A 93.9-metric-ton dump truck rumbling through a quarry pit with no one behind the wheel is the goal TIER IV and Komatsu are now racing toward. The two companies announced on November 13, 2026, that they have begun joint development of autonomous driving systems for three dump truck models, aiming to put them to work at quarry and construction sites in Japan and North America by 2027.
The partnership targets Komatsu's HD785 and HD605 rigid dump trucks, rated for maximum payloads of 93.9 and 64.1 metric tons respectively, along with the HM400/460 articulated dump truck, which carries up to 42 metric tons. TIER IV will supply its autonomous driving stack, while Komatsu contributes vehicle engineering, system integration and vehicle control technology. EARTHBRAIN Ltd., a Komatsu subsidiary focused on construction digitalization, will fold its fleet management system into the project so operators can coordinate automation across an entire jobsite rather than vehicle by vehicle.
Why Quarry Automation Is Gaining Ground
Quarries and mines have become one of the more credible proving grounds for autonomous heavy equipment, since routes are repetitive, sites are closed to the public and labor shortages are acute in Japan's construction sector. TIER IV is the steward of Autoware, the open-source autonomous driving software stack originally built for passenger cars and shuttles, and this deal extends that code base into off-road, high-payload machinery. The companies first agreed to collaborate in September 2025, and this week's announcement marks the shift from a framework agreement to joint development work on three named truck models, with loading, hauling and dumping all in scope.
The move puts TIER IV and Komatsu in direct competition with Komatsu's own earlier push: the company separately partnered with Silicon Valley firm Pronto in 2025 to deploy autonomous haulage technology for North American quarries under the Komatsu Smart Quarry Autonomous program. Caterpillar, meanwhile, has run autonomous haul trucks at large metal mines for more than a decade through its Cat MineStar Command system, though mostly on dedicated mine sites rather than smaller quarries. China's EACON Mining Technology recently brought 60 autonomous electric haul trucks to full site-wide operation at a 5,400-meter copper mine in Tibet, underscoring how fast the category is moving globally.
What Comes Next
TIER IV and Komatsu have not disclosed financial terms or a specific site for initial trials, but both companies point to 2027 as the target year for practical deployment in Japan and North America. The companies said the goal is to reduce labor requirements while improving safety and productivity on site, a pitch aimed squarely at quarry operators facing an aging workforce. Whether the system reaches commercial sale will depend on how the joint testing phase performs across the three truck models, each representing a different payload class and operating pattern. TIER IV and Komatsu said more details on trial sites and timelines will follow as development progresses.