Pittsburgh's Neya Systems Puts Autonomous Mining Vehicles in High Gear

Can a Pittsburgh robotics company really make massive mining trucks drive themselves — with no human behind the wheel? In this episode of Tech Vibe, Jonathan Kersting sits down with John Porter, Senior Robotics Engineer at Neya, to unpack how this Pittsburgh-based off-road autonomy company is transforming one of the world's most rugged and dangerous industries: industrial mining. From ultra-class haul trucks with 15-foot-tall tires running fully autonomous load-haul-dump cycles at a production iron ore mine in Western Australia, to building the perception systems and fleet management software that make it all possible — this is a deep dive into the engineering, the grit, and the real-world impact of autonomous mining. And yes, it's all being built right here in Pittsburgh. There are so many reasons to listen: Get an inside look at the perception systems, sensors, and path-planning algorithms that let building-sized vehicles navigate mine sites with zero human input Hear the on-the-ground story of deploying autonomous trucks in Western Australia — one of the toughest mining environments on Earth Learn how Neya's Mission Planning and Management System (MPMS) coordinates fleets of both autonomous and manned vehicles on the same site Discover why safety is the driving force behind removing humans from the cab and into remote command centers Find out what's next — from automating shovels and dozers to building fully autonomous mine ecosystems Whether you're into robotics, autonomy, industrial innovation, or just love a great Pittsburgh success story, this conversation will change how you think about the future of mining. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.