

• Ultra-Low Latency (< 10ms) Unlike standard wireless networks, URWB ensures near-instantaneous data transmission, allowing operators to steer equipment with precision.
• Seamless Connectivity Across Harsh Terrain: Traditional networks struggle in remote, unstable areas, but URWB delivers consistent signal strength, ensuring uninterrupted control.
• High-Bandwidth for Video Feeds: Operators rely on live-streamed camera feeds to navigate machinery remotely. URWB supports high-resolution video transmission without lag.
• Industrial-Grade Reliability: Unlike Wi-Fi or public cellular networks, URWB is built to withstand extreme environmental conditions, ensuring dependable communication in disaster zones.

Why Not Use Wi-Fi or 5G?

Wi-Fi 6E, while offering improved speed over previous generations, is not designed for industrial automation. Its range is shorter, and it struggles with interference in outdoor environments. Public 5G networks offer broad coverage but lack the ultra-low latency necessary for instant remote control. Cisco’s URWB fills this gap by combining the real-time responsiveness of fiber networks with the flexibility of wireless technology.

Beyond Brazil: Other Applications of URWB

Cisco’s URWB is not just revolutionizing mining cleanup. It’s already being deployed in:

• Autonomous Vehicles & Robotics: Supporting real-time control in factories and ports.
• Railway Safety: Enabling automatic train control for improved efficiency and accident prevention.
• Smart Cities & Security: Powering AI-driven surveillance for traffic monitoring and emergency response.

Final Thoughts

By enabling safe, remote mining cleanup, Cisco’s URWB is proving that wireless technology isn’t just about convenience—it can save lives. As industries continue to adopt AI-powered automation, high-speed wireless networks like URWB will play a crucial role in shaping the future of industrial safety and efficiency.

Would you like more technical details on Cisco’s URWB architecture or a comparison with private 5G?