More Than 3 Billion Metric Tons Moved Using Komatsu’s Autonomous Haulage System

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A Komatsu FrontRunner AHS-equipped truck and hydraulic excavator work together at the Komatsu Proving Grounds in Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Komatsu.)

Komatsu first deployed its FrontRunner AHS (Autonomous Haulage System) back in 2008 at a copper mine in Chile, and in the roughly 12 years since then the company says mining customers have moved more than 3 billion metric tons of materials using AHS. The manufacturer says that as of the end of June 2020, FrontRunner AHS was running 251 trucks at 11 customer sites on three continents, and another 100 trucks are expected to deployed by the end of this year.

How It Works

Komatsu describes FrontRunner AHS as a service that enables manually operated equipment (such as loaders, dozers, graders, light vehicles, etc.) to seamlessly interact in an autonomous truck environment. Recent integrations allow autonomous trucks to work with manual haul trucks. Looking into the future, Komatsu says is leading initiatives within ISO to develop autonomous interoperability between Komatsu and non-Komatsu autonomous vehicles.

An Ongoing Value

Toshio Kurokawa, General Manager of Marketing Department, Mining Business Division, Komatsu, believes the new investments in AHS shows the value of technology and equipment. “We are gratified to have helped our customers save hundreds of millions of dollars while autonomously moving another billion metric tons of essential minerals and driving for zero harm,” he says, adding that “We are also honored that autonomous haulage has been a valuable resource to help our customers mitigate risks associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic.”

Source: Komatsu