INDUSTRY X . O
AUTONOMOUSTRUCKS
Boost Productivity and Attract Funding
The latest self-driving models are cuttings costs , raising efficiencies and setting the foundations for fossil-free mining operations in the mobile fleet sector
WRITTEN BY : DOMINIC ELLIS
The words ‘ electric ’ and ‘ autonomous ’ are largely synonymous with compact passenger cars to most of us but technological developments are taking place at top speed across the transport spectrum – including in the large mining vehicle sector , which has the almost unique capability of combining scale and invisibility at the same time .
As befits these novel times , this year ’ s Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ) was not only the first digital showcase but also marked Caterpillar ’ s debut as it promoted its selfdriving fleet equipped with Cat MineStar and data-sharing subscription product , MineStar Edge . If nothing else , it raised the supersized truck into consumer consciousness .
“ People may ask why a manufacturing company like Caterpillar has decided to participate in CES ,” said Denise Johnson , Group President , Resource Industries . “ The real question is ‘ why not ?’ We ’ re proud of our reputation for building some of the biggest , most productive machines in the world . But the technology that goes along with those machines is built by Caterpillar , too .”
48 March 2021