Epiroc has partnered with Luck Stone to deploy the first fully autonomous SmartROC D65 drill rig in the United States, and the first fully autonomous surface drill for the global quarry market.
The SmartROC D65 MKII can execute entire drill patterns without an operator in the cab. The rig meets Global Mining Guidelines Group Level 4 standards for full autonomy and is supervised remotely through Epiroc’s Common Automation Panel and Link Open Autonomy platform for data integration and fleet management.
Luck Stone, an early adopter of autonomous technologies, views the project as a step toward improving safety, productivity and workforce development. Dealer James River Equipment supported delivery and will provide ongoing training and service.
The deployment highlights how automation is advancing in the U.S. aggregates market, with potential to enhance safety, optimize fleets and help address labor shortages. Epiroc and Luck Stone plan to share performance data with the industry after implementation.
