Komatsu, Pronto expand partnership with autonomous quarry technology

Komatsu and Silicon Valley-based Pronto have expanded their strategic partnership to bring autonomous haulage technology to North American quarry operations.

The collaboration will launch Komatsu Smart Quarry Autonomous, powered by Pronto, integrating Pronto’s self-driving system into quarry-sized haul trucks and Komatsu’s Smart Quarry platform, according to an August 7 Komatsu release. The OEM-agnostic solution will allow operators to retrofit existing trucks or purchase new units for 24/7 operation with minimal human input.

The system aims to boost safety by removing drivers from hazardous areas, improve fuel efficiency through consistent cycle times, and deliver data-driven insights to improve operations, according to the release. Pronto’s artificial intelligence and rugged sensor suite are designed to reduce the cost and complexity of deploying autonomy, while Komatsu’s fleet management and analytics tools provide real-time operational control.

Pronto previously partnered with Komatsu to deploy its camera-based autonomous haulage system at Heidelberg Materials’ Lake Bridgeport quarry in North Texas back in July 2024, to streamline operations at the quarry, Pronto’s Chief Financial Officer Christian Kurasek previously told Equipment Finance News. The add-on system uses GPS and cameras instead of costly radar or LiDAR to cut fuel use by over 10%, reduce life cycle costs up to 15% and boost productivity by 20%, with remote monitoring via web-based devices, Kurasek said.

Komatsu Smart Quarry Autonomous will be available through Komatsu’s dealer network, expanding the company’s decades of autonomous haulage experience in large-scale mining to quarries of all sizes, according to the release. Founded in 2018, San Francisco-based Pronto delivers autonomy solutions for quarries and mines worldwide.

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