Komatsu and Pronto have confirmed details around a strategic partnership which will see autonomous haulage technology deployed in North American quarries.
The cornerstone of the partnership is the Komatsu Smart Quarry Autonomous, powered by Pronto. The system integrates Pronto’s autonomous technology and Komatsu’s Smart Quarry solutions into quarry haul trucks.
“This collaboration with Pronto accelerates our vision of smart, automated quarry operations,” Komatsu senior director for customer solutions Jason Anetsberger said.
“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.”
The new solution will be OEM-agnostic can be retrofitted to existing Komatsu vehicles or purchase new trucks equipped with Pronto’s self-driving system. According to the release, the system enables 24/7 operation and supports using data-driven insights to improve quarry operations using Komatsu’s Smart Quarry Site fleet management and analytics suite. Pronto’s autonomous technologies use artificial intelligence and sensors to navigate haul roads.
“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,” Pronto chief executive officer Anthony Levandowski said.
“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.”
