In a groundbreaking collaboration, SafeAI, a global leader in autonomous heavy equipment, and Obayashi Corporation, a leading construction company, have unveiled the world’s first retrofit zero-emission, autonomous haul truck. The Caterpillar 725, equipped with cutting-edge autonomous and electrification technology, represents a major breakthrough in heavy industry, offering a sustainable solution that allows companies to enhance operations while meeting their environmental goals.
Bibhrajit Halder, founder and CEO of SafeAI, expressed pride in this pioneering endeavor, stating, “I am proud of our latest endeavor of retrofitting a Caterpillar 725, marking the world’s first haul truck retrofitted with autonomous and electrification technology. This pioneering project is a testament to our commitment to an energy-agnostic, autonomous future where efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.”
The retrofitting of the Caterpillar 725 is a historic achievement, demonstrating the successful integration of both autonomous and electrification technologies into an existing haul truck. This innovation empowers companies to upgrade their current assets, optimizing site operations and bolstering environmental performance simultaneously.
Sugiura Shinya, Business Innovation Division General Manager of Obayashi, highlighted the significance of the retrofit approach, saying, “In addition to demonstrating the synergy between autonomous and electric technologies, we’re also excited about the retrofit aspect of this project. The difference between the OEM approach and this initiative is that it puts the contractor in control. A retrofit approach allows contractors to proactively upgrade their vehicles to advance carbon neutral strategies.”
The marriage of automation and electrification in this project offers compounded advantages that address safety, efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in unison. Automation ensures advanced and safer charging infrastructure, enhances workplace safety, and allows remote supervision, reducing exposure to hazardous environments.
David Sánchez, owner and CEO of AVIA Engineering, the system integrator responsible for retrofitting the vehicle with a fully electric drive system, emphasized the importance of sustainability, stating, “By retrofitting these vehicles using a 100 per cent electric Drive Train, it allows companies to recycle their existing assets and use them in a better, more sustainable way.”
The joint effort between SafeAI and Obayashi began in October 2020, with a shared goal of addressing challenges in the construction industry through autonomous solutions. AVIA Engineering’s expertise in electrification and mechatronics played a crucial role in the successful integration of the fully electric powertrain into the Caterpillar 725.
This groundbreaking project not only showcases the potential of retrofitting existing vehicles but also emphasizes the commitment of these industry leaders to advancing sustainability and efficiency in heavy industry. As companies strive to achieve carbon-neutral goals, the retrofitting of autonomous and electric technologies emerges as a viable and environmentally friendly solution, opening new possibilities for the future of heavy equipment in construction.