Komatsu targets unmanned Lunar construction innovations
Komatsu has been selected for the “Space Unmanned Construction Innovation Technology Development Promotion Project” with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan that was launched in July this year as part of the “Space Development and Utilization Acceleration Strategy Program” (Stardust Program).
Komatsu’s “Digital Twin Technology Construction for Lunar Construction Machinery” was selected for “Technology for Unmanned Construction” after applying in an open call for participants in co-operation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
In the future, under the system of the “Unmanned Construction Innovation Technology Development Promotion Council” and in collaboration with ministries and agencies, Komatsu will promote technological research and development to realize the sophistication in the construction business that Japan is aiming for, and on the moon in the near future.
Komatsu is committed to the research and development that contributes to construction activities in space development.
The three-year medium-term management plan’s goal for the fiscal year ending March 2022 is to develop safe and highly productive activities with automation and autonomy of machines and optimization of construction operations.
In the technological research and development of the “digital twin technology construction of lunar construction machinery” Komatsu will utilize technologies that it has already been developing.
As developing actual products for the moon is complicated, digital twin technology will be used to accurately reproduce the working site environment, and the actual machinery in cyberspace.
Komatsu’s technological research and development will be focused on conducting a feasibility study to verify the feasibility of constructing the highly accurate “digital twin technology” that is the basic technology of future lunar construction machinery.
Specifically, Komatsu will verify the accuracy of the simulator by creating and operating a hydraulic excavator in cyberspace and comparing it with the behaviour of the actual machine on the earth. In addition, by setting the cyber space to the lunar surface environment and checking the vehicle body behaviour on the simulator, they will explore the issues of lunar surface construction machinery.
Komatsu will continue to work with stakeholders to create new value through manufacturing and technological innovations and to open up a future in which people, society, and the earth can prosper together for the next 100 years.
