Russian truck maker Kamaz presented a driverless dumper prototype nicknamed Robocop that looks perfect for a post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie. Sci-fi references aside, the autonomous heavy truck is fully functional and will be tested in real-life conditions in coal mines.
The prototype is based on the Kamaz Atlant 49 dump truck, inheriting its cab-over design, four-axle 8×4 chassis, turbodiesel engine, and 49-ton (108,027 pounds) payload capacity. While the lower part of the bodywork and the bed are carried over from the standard model, the Robocop features a unique upper-cab design communicating its driverless nature.
The lack of doors, mirrors, and windows makes it clear that this is an unmanned vehicle. Instead of a driver, an array of sensors mounted on the roof, behind the dark windshield-style panel, and on the side wings continuously scan the environment. Furthermore, when a fully autonomous operation is not possible, the truck can also be driven remotely by an operator.
More: Russia’s Kamaz Is Facing A Worker Shortage, So They’re Considering Having Prisoners Build Vehicles
Kamaz / VK
According to Russian media outlet Drom, the Robocop was designed for operating in closed areas like quarries (open pit mines). Kamaz announced that its driverless truck will head to the city of Kemerovo in Siberia, known as the coal mining capital of Russia. There, it will test its autonomous, off-road, and cargo-carrying capabilities in one of the coal mines.
Notably, this is not the first driverless truck by Kamaz which has been developing and testing autonomous technologies since 2017-2018. Earlier this year, the company tested autonomous versions of the Kamaz 43118 on the snowy and icy roads of the Vostochno-Messoyakhskoye field near the Arctic Circle. The self-driving trucks transported cargo in extreme weather conditions that would be too harsh for a human driver, allowing uninterrupted operation during the winter.
Motorsport fans are probably familiar with Kamaz from its 19 wins at the Dakar Rally. The truck maker was a dominant force in the truck segment of the famous rally until it got banned from the event last year due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
H/T to Mikhail for the Tip