How Much OEM Involvement is Really Needed for Autonomous Mining Retrofits?

Exploring the Technical Requirements, Commercial Tensions, and Future of Equipment Autonomy in Mining

By the OpenAutonomy.com Editorial Team

As the mining industry accelerates its adoption of autonomous haulage systems (AHS), a critical question emerges for operations with existing fleets: How much cooperation is really needed from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) when retrofitting conventional equipment for autonomous operation?

The answer reveals a complex interplay of technical requirements, intellectual property considerations, commercial interests, and the broader vision of open autonomy that could reshape the mining industry's approach to technology adoption.

The Technical Reality: What's Actually Required?

At the most fundamental level, retrofitting a haul truck for autonomous operation requires adding several key components that may or may not need OEM involvement, depending on the age and sophistication of the equipment.

Modern Equipment: Built for Integration

For newer equipment—generally trucks manufactured after 2010—the technical barriers are surprisingly low. These vehicles typically come equipped with:

• Electronic Control Systems: Modern trucks already have sophisticated Electronic Control Units (ECUs) managing engine performance, transmission, and braking

• CAN bus architecture: The Controller Area Network (CAN) bus provides a standardized communication protocol between vehicle systems

• Drive-by-wire capabilities: Electronic throttle control, electronic braking systems, and electronically controlled transmissions are increasingly standard

Companies like EACON Mining, which recently partnered with Thiess to retrofit Komatsu HD1500 trucks at Norton Gold Fields in Australia, demonstrate that modern equipment can be retrofitted without extensive OEM involvement. EACON's ORCASTRA® system, already deployed on over 1,700 trucks across more than 20 mine sites globally, works with more than 10 vehicle models from seven different OEMs.

Older Equipment: Adding the Missing Pieces

For older equipment lacking these electronic systems, retrofit providers typically add:

• Actuators for steering, throttle, and braking: Physical mechanisms to control vehicle movement

• Sensor suites: LiDAR, radar, cameras, GPS, and IMU systems for environmental perception

• Computing platforms: Onboard processors to run autonomous driving algorithms

• Communication systems: For fleet coordination and remote monitoring

Epiroc's LinkOA platform (formerly known as Mobius when it was developed by ASI Mining) has been retrofitting mining equipment for nearly 20 years, demonstrating that even older trucks can be automated. The LinkOA platform—which stands for "Link Open Autonomy"—has automated everything from CAT 777 haul trucks to various models across 70 different OEM vehicle types.

The Information Divide: Need vs. Obligation

While the technical requirements may be straightforward, the real complexity lies in accessing the proprietary information that makes integration seamless and safe.

What Retrofit Providers Need

To effectively retrofit equipment, autonomous technology providers ideally want:

• CAN bus protocols: The specific message formats and data structures used by the vehicle's systems

• Safety system interfaces: How to properly integrate with existing safety features

• Diagnostic codes: Understanding of fault conditions and system states

• Performance parameters: Engine maps, transmission logic, and braking characteristics

What OEMs Are Obligated to Share

Here's where it gets murky. Unlike the automotive industry, where right-to-repair legislation in places like Massachusetts mandates certain information sharing, the mining equipment sector operates in a regulatory gray area. OEMs are generally:

• Not legally required to share proprietary protocols or internal system documentation

• Not obligated to provide integration support for third-party modifications

• Free to void warranties if unauthorized modifications are made

The situation parallels broader right-to-repair debates. As one industry expert notes in the context of industrial equipment: "Companies operating in declining sectors... have been rescued from collapse by attracting overseas buyers for their intellectual property portfolios." For OEMs, their proprietary systems represent valuable IP that they're understandably reluctant to share freely.

