ENGLISH
|
JAPANESE
|
CONNECT WITH US:
Home
About
Contact
Log in
*
Home
Press release
May 18, 2023 20:14 JST
Source:
Toyota Motor Corporation
Komatsu and Toyota to develop autonomous light vehicle that will run on Komatsu's Autonomous Haulage System
Launch collaboration to accelerate autonomy in mining operations
TOKYO, May 18, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - Komatsu Ltd. (hereafter "Komatsu") and Toyota Motor Corporation (hereafter "Toyota") are pleased to announce the launch of a joint project to develop an Autonomous Light Vehicle (hereafter "ALV") that will run on Komatsu's Autonomous Haulage System (hereafter "AHS"). To realize further safety and productivity improvements in mines by running autonomous haul trucks and automated ALV controlled by AHS, Komatsu and Toyota are launching an effort to jointly develop new technologies. Both companies are currently testing a concept ALV at their proving grounds, and plan to have a proof of concept at a customer site by around January 2024.
Komatsu autonomous haul truck and Toyota concept ALV
Minerals and energy resources are essential in our lives and industries. Autonomy offers the opportunity to remove people from harm's way and enhance safety. It can allow our mining customers the ability to continue the hard work of providing critical minerals despite the ongoing challenge of labor shortages in the mining industry. It can also provide additional safety measures to mine sites on which multiple pieces of equipment are operated, in an effort to reduce accidents due to human error.
Since the launch of the world's first commercial application of an AHS in 2008, Komatsu has established proven performance in various mine environments and has earned a reputation for safety and productivity. Currently, when AHS-enabled autonomous haul trucks and manual light vehicles used for maintenance or transport are running on haulage roads at the same time, autonomous haul trucks may decrease their speed or stop when passing light vehicles to avoid possible collisions caused by human error. On the other hand, customer demand for improved productivity in mine operations when it comes to autonomous haul truck operating efficiency remains an issue.
In light of those circumstances and in an effort to solve those issues quickly, Komatsu and Toyota have joined together to accelerate autonomy in mines. Komatsu will develop a new management program for ALVs on its AHS supervisory system, and Toyota will develop ALVs running automatically under AHS control.
Role of each company
1. Summary of the project
Purpose
- By operating Komatsu's autonomous haul trucks and Toyota's ALVs in mine sites utilizing a common AHS, the following safety and productivity improvements will be realized across the mining operation:
i. ALVs operating safely along haul roads.
ii. Prevent accidental contact caused by driver, as may happen with existing manual light vehicles.
iii. Minimize speed reductions or brief stops of autonomous haul trucks while passing light vehicles on a haul road.
- Toyota's ALV autonomous operation accelerates further improvements and adds functions that contribute to safety and productivity.
i. Autonomous transfer of parts for other mining equipment working in the field.
ii. .Autonomous transfer of equipment operators for other machines such as loading equipment or bulldozers
Role of each company
- Komatsu Develop a new ALV management program on its AHS.
- Toyota Develop an ALV which runs autonomously under the control of the AHS.
2. Features of AHS
- Since Komatsu launched the world first commercial application of AHS in 2008, the company has deployed over 650 trucks at twenty-two (22) sites in five (5) countries. (As of May 2023)
- Komatsu AHS has earned a high reputation for safety and productivity from major global resource companies.
Toyota makes safety a top priority and aims for zero casualties from traffic accidents as its ultimate goal. Toyota has been developing safe and automated driving technologies as part of its vision to provide "Mobility for All." In this development collaboration with Komatsu, Toyota's automatic driving technologies will be utilized to contribute to the safety of people in their workplace.
Komatsu will strive to create new values in order to take steady steps forward to the next stage for the workplace of the future and pass on a sustainable future to the next generation through the DANTOTSU Value. DANTOTSU Value is defined as customer value creation that generates a positive cycle of improvement of earnings and ESG resolutions in Komatsu's mid-term management plan, entitled "DANTOTSU Value - Together, to 'The Next' for sustainable growth".
Komatsu and Toyota share a vision for developing an affluent and sustainable society to pass on the next generation. To do that, we are accelerating our efforts to realize smart and clean future mine sites, leading to higher safety and productivity for our customer and partners.
