Electronic controls are also used to help improve the operator's working environment. The theory is the safer and more comfortable the operator is the more productive he and therefore, the equipment, are likely to be.
According to Mr Kalliomäki, operator comfort will remain a major area of focus for Sandvik in future. He said the key developments in underground drilling can be seen in the i-series line-up.
"In the development phase, one of the focus points was definitely user-friendliness which means ergonomic operator environment and therefore also improved safety," he added.
He said when drilling and blasting is carried out correctly, the excavation result will be of better quality and safety is improved.
The cab in the new tunnelling jumbos features a +20% larger window surface providing improved visibility in every drilling application. It also has high power xenon lights for drilling and tramming and an operator seat is placed as close to the windshield as possible to further enhance visibility.
A spokesman for the company said, "An ergonomically designed workstation with integrated, sophisticated armrest controls, advanced air filtration and optimised flow together with excellent noise - under 75 db (A) - and vibration control system offer the operator a pleasant and ergonomic working environment."
Meanwhile, noise and oil leakages are "considerably reduced" by using Atlas Copco's SmartRig control system which introduces the concept of a "dry cab", which means there is no hydraulic pipe work and gauges. This is achieved via electrical signals which control the hydraulic valves, the company stated.
It added control gauges and instruments are replaced by a display unit which frees up cab space increasing visibility and therefore improving operator ergonomics.

Perhaps more so now than ever drilling equipment manufacturers are looking at ways to differentiate their products from the competition. Incorporating the latest electronic controls into the machines and therefore increasing overall machine productivity is one way of achieving this.
Mr Bates told iC electronic systems will be needed in futureto develop safe drilling practices.
"Safety measures for rig stability and general operation benefit from the use of advanced sensors and real-time feedback," he said.
He added the company sees a continuing need for real-time data of drilling parameters and ground conditions, including recommended actions to be taken by the operator, based on the data collected. 
"Drilling and driller productivity is always dependent on the conditions of the ground.  The better the ground conditions are understood, the more productive the driller can be," he explained.