Komatsu’s new partnership redefines mining autonomy

Komatsu has announced a major technology collaboration with Applied Intuition, as it pushes towards autonomous, software-driven mining operations.

The partnership will see the development of a unified software-defined vehicle (SDV) and autonomy platform, designed to act as the “central brain” of Komatsu’s next-generation mining equipment.

The platform aims to deliver real-time adaptability, greater precision and reduced downtime for its customers around the world.

“Komatsu is committed to creating value together with our customers, and this collaboration represents a step change in how we bring innovative, high-performance technology to their operations,” Komatsu mining business division president and chief executive of Komatsu Mining Technologies Peter Salditt said.

“By combining Komatsu’s deep mining expertise with Applied Intuition’s cutting-edge AI and SDV solutions, we’re enabling a future where our equipment continuously evolves to meet customers’ unique mine site needs.”

Key features of the new platform include a software-defined vehicle architecture that supports continuous feature delivery, flexible autonomy ranging from operator assist to full autonomy, and embedded machine learning that allows equipment to adapt as mine site conditions change.

Komatsu expects these capabilities to help mining companies improve performance, simplify deployment and support, and achieve stronger returns on investment.

“In a world where autonomy is becoming the norm, our goal is to ensure our customers don’t just keep up – they lead,” Applied Intuition co-founder and chief executive officer Qasar Younis said.

“The mining industry is one of the most regulated in the world, and as the bar keeps rising around emissions, human safety and geopolitics, Applied Intuition and Komatsu plan to build the next generation of mining products and redefine modern software product development.”

The collaboration comes at a time when the mining sector faces rising demand for minerals alongside labour shortages and increasingly complex operating conditions. Komatsu and Applied Intuition see autonomy as a key enabler for safer, more efficient and scalable operations, laying the groundwork for machines that can think, learn and evolve.