Komatsu has introduced a groundbreaking lunar excavator concept, designed to support future missions for building bases on the Moon’s surface.

🌌 Innovating for the Moon

The project is part of the government-backed Stardust initiative, which focuses on developing autonomous construction technologies for extraterrestrial environments.

🔧 Digital Twin Technology

Komatsu leverages digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of real systems and simulate their behavior. This enables precise testing of the excavator in conditions mimicking lunar gravity, terrain, and temperature.

🌀 Engineering Challenges

With lunar gravity being just one-sixth of Earth’s, traditional digging faces limitations due to insufficient force. To address this:

  • Extended Tracks: The excavator is equipped with additional auxiliary track sections for enhanced stability and terrain adaptability.
  • Electric Drives: Powered by batteries or fuel cells, the machine is designed for high autonomy.

🤖 Autonomous Operation

The excavator will autonomously navigate to its destination, avoid obstacles, and begin operations. It will work alongside Komatsu’s multi-functional lunar dump truck, which will transport excavated regolith away from construction sites.

🔋 Collaborative Machines

The fleet will feature advanced interaction capabilities, such as mutual battery recharging when power levels are low.

Komatsu is actively shaping the future of lunar construction, blending innovation with autonomy to make extraterrestrial building projects a reality