Komatsu sets new benchmark in autonomy

Komatsu has set a new milestone in autonomous transport. Its mining customers have transported more than 3 billion metric tons of materials through its FrontRunner Autonomous Transport System (AHS).

First implemented in 2008 at Codelco's Gabriela Mistral (Gaby) copper mine in Chile, AHS brings together some of the world's best-selling dump Trucks with Modular Mining Systems' DISPATCH fleet management system.

AHS proving grounds image_with 3B tons release

Today's FrontRunner system operates around the clock, transporting copper, iron ore, oil sands and coal at eleven customer sites on three continents. At the end of June 2020, there were 251 Trucks in operation, with plans to deploy another 100 (primarily from the installation of AHS retrofit kits) within fiscal year 2020.

"The continued investment of our mining customers in technology and equipment for the transition to autonomous transport underscores the value the system provides," said Toshio Kurokawa, general manager of the marketing department of Komatsu's Mining Business Division. "We are pleased to have helped our customers save hundreds of millions of dollars, while autonomously moving another billion metric tons of essential minerals with zero damage. We are also honored that autonomous transportation has been a valuable resource in helping our customers mitigate the risks associated with the global covid-19 pandemic," he added.

The FrontRunner system is designed to allow manually operated equipment (such as loaders, Bulldozers, Graders, light Vehicles, etc.) to interact seamlessly in a self-contained Truck environment. Komatsu recently introduced the system's functionality to allow manually operated Trucks to also operate in a self-contained Truck environment. To further support the growth of self-sufficiency in mining for its customers, Komatsu is leading initiatives within ISO to develop interoperability standards between Komatsu and other brands' self-sufficient Vehicles.

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