Komatsu, a global leader in mining and construction equipment, and Pronto, the Silicon Valley-based off-road autonomy pioneer, today announced a strategic collaboration to deploy Pronto’s autonomous haulage technologies to quarry operations in the North American market.
The collaboration is based on the introduction of Komatsu Smart Quarry Autonomous, driven by Pronto. The system incorporates Pronto’s autonomy technologies into quarry-sized haul trucks and ties into Komatsu’s Smart Quarry solutions. Also, the pioneering partnership positions both companies at the forefront of transforming the quarry industry using innovative autonomous technologies for quarry operations.
“This collaboration with Pronto accelerates our vision of smart, automated quarry operations,” said Jason Anetsberger, Komatsu’s Senior Director for Customer Solutions. “We have decades of experience with autonomous haulage in large-scale mining. Now we’re bringing that expertise to quarries of all sizes. It’s a solution that helps drive productivity beyond what was previously possible and can support efforts to enhance safety by facilitating the removal of workers from areas of potential hazard.”
“Partnering with an industry leader like Komatsu is about more than technology, it’s about accelerating the future of heavy industry. Previously, the most advanced autonomy was reserved for the largest mines,” said Anthony Levandowski, CEO of Pronto. “Today, by combining Komatsu’s trusted hardware and vast support network with Pronto’s scalable, intelligent autonomous platform, we are fundamentally changing the game. We’re enabling a future of enhanced safety and incredible productivity that is now accessible to quarries of all sizes.”
The new OEM-agnostic solution will enable quarry operators to retrofit the existing Komatsu vehicles or purchase new trucks. The new OEM-agnostic solution is equipped with Pronto’s self-driving system, allowing operation 24/7 with minimal human intervention. The outcome is a step-change in operations, improving safety by eliminating drivers and adding autonomous technologies for quarry in the immediate quarry environment. Further, this facilitates consistent cycle times with improved fuel efficiency and delivers data-driven insights utilising the Smart Quarry platform, designed to optimise the overall operation of quarries.
The autonomous technologies of Pronto utilise advanced artificial intelligence and a range of rugged sensors to perceive the environment and navigate haul roads. This streamlined approach is intended to substantially reduce the cost and complexity of deploying autonomy for quarries of all sizes. Operators will be equipped with an unprecedented level of insight and real-time control, combined with Komatsu’s Smart Quarry Site fleet management and analytics suite over their operations.