First Moonlander Electric Bulldozer with 15-Foot Remote Blade

Key Takeaways

1. Lumina has developed the Moonlander, the first battery-operated 32-ton bulldozer, capable of moving up to nine cubic meters of material daily.
2. The Moonlander features a 15-foot blade, pushing double the material of traditional bulldozers, and has a footprint similar to a midsize Caterpillar D6.
3. Equipped with 750 HP electric motors, the bulldozer can operate for up to ten hours on a single charge and charges rapidly, reaching 80% in 50 minutes.
4. The bulldozer includes remote operation capabilities with 360-degree cameras, allowing for operation in challenging terrains and can receive updates over-the-air (OTA).
5. Lumina’s strategy focuses on developing both hardware and software in-house, aiming for potential autonomous features using Nvidia chips and various sensors.

Lumina, a startup focused on electric construction machinery, has created a prototype for the first battery-operated 32-ton bulldozer, capable of moving up to nine cubic meters of material each day.

Introducing the Moonlander

This innovative bulldozer, named the Moonlander, features a 15-foot blade that can push double the amount of a traditional bulldozer. It has the same footprint as a midsize Caterpillar D6 but can handle the load of a larger Caterpillar D9 machine, showcasing its impressive capabilities.

Specifications and Charging

The Lumina Moonlander is equipped with electric motors that deliver 750 HP and can operate for as long as ten hours on a single charge thanks to regenerative braking technology. The bulldozer charges rapidly, reaching 80% in just 50 minutes when using a 300 kW charger and takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to reach full charge. A quick 30-minute charge can bring a drained battery back to 50%.

With its electric motors running, the Moonlander operates quietly, with sounds primarily coming from its 36-inch steel tracks and the material being moved, as shown in the video of the prototype below.

Remote Operation Features

This first 32-ton electric bulldozer includes 360-degree cameras, enabling it to be operated remotely in challenging terrains or dangerous environments. Furthermore, the remote control system can be enhanced through over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Several major construction equipment companies, like Liebherr and Caterpillar, are developing electric mining trucks, dozers, and excavators, but these are typically retrofits of their diesel versions. For instance, Australia’s Fortescue is gradually replacing its 240-ton Liebherr T 264 haul trucks with an electric version that converts the diesel engine into a large 1.9 MWh battery pack.

A Unique Approach

Lumina has chosen to emulate Tesla by developing both the hardware and software in-house, allowing for the potential introduction of autonomous features in the electric bulldozer. This approach utilizes Nvidia chips and a variety of sensors that will be integrated into the machine. According to Lumina’s founder:

“Waymo created all their sensors from scratch. Tesla built a car from scratch. And to achieve significant market penetration, I believe we must adopt the same strategy instead of just using off-the-shelf components.”

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