It provides an automated solution to the problem of positioning and location in underground mines.
[2] As Inco uses the term, HORTA stands for Honeywell Ore Retrieval and Tunneling Aid.
It takes the truck 120 minutes to survey a 1.6-km-long drift, recording 1,500 points every 60 cm.
This compares with a manual survey of the same distance that takes 180 hours, and records only five points every 6 m. Added benefits from such a detailed survey would be to allow engineers to design more effective ventilation systems, or to regularly check ground stability.
"[1] HORTA units may be fitted onto all mobile underground equipment, including drills,[1] so their position may be determined with acceptable engineering accuracy.