The two partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding enabling Rolls-Royce to offer autonomous-compatible, Mobius-ready MTU engine solutions for equipment in a wide range of mining applications.

With its brand MTU, Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems provides advanced power solutions for a wide variety of applications, including mining equipment. ASI Mining develops and sells high-tech autonomous solutions for mining equipment and other machinery in a wide range of applications.

The companies plan to leverage their extensive experiences to offer customers engine solutions that are compatible with ASI's vehicle automation software to help optimise vehicle power performance and efficiency, thus enabling more environmentally friendly and safer mining operations.

Scott Woodruff, global director for mining and oil & gas at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: "We are excited to shape the mining industry's future together with ASI and further leverage our advanced MTU technologies. Together we will offer our customers integrated future-oriented autonomous solutions. This agreement may help mining operators save big on operational costs and at the same time, reduce their environmental footprint by cutting emissions."

Drew Larsen, director of business development for ASI Mining, said: "We are excited to start these discussions with Rolls-Royce Power Systems. This is another testament to the interoperability of Mobius and real value it adds to our mining customers."

One potential benefit to customers of Rolls-Royce and ASI Mining may be the ability to retrofit the power system on existing haul trucks and convert them to autonomous operation. The companies are interested in exploring the value customers would receive by modernising their trucks with more efficient MTU engines along with implementation of ASI's autonomous mining solutions. The customers could thus save on operating costs and further benefit from the increased performance of the autonomously optimised MTU engines.