Komatsu is developing an autonomous excavator to operate on the moon.
Created: 2023-01-11
Updated: 2024-02-24
Company - Komatsu
Product/Service
- Classification
- Surface Spacecraft
- Category
- Commercial Rover
Space Construction Company
Space Construction Equipment
- Status
- Concept, Development
- First launch
- Not announced
Japan's Space construction innovation project, 2021-2025
- Research and Development for Lunar Construction Equipment using Digital Twin Technology
- Because of the difficulty of reproducing a lunar environment on the Earth, it is essential to develop “digital twin technology” that accurately simulates the lunar construction equipment and its workspaces. In this R&D, we add the necessary functions for developing lunar construction equipment and unmanned autonomous construction technology and improve the accuracy of the simulator developed at the F/S in FY2021 and use the simulator to study lunar construction equipment. In addition, we use the knowledge achieved in this R&D for upgrading construction equipment and construction on the Earth.
- We improve the accuracy of the simulator for an excavator operating in cyberspace created in FY2021 and respond to the addition of functions necessary for the study of lunar construction equipment and the change of the shape and size of construction equipment. We use this simulator to examine how to solve the issues extracted for lunar construction equipment and verify the validity and feasibility of the measures.
- Technology classification: Construction equipment and construction
- Komatsu aims to develop a hydraulic excavator to drill into the surface of the moon. The research and development is being conducted in a computer simulation of the lunar environment. This is the company’s first space exploration project.
- Drawing on this experience, the land ministry and others embarked on a project in 2021 to help develop technologies to enable unmanned construction in outer space. This fiscal year, the ministry spent a budget of ¥500 million for 12 projects separately implemented by general contractors, universities and other organizations, to promote lunar exploration. Komatsu’s project is one of the 12. With an eye on building a base as early as 2030, the ministry plans to verify the feasibility of each project and other issues by 2025.
Komatsu targets unmanned Lunar construction innovations, 2021-11-21
- 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.
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