Applied Intuition and Komatsu—Redefining Autonomy in Mining

Applied Intuition’s new partnership with Komatsu marks our first major customer engagement in the mining sector, building on our experience in automotive, trucking, and defense. By bringing advanced onboard autonomy vehicle intelligence and smart cloud control center to mining operations, we aim to help OEMs and mine operators address today’s operational and sustainability challenges. This partnership signals a broader shift toward innovation and autonomy as essential tools for the future of mining.

The collaboration focuses on deploying next-generation autonomous systems and fleet connectivity across Komatsu’s mining vehicles. By integrating advanced safety, automation, and productivity technologies, both teams are enhancing site operations and enabling smarter, more efficient workflows. Additionally, Komatsu benefits from software-defined vehicle capabilities and a robust digital toolchain to accelerate innovation and unlock new opportunities in mining.

“Partnering with Applied Intuition marks a pivotal moment for Komatsu as we advance our autonomous mining solutions,” said Peter Salditt, President, Komatsu Mining Business Division. “By integrating Komatsu’s deep industry experience with cutting-edge vehicle software, we are accelerating progress toward safer, more connected, and environmentally responsible mining operations.”

The partnership is also advancing safety for staffed vehicles with collision avoidance systems, developing more intelligent capabilities within the fleet management system, and building the world’s largest software-defined vehicle (SDV) platform for mining. These initiatives ensure both staffed and autonomous fleets benefit from next-generation safety, intelligence, and scalability.

Mining at a Turning Point

The mining industry is at a crossroads. Several forces are reshaping what’s possible—and what’s required:

• Critical minerals are in high demand: Electrification and renewable energy are driving a surge in the need for copper, lithium, and nickel; mines are under pressure to deliver more, faster
• Labor shortages are real: Skilled workers are hard to find; mines must do more with less, while keeping operations safe and efficient
• Decarbonization is urgent: Mining and metals account for 4% to 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions; the industry faces ambitious targets: Reducing emissions by 30% by 2030, net-zero by 2050
• Safety is under the spotlight: Up to 40% of mining fatalities are linked to vehicle interactions

Innovation and autonomy aren’t optional—they’re essential. Mines that want to stay competitive, meet sustainability goals, and protect their people need smarter technology.

Looking forward, autonomy is set to redefine mining. Only about 3% of global mining trucks currently operate autonomously—a market valued at $1.6 billion but projected to grow to $12.6 billion by 2031 as adoption accelerates. Mines are turning to advanced autonomy to boost productivity, lower costs, and remain competitive amid labor shortages and ever-evolving safety and sustainability standards.

But growth is not the industry’s only focus. Autonomous solutions are a crucial lever for meeting ambitious environmental and efficiency targets. Next-generation systems enable operations to reduce idle time, optimize fuel use, and support greater electrification and resilience in an increasingly complex mining landscape.

As the industry evolves, operators and technology providers must align with these trends—investing in field-proven, adaptable platforms that deliver both immediate and long-term benefits. The future of mining will be shaped by how effectively the sector leverages autonomy to unlock safer, cleaner, and more productive operations.

Applied Intuition’s Solution

Applied Intuition brings a new approach to mining autonomy—putting advanced intelligence directly on each vehicle. Our technology stack is purpose-built for the realities of modern mining: tough environments, high operational demands, and the need for continuous improvement.

At the core are onboard systems for autonomy, perception, planning, and safety. These systems process data and make decisions locally, reducing dependence on expensive, high-bandwidth networks and continuous high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. If the network or GNSS connection drops, vehicles keep working—safely and without interruption.

Dynamic path planning allows vehicles to detect and navigate around obstacles in real time. AI-enabled collaborative mapping automates site updates, eliminates manual surveys, reduces the cost of labor, and keeps operations moving.

Operator experience matters, and is integrated by design. Our modern human-machine interface (HMI) provides clear information, intuitive controls, and actionable alerts to remote operators and supervisors, even in fully driverless situations. This ensures the right insights reach your team, without information overload or extra screens.

Beyond autonomy, Applied Intuition and Komatsu are advancing mining safety, operator productivity, and fleet intelligence. Features like Surround View and Collision Avoidance Systems enhance safety across sites. Software-defined capabilities give operators smart tools to boost efficiency, while AI-driven offboard solutions enable continual software updates for every vehicle. This software-first architecture ensures mining fleets remain flexible, upgradeable, and future-ready.

Applied Intuition brings proven technologies from automotive, trucking, and defense to mining. Unlike traditional systems that stop if a vehicle disconnects, Applied Intuition’s approach moves safety to the vehicle itself, enabling safe operation even offline. This intelligence—successfully used in the Isuzu autonomous truck—now powers mining fleets for safer, more resilient, and network-independent performance.

Value delivered

• Lower total cost of ownership (TCO): Reduce hardware, networking, and labor costs
• Higher productivity: Real-time autonomy and AI-driven automated mapping keep operations moving, regardless of changing site conditions
• Improved safety: Onboard safety systems and analytics deliver continuous protection and actionable insights, even when vehicles are offline
• Better sustainability: Optimized controls and electrification-ready systems help cut fuel use and emissions
• Faster innovation: Software-defined vehicles and over-the-air updates bring new features and improvements to the field quickly

Why Komatsu Chose Applied Intuition

Komatsu partnered with Applied Intuition to achieve more than incremental gains—they wanted a fundamental shift in mining autonomy. One factor behind this decision was the value Komatsu placed on Applied Intuition’s proven ability to deliver resilient, production-ready autonomy, built on experience across automotive, trucking, and defense. Komatsu’s long-term vision for partnering with Applied Intuition was another key factor in the decision.

Komatsu also prioritized operational gains and adaptability, outcomes that Applied Intuition’s platform is designed to deliver as industry needs evolve. By choosing Applied Intuition, Komatsu is signaling confidence in a scalable, adaptable solution that delivers tangible benefits today and positions their equipment offerings for continued leadership in the future.

“Komatsu saw that we are a company they could partner with to build the products that their customers have been asking for,” said Qasar Younis, Applied Intuition Co-Founder and CEO. “And that's really the long-term goal, to be a trusted partner so that we can build products that continuously improve mining.”

Curious how our vehicle intelligence and autonomy can transform your mining operations? Learn more about Applied Intuition’s mining solutions.