Komatsu, a manufacturer of mining and construction machinery, has entered into a partnership with Pronto, a provider of off-road autonomous haulage systems, to introduce an autonomy solution for quarry operations in the North American market.

The partnership will introduce the Komatsu Smart Quarry Autonomous system, which integrates Pronto’s technology into haul trucks designed for quarry use, while also aligning with Komatsu’s Smart Quarry offerings.

Komatsu Customer Solutions senior director Jason Anetsberger said: “This collaboration with Pronto accelerates our vision of smart, automated quarry operations.

“We have decades of experience with autonomous haulage in large-scale mining. Now we are bringing that expertise to quarries of all sizes.

“It is 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.”

This initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency in the quarry sector through the adoption of autonomous systems.

The solution is designed to be compatible with various original equipment manufacturers, enabling quarry operators to either retrofit their existing Komatsu vehicles or acquire new trucks that come equipped with Pronto’s self-driving technology.

This development facilitates round-the-clock operations with reduced reliance on human operators.

Anticipated outcomes include improved safety by eliminating the need for drivers in potentially dangerous quarry environments, enhanced consistency in operational cycles, increased fuel efficiency and access to analytical insights via the Smart Quarry platform.

Pronto’s technology employs sophisticated AI and a suite of robust sensors to navigate and assess the quarry environment.

This approach aims to simplify the integration of autonomous systems in quarries of various scales.

In conjunction with Komatsu’s Smart Quarry Site management and analytics tools, this partnership is expected to provide operators with enhanced visibility and control over their quarry operations.

Pronto CEO Anthony Levandowski said: “Partnering with an industry leader like Komatsu is about more than technology, it is about accelerating the future of heavy industry. Previously, the most advanced autonomy was reserved for the largest mines.

“Today, by combining Komatsu’s trusted hardware and vast support network with Pronto’s scalable, intelligent autonomous platform, we are fundamentally changing the game. We are enabling a future of enhanced safety and incredible productivity that is now accessible to quarries of all sizes.”