Komatsu Australia has celebrated the successful deployment of the 500 automated haulage system, also known as AHS, truck in Australia.
The most recent AHS truck was rolled out in Western Australia, which continues the longstanding success of the Komatsu AHS truck in the mining sector. Since it was first introduced in 2008, Komatsu has steadily grown the deployment of AHS trucks throughout Australia where it has grown from small-scale trials to one of the largest autonomous mining fleets in the world.
“Having 500 AHS truck in operation across Australia is a proud achievement for Komatsu and a reflection of how strongly the industry has embraced autonomous haulage,” Komatsu general manager for mining automation Garry Povah said.
“This milestone not only demonstrates what autonomy has already achieved, but also signals the role it will play in building safer, more sustainable mining operations into the future.”
Autonomous haulage has become a key part of modern mining, offering both safety and productivity benefits. By removing operators from dangerous conditions, they greatly lower the risk of accidents and injuries, while their ability to run continuously drives significant gains in site productivity.
Central to this achievement is Komatsu’s FrontRunner system, the technology that serves as the “brain” of its driverless trucks. FrontRunner coordinates entire fleets, managing truck navigation, speed, loading and dumping cycles to keep operations safe, efficient and predictable – all without an operator in the cab.
Povah said the scale of Komatsu’s AHS deployment also highlights how far the technology has progressed.
“Komatsu’s FrontRunner platform is no longer a pilot project but a mature, proven system with hundreds of trucks working at sites across Australia. Collectively, these trucks contribute to billions of tonnes hauled worldwide each year, demonstrating the efficiency gains and reliability of autonomous mining,” he said.
“Autonomy is also becoming a pathway to decarbonisation. Komatsu is investing in battery-electric haul truck technology, with Australian sites expected to play a leading role in trials of zero-emission fleets. The integration of electrification with autonomy promises not only safer and more productive operations, but also a significant step toward meeting the mining sector’s long-term sustainability goals.”
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