Autonomous mining trucks, house-sized giants that operate without anyone in the cabin, have already moved more than 8.6 billion tons of rock and ore in mines around the world, and the manufacturer behind them ensures that all this mountain was transported without a single recorded injury. The number comes from the command system that pilots the largest fleet of autonomous mining trucks on the planet, operated by one of the American heavy machinery giants. Today, there are hundreds of these vehicles working in dozens of mines spread across three continents, all guided by software, radars, and satellite, without a driver inside. And what is most impressive is not just the amount moved, but the fact that it was achieved without any accident with casualties. 8.6 billion tons, more than a thousand pyramids It’s hard to grasp the size of this number, so a comparison is worthwhile. The Great Pyramid of Giza weighs about 5.9 million tons. The 8.6 billion tons already moved by these trucks are equivalent to transporting more than 1,400 Great Pyramids entirely from one place to another. And each vehicle is colossal: the largest mining trucks carry almost 400 tons per trip, with tires taller than an adult person. Inside, the autonomous trucks manage with a combination of high-precision GPS, radars, laser sensors, and a central control that communicates with each vehicle in real-time. They see obstacles, avoid each other, and stop on their own if someone or something crosses in front, all without a steering wheel turning. The technology began to be tested in the last decade and has been scaling mine by mine, and is already preparing to reach smaller models and medium-sized operations. In practice, an entire mine can operate in the dark because the machine doesn’t need to see like we do. -