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
Sectors: Automotive
Copyright ©2025 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.
Latest Release
Fujitsu to develop ETF trading platform based on TSE's CONNEQTOR and provide it to Australian Securities Exchange
Jul 03, 2025 11:14 JST
Mitsubishi Motors Launches the All-New Grandis for the European Market
Jul 02, 2025 12:10 JST
Valuufy partners with Mainichi Future Creation Lab, Supporting New Approaches to Business Sustainability
Jul 02, 2025 12:00 JST
Fujitsu launches solution to enhance customers' global supply chain resilience
Jul 02, 2025 11:32 JST
MHI Receives Order to Supply Four Circulating Water Pumps for Units 5 and 6 of Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant in China Under Collaboration with Dongfang Electric Machinery
Jul 02, 2025 11:30 JST
Multi-purpose Arena in Odaiba Aomi Area TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO Construction Completed
Jul 01, 2025 22:56 JST
1Finity, a Fujitsu company, commences operations and reveals brand identity
Jul 01, 2025 22:53 JST
MHI Thermal Systems Begins Field Test of Jointly Developed "Surplus Renewable Energy Absorption and Release System"
Jul 01, 2025 22:40 JST
Japan's Telecommunications Carriers Strengthen Disaster Response Through Collaborative Information Sharing
Jul 01, 2025 22:30 JST
JCB and Mandai Wildlife Group Deepen Partnership with exclusive discounts for JCB cardmembers
Jul 01, 2025 16:00 JST
Fujitsu provides Japan's first AI-powered cloud-based library search service
Jul 01, 2025 11:30 JST
JCB Brings Apple Pay to Cardmembers in Vietnam
Jul 01, 2025 11:15 JST
First Shipment of LNG from the LNG Canada Project
Jul 01, 2025 11:00 JST
Approval in Principle (AiP) for World's First LCO2 / Methanol Carrier
Jun 30, 2025 20:30 JST
Acropolis Rally Greece: Day 4 Sunday success and second overall for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's Ogier
Jun 30, 2025 20:15 JST
Mitsubishi Fuso-Hino Merger: 4 Firms Collaborate for the Future of Commercial Vehicles
Jun 30, 2025 20:10 JST
Six Companies Establish BlueRebirth Council to Expand Use of Recycled Materials in New Vehicles
Jun 30, 2025 19:25 JST
Honda Changes Plan to Build New Production Plant for Next-generation Fuel Cell Module in Japan
Jun 30, 2025 19:20 JST
MHI-AC&R Receives Recommendation Award of JARAC's 42nd Excellent Energy Saving Equipment Awards
Jun 30, 2025 19:00 JST
The University of Osaka and Fujitsu Japan launch joint research on AI-powered education support for culturally and linguistically diverse children in Japan
Jun 30, 2025 12:00 JST
More Latest Release >>
Related Release
Multi-purpose Arena in Odaiba Aomi Area TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO Construction Completed
7/1/2025 10:56:00 PM JST
Acropolis Rally Greece: Day 4 Sunday success and second overall for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's Ogier
6/30/2025 8:15:00 PM JST
Mitsubishi Fuso-Hino Merger: 4 Firms Collaborate for the Future of Commercial Vehicles
6/30/2025 8:10:00 PM JST
Implementation of Measures to Enhance Our Corporate Value in Connection with Toyota Industries Corporation
6/3/2025 7:54:00 PM JST
Toyota Group to Accelerate Collaboration Towards Transforming into a Mobility Company Through Privatization of Toyota Industries Corporation
6/3/2025 7:16:00 PM JST
Construction Begins on New Toyota Tokyo Head Office in Shinagawa, to Open in FY2030
5/27/2025 2:31:00 PM JST
Five Toyota Group Companies to Accelerate Skill Development and Innovation in AI and Software
5/23/2025 10:51:00 AM JST
New RAV4 Makes World Premiere in Japan
5/21/2025 2:09:00 PM JST
Premiere of New bZ Woodland BEV Focused on Driving Performance and Spaciousness in North America
5/16/2025 4:35:00 PM JST
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing fights back for double points finish
5/12/2025 3:45:00 PM JST
More Press release >>