Komatsu’s Smart Quarry Autonomous, powered by Pronto, was named a finalist for the ConExpo-Con/Agg Next Level Awards, which recognise equipment and technologies that demonstrate measurable potential to advance operations.
The technology awards highlight solutions that apply emerging automation and digital capabilities to real-world jobsite challenges, with the winner determined by votes cast during the show, which ran from 3–7 March. Smart Quarry Autonomous is part of Komatsu North America’s expanding technology offering for quarry aggregate operations, sitting within the company’s broader Smart Quarry suite of solutions.
“Quarry operations are under pressure to keep production moving despite ongoing labor challenges,” says Michael Gidaspow, chief digital officer, Komatsu North America. “Autonomous haulage can help address ongoing workforce challenges by reducing reliance on skilled operators, helping to mitigate the impact of absenteeism and shift changes and enabling more predictable haul cycles across operating hours. Being recognized as a Next Level Award finalist reinforces that quarry-scale autonomy can deliver meaningful operational wins without unnecessary complexity.”
Smart Quarry Autonomous is designed to be deployed without the need for extensive site infrastructure or a dedicated control centre. The solution can be installed as a retrofit on select Komatsu haul trucks, enabling quarry operators to adopt autonomy in stages and match the sensor stack to the specific complexity of their haul roads and environment.
The system uses artificial intelligence, onboard computing and sensor-based perception technologies to navigate mapped haul routes with minimal setup. System configurations are determined based on site requirements and applicable commercial agreements.
Komatsu’s dealer network supports Smart Quarry Autonomous through hardware installation, system deployment, training and ongoing service, with components supplied through Komatsu’s distribution network.
Komatsu North America and Pronto – the Silicon Valley-based off-road autonomy company – announced a commercial partnership in August 2025, focused on providing a scalable path to autonomy for open-pit quarries and aggregate producers in North America.
Image: Komatsu
