Epiroc and Luck Stone Deploy First Fully Autonomous Drill in U.S.
BY Epiroc
Marking a historic milestone, Epiroc, Stockholm, Sweden, has partnered with Luck Stone, a division of Luck Companies, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, to deploy the first fully autonomous SmartROC D65 drill rig in the United States. The SmartROC D65 MKII is equipped with Epiroc’s advanced automation technology and is capable of executing complete drill patterns without an operator in the cab, according to the manufacturer.
Compliant with the Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG) Level 4 standard for full autonomy, the rig operates under remote supervision via Epiroc’s Common Automation Panel (CAP) and Link Open Autonomy (LinkOA) platform, to enable seamless data integration and fleet management.
Luck Stone views automation as a strategic investment in safety, operational excellence and talent attraction.
“Luck Stone’s leadership and commitment demonstrate that autonomy in quarries isn’t future vision—it’s current reality,” said Ron Hankins, business line manager at Epiroc USA. “Our partnership is not about a proof-of-concept, it’s about meaningful operational gains that the next generation of drilling will bring in the U.S.”
Luck Stone, which is known for over 100 years of innovations including its early adoption of autonomous plants and autonomous haulage systems (AHS), continues to set the pace for innovation in the industry, and the company views automation as a strategic investment in safety, operational excellence and talent attraction.
“Our philosophy has always been about doing the work in the best possible way,” said Chuck Stilson, senior director of engineering at Luck Stone. “Partnering with Epiroc on autonomous drilling aligns perfectly with that vision. We’re not only improving productivity and safety, we’re providing new opportunities for our associates and rethinking what’s possible in aggregates.”
James River Equipment, an Epiroc dealer, played a key role in facilitating delivery of the SmartROC D65 MKII and will be instrumental in providing the ongoing local service, training and technical support that are essential to ensuring the project’s long-term success.
The U.S. aggregate market is the largest globally and presents significant growth potential for autonomous technologies. Utilizing the same automation platform proven in mining, the SmartROC D65 MKII makes it easy for any operation to scale toward full autonomy, according to the manufacturer. By enhancing operational safety, optimizing machine fleet size, and addressing skilled labor shortages, this deployment represents a transformative shift in how quarries can operate.
Both Epiroc and Luck Stone have committed to sharing performance data following the implementation period, offering valuable insights for the broader industry and paving the way for future advancements in automation.