Komatsu has teamed up with AIM Intelligent Machines to expand its autonomous operation capabilities to bulldozers and hydraulic excavators for customers in Japan and the U.S.
The collaboration builds on other recent partnerships designed to advance autonomous equipment operation, along with increased safety, productivity and reduced environmental impact. Last year, the company announced a partnership with Tier IV to develop autonomous technology for its articulated and rigid dump trucks for civil and quarry sites. It also joined forces with Bentley Systems to integrate AI-powered digital-twin technology and 3D geospatial tools into its Smart Construction platform.
This new agreement opens up opportunities for its mining and earthmoving segments, combining Komatsu’s Smart Construction digital construction management solutions with AIM’s physical AI technology, connecting construction planning, digitally enabled equipment, jobsite management and remote operation.
AIM has already commercially deployed autonomous fleets of bulldozers and hydraulic excavators, and Komatsu autonomous machines are operating at customer jobsites in the U.S. The companies plan to roll out the solution to the Japanese market in 2027.
Powered byThe solution integrates Smart Construction-generated construction plans and target terrain data with AIM’s physical AI platform, allowing the bulldozers and hydraulic excavators to interpret project objectives, independently decide the best construction method and travel route, and execute tasks autonomously.
Customers are able to manage every stage of the construction process — from planning and autonomous operation to progress visualization and performance data utilization — through a single digital workflow, while automating and optimizing the entire construction process, the partners say. Additionally, AIM’s technology can be retrofitted to bulldozers and hydraulic excavators, allowing customers to use their current fleet.
Enhanced integrations between Smart Construction and AIM’s physical AI platform will continue to be explored to further advance autonomous construction, address labor shortages and accelerate digital transformation across construction jobsites.
“Komatsu is committed to working together with the industries we serve to work toward safe, productive and sustainable jobsites through construction equipment and digital solutions. AIM shares our vision of transforming construction through autonomous technology, making them an ideal partner for this journey,” said Chikashi Shike, president, Solution Division, Komatsu Ltd.
“By combining AIM’s physical AI platform with Komatsu’s ecosystem, construction machines can autonomously perform earthmoving tasks at the jobsite,” said Adam Sadilek, CEO, AIM Intelligent Machines. “This partnership enables organizations to make a smooth transition from conventional operations to autonomous construction while continuing to utilize their existing equipment fleets.”
