LAS VEGAS –
Komatsu Ltd. is going to unveiled its innovative autonomous haul truck featuring a cabless structure at MINExpo last month.
Unlike 930E and 830E autonomous models, Komatsu has newly developed this vehicle exclusively as an unmanned vehicle designed to maximize the advantages of unmanned operation. By distributing equal load to the four wheels both when the vehicle is loaded and empty, 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, thereby totally 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 or snow as well as confined spaces for loading.
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Komatsu’s autonomous haul truck has a payload capacity of 230 tonnes.[/caption]
Komatsu has led the world by commercializing autonomous haulage system (AHS) in 2008. Since then AHS dump trucks have hauled over 1 billion tonnes (cumulative) of overburden and minerals at large scale mines mainly in Chile and Australia. By continuing its efforts to optimize the performance of mining equipment and aggressively promoting remote control and unmanned machine operation, Komatsu will help its mining customers significantly improve their productivity, thereby becoming their indispensable partner.
Komatsu plans a market introduction in the near future.
In the meantime, watch Komatsu’s YouTube video at
www.YouTube.com/watch?v=SNelRmmPpls.
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