Automatic Wheel-Loader in Asphalt Plant

Abstract

Komatsu, Ltd. and Nippon Hodo Co., Ltd. have jointly developed an unmanned automatic operation system for wheel loaders for the execution of routine works in asphalt plants (scooping, transportation and loading). This system was introduced on a wheel loader in the Shimonoseki Plant of Nippon Hodo Co., Ltd. and is being operated for demonstration purposes. This automatic wheel loader is equipped with a high-performance micro- computer and various sensors and actuators and is able to perform various works automatically according to work instructions from a controller separately located at the site.