Kyocera to market laser-based sensors for autonomous mining machines

Japanese electronics maker looks to reap $20m in sales amid tough competition

Self-driving mining equipment from Komatsu and others use lidar sensors to detect objects. (Komatsu)

KOSUKE TSUNODA

April 5, 2025 01:24 JST

KYOTO, Japan -- Japanese electronics manufacturer Kyocera has developed a lidar sensor to be installed in self-driving mining equipment, looking to begin sales in the next fiscal year.

Kyocera's high-performance sensor will help autonomous mining vehicles detect objects, along with detection by cameras. Lidar sensors use pulses of laser light to determine the presence, shape and distance of objects.