Harsco Corporation has revealed that its Environmental division (HE) will serve as the first pilot customer for Volvo Construction Equipment’s (Volvo CE) new autonomous battery-electric hauler. While not yet on the market, the hauler is being heralded as the “next ground-breaking step in Volvo CE’s innovation journey.” “We are delighted to partner with Volvo CE on this pilot,” said HE chief operating officer Russ Mitchell. “Our participation represents the fulfilment of the promise we make to every Harsc
Harsco Corporation has revealed that its Environmental division (HE) will serve as the first pilot customer for Volvo Construction Equipment’s ( Volvo CE) new autonomous battery-electric hauler. While not yet on the market, the hauler is being heralded as the “next ground-breaking step in Volvo CE’s innovation journey.”
“We are delighted to partner with Volvo CE on this pilot,” said HE chief operating officer Russ Mitchell. “Our participation represents the fulfilment of the promise we make to every Harsco Environmental customer: that we will always seek solutions that are both innovative and environmentally responsible.”
Based on the HX2 concept model, a fleet of four updated machines will begin the year-long pilot program on a date to be decided in Q1 2020 at an HE site in Sweden, where it will be tested in a repetitive transport application. The machine is fully automated and uses shared and proven technologies from the Volvo group like batteries and driveline systems.
“We aim to raise the bar in what our machines can achieve for our customers, and this innovative commercial pilot represents the next phase of our journey into increased machine autonomy,” said Volvo CE president Melker Jernberg.
“By working alongside valued customers like Harsco Environmental, we are challenging our autonomous technology in demanding real-world applications. Getting advanced prototypes into the hands of customers early also allows us to incorporate their feedback in the pre-production phase. This commercial pilot is an important next step in the process of industrialising this exciting future technology.”
Autonomous HX2 concept hauler testing has continued at Volvo CE’s Eskilstuna facility since the conclusion of the first phase of the Electric Site project in Q4 2018.
Aggregates Business reported at the start of 2019 that Volvo CE and its customer Skanska had recorded claimed ground-breaking results during the first project phase at Skanska’s Vikan Cross quarry, near Gothenburg, Sweden, from September to November 2018. Tests are said to have shown a 98% reduction in carbon emissions, a 70% cut in energy cost and a 40% drop in operator cost. The quarry is the second largest in Sweden.
The Electric Site project aims to electrify each transport stage in a quarry – from excavation to primary crushing, and transport to secondary crushing. It incorporates electric and autonomous prototype Volvo CE machines, new work methods, and site management systems, which together form a complete site solution.
