What is the Autonomous Haulage System?
Komatsu’s Frontrunner autonomous haulage system is a comprehensive fleet management system for mines. Dump trucks are equipped with vehicle controllers, a high-precision GPS system, obstacle detection systems and a wireless network system, jointly developed by Komatsu Ltd, Komatsu America Corp and Modular Mining Systems, Inc (which is part of Komatsu Ltd). The trucks are operated and controlled by a supervisory computer system, enabling them to be unmanned. Information on target course and speed is sent from the supervisory system to the driverless trucks, while GPS is used to ascertain their position. When loading, the trucks are automatically guided to the loading spot, based on the position of the bucket of the GPS-fitted excavator or wheel loader. The supervisory system then directs the trucks along the route to the dump location. From a safety perspective, the fleet control system prevents collisions with other dump trucks, service vehicles or other equipment at the mining sites.
