Hitachi and Pronto Partner to Advance Open Mine Automation Solutions

Industry Milestone: Hitachi and Pronto Sign Strategic Partnership for Open Automation

Hitachi Construction Machinery and Pronto have signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership aimed at advancing open mine automation solutions. The collaboration combines Hitachi‘s deep expertise in mining equipment and operations with Pronto’s OEM-agnostic Autonomous Haulage System, creating automation solutions that can be adapted to different mine sites while supporting existing equipment from multiple manufacturers. The partnership reflects a growing recognition across the mining industry that operators want automation that works with the fleets they already own, rather than being locked into a closed, single-vendor ecosystem. Anthony Levandowski, CEO of Pronto, stated that mine operators have been clear: they want automation that works with the fleets they already own, not another closed, single-vendor ecosystem. Masafumi Senzaki, President of Hitachi Construction Machinery, noted that the partnership represents an important step in realizing the desire embodied in the “O” of LANDCROS—to openly co-create new businesses and value with customers and partners across the mining industry. While such integrated automation platforms represent significant engineering achievements, OCP Mechanical Company recognises that not every operation requires the scale or investment associated with these premium systems. With over 40 years of manufacturing experience, we offer practical, cost-effective crushing solutions tailored to medium-capacity operations, backed by factory-direct pricing and round-the-clock technical support.

Pronto‘s OEM-Agnostic AHS: Retrofitting Existing Fleets for Autonomy

Pronto is the global leader in OEM-agnostic Autonomous Haulage Systems. Its industry-first tiered AHS portfolio retrofits onto existing haul trucks from any manufacturer and scales from regional quarries to ultra-class, deep-pit operations. The system uses advanced sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to autonomously operate haul trucks in complex and dynamic environments, and has been deployed across commercial mixed-fleet mining operations on three continents. The retrofit approach is built around a drive-by-wire kit that can actuate virtually any vehicle with precision, combined with ruggedised hardware tested to withstand extreme industrial conditions, including 10G shock and temperatures ranging from -40°C to +85°C. The system also includes all-stop buttons in manually operated equipment that interacts with the autonomous fleet, ensuring safe coexistence between autonomous and conventional machines. For mining companies operating Brownfield sites, this retrofit capability eliminates the need for a complete fleet replacement, allowing operators to implement automation in stages as budgets and operational priorities allow. Pronto‘s systems have autonomously hauled millions of tons in commercial mixed-fleet operations, with production deployments spanning three continents.

LANDCROS Connect: Unified Fleet Management for Mixed Brand Operations

The partnership aligns with Hitachi Construction Machinery‘s planned transition to the LANDCROS brand in April 2027, which will focus on connecting products, technologies, and partners through an open co-creation approach. A key component of this strategy is LANDCROS Connect, a brand-agnostic fleet management platform that works seamlessly with non-Hitachi branded equipment. The platform provides users with a comprehensive view of their entire fleet on one dashboard, and recent updates have added attachment monitoring and tracking and machine data-sharing among users. These features allow contractors to centrally manage attachments, understand how they are used and where they are located, and share machine information across users until specific dates. For mining operations with mixed fleets, this level of visibility enables more effective planning, improved utilisation, and better protection of equipment investments. The system is available in 38 languages and uses ISO-compliant machinery location information and operational data, making it suitable for global mining operations.

Proven at Scale: Two Million Tons Hauled Autonomously in Eight Months

The practical value of Pronto‘s autonomous haulage technology has been validated at commercial scale. In a landmark deployment at Heidelberg Materials‘ Lake Bridgeport quarry in Texas, a mixed fleet of Caterpillar and Komatsu haul trucks equipped with Pronto‘s Autonomous Haulage System autonomously hauled more than two million tons of limestone in less than eight months. This achievement represents a significant milestone in the digitization of the aggregates industry and demonstrates that autonomous haulage is not limited to the largest mines—it is practical and affordable for quarries of all sizes. The Lake Bridgeport deployment served as the operational foundation for a global agreement between Pronto and Heidelberg Materials announced in February 2025, which will see Pronto‘s AHS deployed to more than 100 trucks operating across more than a dozen sites worldwide. The system‘s rollout will be expanded across North America, Europe, and APAC, with the company benefiting from standardised operating models, fast simultaneous implementation in different regions, and knowledge transfer across teams.

