MINExpo 2016: Komatsu launches autonomous haulage vehicle
Published by Jonathan Rowland,
Editor
World Coal,
Komatsu unveiled its cab-less Autonomous Haulage Vehicle, at MINExpo 2016 in Las Vegas – the world’s first mining truck to be designed to maximise the advantages of unmanned operations. According to a company press release, Komatsu plans a market introduction in the “near future”.
By distributing equal load to the four wheels – both when the vehicle is loaded and unloaded – and adopting four-wheel drive, retarder and steering, Komatsu is aiming for high-performance shuttling of this vehicle in both forward and reverse travel directions, eliminating the need for K-turns at loading and unloading sites.
In particular, Komatsu expects that this new vehicle will considerably improve the productivity at mines where existing unmanned haulage vehicles face challenging conditions, such as slippery ground due to frequent rain/snow fall, as well as confined spaces for loading.
Komatsu has been a leader in autonomous trucks for the mining industry, first commercialising its Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) in 2008. Since then AHS dump trucks have hauled over 1 billion t (cumulative) of overburden and minerals at large-scale mines mainly in Chile and Australia.
By continuing its efforts to optimise the performance of mining equipment and aggressively promote remote control and unmanned machine operation, Komatsu will help its mining customers significantly improve their productivity, thereby becoming their indispensable partner.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/product-news/07102016/minexpo-2016-komatsu-launches-autonomous-haulage-vehicle/
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