Komatsu has become the first company in the mining industry to autonomously operate a power agnostic electric drive haul truck while connected to a dynamic trolley line.
This represents a major step in Komatsu’s ambition to combine electrification and autonomy to help mining customers reduce carbon emissions and enhance productivity.
By connecting haul trucks to an overhead power line during uphill travel, Komatsu’s trolley assist system delivers electric power where it is needed most, improving energy efficiency and enabling trucks to travel faster in comparison to diesel models.
When integrated with the company’s FrontRunner autonomous haulage system, the technology opens new doors for fuel savings and productivity gains.
“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our commitment to improving our integrated technology strategy, combining autonomous haulage with dynamic energy transfer and trolley capabilities,” Komatsu director of global business development autonomous systems Martin Cavassa said.
“The ability to seamlessly transfer power to a moving truck operating without a driver is a pivotal achievement in our roadmap toward decarbonising mining operations and provides the pathway for managing battery operated trucks autonomously.”
This achievement marks the first time in mining history that power has been transferred to a moving, driverless haul truck via a trolley line.
Komatsu first launched FrontRunner in 2008. The system now operates more than 875 autonomous haul trucks globally, having collectively moved over 10 billion metric tonnes of material.
A primary enabler of moving that amount of material is due to Komatsu’s autonomous haulage solution working with ultra-class trucks, such as the 980E with a 363 metric tonne payload capacity.
Komatsu said the new breakthrough underscores its commitment to delivering integrated solutions that help customers meet their productivity targets, reduce total cost of ownership and support the responsible supply of essential minerals in a more efficient manner.