What This Means for the Crushing and Screening Sector

The move toward open, retrofit-based automation in haulage has direct implications for the crushing and screening sector. As haul fleets become autonomous, the material delivery to the primary crusher becomes more consistent and predictable, enabling crushing circuits to operate closer to their design capacity with fewer interruptions. Autonomous haulage systems also generate continuous data on material flow, grade, and cycle times, which can be integrated with crusher control systems to optimise throughput and reduce energy consumption. For quarry operators, this trend underscores the importance of selecting crushing equipment that is compatible with modern monitoring and control systems and capable of operating reliably with minimal human intervention. The same principles that make Pronto‘s retrofit approach attractive for haulage—flexibility, scalability, and compatibility with existing equipment—apply equally to the crushing circuit. OCP Mechanical Company‘s jaw crushers, cone crushers, impact crushers, VSI crushers, vibrating screens, feeders, and complete crushing and screening plants are engineered for compatibility with modern automation platforms, with optional packages that provide real-time performance data for predictive maintenance and process optimisation.

OCP Mechanical Company: Factory-Direct Crushing Solutions for the Automation Era

While major suppliers continue to advance automation and digital integration, OCP Mechanical Company remains focused on delivering reliable, cost-effective equipment for the mid-tier market. With over 40 years of manufacturing experience and exports to more than 180 countries and regions worldwide, we have earned a reputation for durability, performance, and value. Our product range includes jaw crushers, cone crushers, impact crushers, VSI crushers, vibrating screens, feeders, and complete crushing and screening plants—all brand-new and built to rigorous quality standards. We understand that the transition to autonomous operations is a gradual process, and that different operations have different starting points. Some are ready to invest in fully integrated automation systems, while others require proven mechanical reliability with the flexibility to add automation capabilities as their operations evolve. OCP serves both segments with equipment that delivers consistent throughput, low operating costs, and reliable performance. As a direct factory manufacturer, we eliminate distributor margins, passing the savings directly to you. Our engineering team works closely with each customer to design custom crushing plants that match specific site conditions, feed characteristics, and production targets—whether you are operating a traditional quarry or planning for the autonomous mine of the future.

Complete Crushing Solutions and After-Sales Support

A crushing plant is most effective when integrated into a complete processing line designed for efficiency and reliability. OCP Mechanical Company supplies complete crushing and screening plants that include vibrating feeders, primary jaw crushers, secondary cone crushers or impact crushers, and vibrating screens for classification. Every component is matched to your capacity requirements, preventing bottlenecks and ensuring smooth continuous operation across multiple shifts. Our after-sales support includes remote diagnostics, spare parts delivery, and wear-part prediction services to minimise downtime and extend equipment life. With the global mining industry moving decisively toward automation and data-driven operations, ensuring your crushing plant is designed for compatibility with modern control and monitoring systems is essential to long-term competitiveness. Our team is available to assist with installation supervision, commissioning, and ongoing operational questions.

Your Next Step: Get a Custom Quote for Your Operation

The Hitachi-Pronto partnership marks a significant step toward making autonomous haulage practical and affordable for mining operations of all sizes. By combining Hitachi‘s mining equipment expertise with Pronto’s OEM-agnostic automation technology and LANDCROS Connect‘s mixed-fleet management capabilities, the collaboration gives Brownfield operations a practical, staged pathway to autonomy without requiring a complete fleet replacement. For quarry operators and mining companies, the crushing circuit remains the foundation of the processing plant—and selecting the right equipment partner is critical to success. OCP Mechanical Company offers factory-direct, high-quality crushing and screening solutions engineered for durability, energy efficiency, and compatibility with modern automation platforms—all at competitive prices. Our online customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide free consultations, updated price references, and equipment selection guidance. Click the chat button now to discuss your project with a specialist—we are ready to help you build a more efficient and profitable processing operation.