Heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania has announced a new partnership with Australian mining company Fortescue to develop and validate a fully integrated autonomous road train solution.
With the global mining industry evolving to introduce more autonomous solutions, Scania Australia managing director Manfred Streit says challenges can now be approached with sustainability in mind due to the development of technology in the sector.
“By utilising Scania’s extensive knowledge in supplying trucks to the mining industry and our expertise in autonomous driving, the road train solution will reduce the overall mining footprint,” Streit says.
The autonomous solution will be developed, tested and validated in partnership at Fortescue’s iron ore operations in Christmas Creek, Queensland.
With Scania’s technology in truck automation, the autonomous solution will be integrated with Fortescue’s Fleet Management System, or FMS, designed to optimise fleet utilisation and maximise productivity, while ensuring efficient fuel and energy consumption to reduce carbon emissions.
The solution will also integrate Scania’s onboard automation hardware and technology for the Scania R770 prime mover platform, coupled with three trailers weighing 120 tonnes with a payload of 240 tonnes.
“This is a great opportunity for Scania to learn more about autonomy in demanding conditions with an innovative partner,” Scania head of autonomous solutions Peter Hafmar says.
Fortescue Metals CEO Dino Otranto says the company’s deep expertise in autonomous haulage has allowed it to jointly develop the unique autonomous solution.
“It unlocks high grade, satellite deposits for us to mine economically. This project will help us maximise productivity with unique low-cost solutions in our mining value chain,” Otranto says.
Scania Australia has been working closely with Fortescue for many years and says it is pleased to see this joint development project become a reality.
“Their heavy haul trucks operate in an incredibly harsh environment. The local and global mining specialists have devised a solution that will bring efficiency and safety,” Scania Australia head of mining Robert Taylor says.
Scania and Fortescue share the same values in safety, operational efficiency and reducing carbon footprints.
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