A dump truck isn't just something that hauls earth — it's a machine that designs payload, tires/crawlers, diesel/electric drive, the hydraulic bed, braking, and mine autonomous haulage as a single transport system. This article covers payload calculation, grade resistance, retarders, and current autonomous haulage technology from Komatsu and Caterpillar.
September 4, 2026 Construction Machinery EngineeringConstruction-machinery automation has advanced in stages: machine guidance, which measures blade-edge position with GNSS and IMU; remote operation, piloting by radio from a safe distance in hazardous zones; and autonomous haulage systems now running at mines and quarries. This article organizes MLIT's i-Construction policy, the history of unmanned construction dating back to Mt. Unzen-Fugendake, and the current track record of Komatsu's FrontRunner AHS and Caterpillar Command.