China-based mining company Rio Tinto has begun using the world's first fully-fledged autonomous train. The company is expected to enter a different sector with this activity outside the mining sector. A historic step was taken when the train transferred freight on a 100-kilometer road without a person in any wagon.
One of the most established professions in the history of transportation, mechanics is history. After autonomous cars, the line came to the trains, which were the sole rulers of the railway. The world's largest train journey in Western Australia, the first train service without machinists took place.
Train without machinery
We are delighted to lead this autonomous technology that will provide a long-term competitive advantage when building future mines, said Chris Salisbury, Chairman of Rio Tinto. He said that with our current workforce, we are preparing new lines of work that will become a part of our industry.
Rio Tinto's first expedition for iron ores in Pilbara, Western Australia, was the first step of the company. In fact, autonomous trains have been used since the beginning of 2017, but in any case the machinists were in charge.
Rio Tinto wants to have a fully autonomous train fleet by 2018. However, first of all Australia will have to get approval from its legal authorities.
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