Caterpillar Expands Autonomous Hauling Tech to Smaller Quarries and Mid-Size Trucks
Caterpillar is expanding its MineStar Command for Hauling system in collaboration with Luck Stone, extending its autonomous hauling technology to two additional Virginia sites and mid-size Cat 775 haul trucks. This marks a significant move from large open-pit fleets to smaller quarry-scale operations, requiring careful consideration of traffic management, loading unit integration, and mixed-fleet haul road design.
The system's success at Luck Stone's Bull Run Quarry is evident, with over 3.5 million tons moved since November 2024 after an 18-month ramp-up period. This data-rich reference case will serve as a benchmark for similar operations in the aggregates sector, allowing other US quarry operators to assess cycle times, staffing models, and retrofit risk for their own 775 fleets.
Luck Stone's autonomous program remains focused on quarry-scale aggregates rather than large greenfield metal mines. As the deployment expands to new sites, it must account for existing brownfield plant layouts, crushers, and stockpiles. Mixed-mode operations will require interaction protocols between autonomous trucks, manned loaders, and ancillary light vehicles.