Caterpillar will deploy its autonomous solution to Luck Stone’s Bull Run Plant in Chantilly, Virginia, in 2024. This will be Caterpillar’s first autonomous deployment in the aggregates industry and will expand the company’s autonomous truck fleet to include the 100-ton-class Cat 777 haul truck.
Caterpillar will use its existing MineStar Command for Hauling system at the Bull Run quarry on a fleet of 777G trucks. The project will provide Caterpillar with insights on quarry operations in order to tailor the next generation of autonomous solutions specific to quarry and aggregate applications, according to the company. This project supports the acceleration of autonomous technology for operations with fewer mobile assets to allow a step change in safety and productivity, as currently experienced at large mining operations.
“Luck Stone and Caterpillar’s partnership has been grounded in shared values for many years,” said Charlie Luck, president/CEO of Luck Companies, in a statement. “Together we believe that safety, innovation and a commitment to people are critical, not only to propelling important projects like this, but to ensuring our focus on the future and all of the exciting possibilities technology affords our industry. Our collaboration will provide opportunities for associates to learn and grow, improve safety and result in production efficiencies. We are thrilled to partner with Caterpillar to achieve this ‘first’ for our industry.”
Said Denise Johnson, Caterpillar group president of resource industries, in a statement:
“Caterpillar has a long-standing relationship with Luck Stone, and we look forward to working together to bring the demonstrated benefits of increased safety and productivity to the quarry industry. We’re excited to get in the dirt and work alongside Luck Stone’s innovative team, so we can learn how to scale our already proven mining solution for another industry.”
Source: Caterpillar
