Komatsu has inked two partnerships this month to move forward its autonomy and other technology goals. A collaboration with Applied Intuition will help Komatsu obtain a software-defined vehicle (SDV) and autonomy platform that will the “brain” of its next generation of mining equipment. In Japan, a deal with Tier IV will help the company develop autonomous technology for construction equipment.
The mining move with Applied Intuition will provide customers with an enhanced machine architecture the will “enable faster deployment, simplified support, and scalable solutions,” according to the company. It said features would include:
Software-defined vehicle architecture that will enable continuous feature delivery over the life of the machine, with native integration of data management, digital security and connected support.
Flexible autonomy capabilities ranging from advanced operator assist to full autonomy on a common platform, adaptable across fleets, commodities and operational complexities.
Embedded machine learning and AI that supports functional enhancements and continuous learning, enabling site-specific optimization as conditions change.
“In a world where autonomy is becoming the norm, our goal is to ensure our customers don’t just keep up—they lead,” said Qasar Younis, co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, in a statement. “The mining industry is one of the most regulated in the world, and as the bar keeps rising around emissions, human safety and geopolitics, Applied Intuition and Komatsu plan to build the next generation of mining products and redefine modern software product development.”
Practical autonomy applications in Japan by 2027
On the construction side, Komatsu and its subsidiary, Earthbrain, will work with Tier IV to provide autonomous technology for its articulated dump trucks and rigid-frame haul trucks. Together, the three companies will develop an autonomous system and fleet management system for construction equipment, aiming to bring the technology into practical use, according to Komatsu.
The venture draws from Tier IV’s autonomous driving technology, Komatsu’s vehicle engineering for construction equipment, and Earthbrain’s expertise in construction process management utilizing digital technologies. Tier IV will co-develop the autonomous system with Komatsu and support its integration and deployment at job sites. Earthbrain will be responsible for developing the fleet management system.
Komatsu will first apply this technology to its HM400 ADT and HD785 haul truck, with plans to expand the technology to other models in the future.
About the Author
Rod Sutton
Sutton has served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment magazine and ConstructionEquipment.com since 2001.
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