Commercial Realities: The OEM Dilemma

The tension becomes clear when examining OEM motivations. Companies like Komatsu have invested heavily in their own autonomous solutions—Komatsu's FrontRunner AHS has over 750 trucks deployed globally. These OEMs face a classic innovator's dilemma:

Revenue Streams at Risk

• New equipment sales: Closed-stack autonomy drives replacement of mixed fleets

• Technology licensing: Proprietary autonomous systems generate ongoing fees

• Service monopolies: Exclusive maintenance and support contracts

Continuing Revenue Opportunities

• Parts and maintenance: Autonomous trucks still need OEM components

• Technical support: Even retrofitted equipment requires OEM expertise

• Hybrid models: Some OEMs are exploring authorized retrofit programs

The Market Response: Innovation Despite Barriers

The lack of mandated OEM cooperation hasn't stopped innovation. Multiple approaches have emerged:

OEM-Agnostic Platforms

Companies like EACON, Epiroc (with its LinkOA platform), SafeAI (now part of Pronto), and others have developed systems that work around proprietary limitations by:

• Reverse-engineering protocols through observation and testing

• Creating universal interfaces that adapt to different OEM systems

• Building relationships with equipment owners who provide access to their fleets

Epiroc's successful deployment of LinkOA at Roy Hill, creating what's planned to be the world's largest autonomous mine with 96 mixed-fleet trucks, demonstrates the viability of this approach.

Strategic Partnerships

Some technology providers are finding middle ground through partnerships. Caterpillar's announcement of retrofitting Komatsu 930E trucks with Cat autonomous technology shows even OEMs recognize the value of interoperability—when it serves their interests.

The Generosity Factor

Interestingly, some OEMs are beginning to see cooperation as strategically advantageous. As mining companies demand more flexibility, OEMs that enable retrofit solutions may gain competitive advantage through:

• Increased parts and service revenue from extended equipment life

• Goodwill with customers who appreciate flexibility

• Participation in the growing retrofit market rather than fighting it

The Path Forward: Interoperability as Imperative

The push for open autonomy in mining reflects a fundamental shift in how the industry views technology adoption. ISO 23725, the standard for Autonomous System and Fleet Management System Interoperability that Wenco championed, represents the beginning of a framework that could eventually mandate certain levels of OEM cooperation.

Several factors are driving this shift:

Industry Pressure

Mining companies operating mixed fleets are increasingly vocal about the need for choice. The ability to select best-of-breed solutions for each layer of the autonomous stack—from drive-by-wire systems to fleet management platforms—is becoming a competitive necessity.

Technological Evolution

The Retrofit Market Opportunity

As one industry report notes: "Interoperability refers to the capacity of two or more systems, components or processes to exchange information and perform actions based on it." The lack of standards is seen as "one of the challenges for the wide adoption of autonomous drills and future zero-entry mines."

Economic Reality

With over 95% of mining equipment still not autonomous, the retrofit market represents a massive opportunity. OEMs that facilitate rather than fight this transition may find themselves better positioned for the future.

Conclusion: Cooperation by Choice or Necessity?

The question of how much OEM involvement is needed for autonomous retrofits has both technical and philosophical answers. Technically, retrofit providers have proven they can work around OEM limitations, though access to proprietary information would make integration safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective.

Philosophically, the industry stands at a crossroads. The closed-stack approach offers OEMs control and recurring revenue but limits mining companies' flexibility and may slow overall autonomous adoption. The open autonomy approach promises faster innovation, greater competition, and more choice for mine operators but requires OEMs to reimagine their business models.

In the spirit of true interoperability and open autonomy, the ideal scenario isn't about forcing OEMs to reveal trade secrets but creating frameworks where cooperation benefits all parties. As the mining industry pushes toward its autonomous future, the OEMs that recognize retrofitting as an opportunity rather than a threat may find themselves leading rather than following the transformation.

The retrofitting of that Komatsu HD1500 in Australia isn't just about one truck or one mine—it's about proving that the future of mining can be both autonomous and open, where innovation comes not from vendor lock-in but from the creative collaboration of an entire industry ecosystem working toward safer, more efficient, and more sustainable mining operations.