TIER IV and Komatsu begin joint development of autonomous systems for three dump truck models
TIER IV and Komatsu are developing autonomous driving for three dump truck models for quarry and construction sites. Deployment in Japan and North America is targeted for 2027.
TIER IV, Inc. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo) and Komatsu Ltd. have begun joint development of autonomous driving systems for three dump truck models, according to a November 13, 2026 release published on prnewswire.com. The aim is to bring autonomous driving into practical use at quarry and construction sites in Japan and North America prnewswire.com
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TIER IV, Komatsu and EARTHBRAIN Ltd., a Komatsu subsidiary, began collaborating in September 2025 on autonomous technology for construction equipment. Under the new joint development, the companies say they will accelerate this work toward deployment in Japan and North America in 2027.
Three dump truck models
The companies will jointly develop and verify systems for the rigid dump trucks HD785 (maximum payload: 93.9 metric tons) and HD605 (maximum payload: 64.1 metric tons), and the articulated dump truck HM400/460 (maximum payload: 42 metric tons).
TIER IV's autonomous driving technology will be combined with Komatsu's vehicle engineering, system integration and vehicle control technologies. The target is a system capable of supporting loading, hauling and dumping use cases in actual jobsite operations prnewswire.com
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Fleet management at the jobsite
The fleet management system developed by EARTHBRAIN will be integrated with the autonomous system. According to the companies, this extends automation beyond individual vehicles to fleet management across the whole jobsite.
TIER IV, Komatsu and EARTHBRAIN plan to accumulate operational expertise through verification testing and jobsite deployment. They aim to deliver automation solutions that customers can adopt easily and use on an ongoing basis. The companies state that improved labor efficiency and safe, efficient vehicle operation will contribute to jobsite safety and productivity.
The release notes that the information may be subject to change without notice.
