Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Mining Industry to Lose Dominance as Demand for Automated Trucks Evolves

The global automated truck market is projected to reach a valuation of $2 billion by 2027, research finds, expanding at a CAGR of approximately 55% during the forecast period. 

December 20, 2019
Mining Industry to Lose Dominance as Demand for Automated Trucks Evolves

The Cat 793F is one truck used currently in the mining industry.

Photo: Caterpillar

4 min to read


According to a new market intelligence report from Transparency Market Research, the global automated truck market is projected to reach a valuation of $2 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of approximately 55% during the forecast period. 

In terms of truck type, the automated truck market has been segmented into cab-integrated and cabless trucks. The cab-integrated segment held a major share of the automated truck market, as currently, most of the testing is carried out on cab-integrated trucks only, and cabless trucks are only showcased by manufacturers and have not still been tested successfully.

Ad Loading...

Additionally, the arrival of automated trucks is expected after 2022; till then, the cab-integrated segment is projected to gain high popularity. Moreover, the high cost of cabless truck is likely to hinder the cabless segment in the automated truck market. 

Based on vehicle class, the automated truck market has been divided into Class 8 and Class 9 and ultra class. The Class 8 and Class 9 is a highly promising segment, owing to its widespread utilization in the logistics industry, while ultra-class trucks are only used in the mining industry to carry large amounts of materials such as coal, ore, and overburden from pits.

The demand for haul trucks in the mining industry is significantly lower than that of trucks for the logistics industry, according to the report, which, in turn, is anticipated to propel the Class 8 and Class 9 segment of the automated truck market during the forecast period. 

In terms of end-use industry, the logistics segment is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace, and is likely to generate higher revenue than the mining segment, owing to the large consumer base for trucks in the logistics industry as compared to the mining industry. 

Key Drivers of the Automated Truck Market

  • The automated truck market in North America is projected to expand at a high pace due to the significant shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. and Canada.

  • Automated trucks can work for longer durations without any break, and hence, result in higher work efficiency.

  • Low investments towards drivers and fuel with high work efficiency result in low operating costs for transportation companies. Thus, the rate of adoption of automated trucks is expected to be significantly high in the near future.

  • High investments for the automation of mines by large mining companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are anticipated to boost the demand for automated haul trucks to be used in the mining industry. 

In terms of autonomy level, the automated truck market has been segregated into level 3, level 4, and level 5. Level 3 represents the partial automation of trucks, such as truck platooning. Level 4 represents trucks that are autonomous and require the assistance of a driver only for a few functions, while level 5 trucks are completely autonomous and do not require the assistance of a driver. Level 5 trucks for the logistics industry are under development; however, automated trucks for the mining industry are included in the level 5 segment.

Ad Loading...

Consequently, the segment initially is expected to account for a high share of the automated truck market, while the level 3 segment is projected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period, due to the rising popularity of truck platooning across the logistics industry. 

Regional Overview of the Automated Truck Market

  • In terms of region, the global automated truck market has been segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Asia Pacific leads the global automated truck market.

  • Asia Pacific dominated the automated truck market due to the presence of Australia in the region, which has significantly large and highly advanced mines in the world. In 2018, the country adopted a large number of automated haul trucks. Furthermore, the demand for automated trucks in the logistics industry is likely to rise in countries such as Japan, Singapore, and China, due to the presence of large logistics and transport industries in these countries. The decline in the young and working population in Japan is anticipated to rapidly boost the adoption of automated trucks in the country in the near future. 

According to the report, the global automated truck market is likely to be driven by a range of macroeconomic and industry-specific factors. Asia Pacific is expected to be at the forefront of global demand, with the automated truck market in the region expanding at a CAGR ofapproximately 40% between 2019 and 2027. 

Automated trucks are anticipated to notably impact the logistics and mining industries, owing to extensive utilization of automated haul trucks in mines and rising investments by key truck manufacturers and technology companies in the development of autonomous trucks for the logistics industry.

Moreover, the rising inclination of the automotive industry toward vehicle connectivity and intelligent transportation has prompted manufacturers to focus on the development of autonomous trucks. 

More Operations

Promotional graphic for Work Truck TruckChat’s “Shades of Fleet: Pride in Motion” series featuring a close-up of a moving truck tire on a highway at sunset, bold white lettering, and subtle rainbow motion graphics on the right side.
Operationsby Lauren FletcherMay 22, 2026

Work Truck Seeks Industry Voices for ‘Shades of Fleet: Pride in Motion’

Share your story in Work Truck’s new “Shades of Fleet” video series, spotlighting real voices, experiences, and perspectives across fleet.

Read More →
An infographic from Verisk’s CargoNet shows cargo theft trends for Memorial Day weekend, including 221 reported incidents, the top-targeted states, common theft locations, commodity types, and an estimated total loss value exceeding $27 million.
OperationsMay 22, 2026

Verisk CargoNet Warns of Selective Cargo Theft Targeting During Memorial Day Period 2026

Verisk CargoNet analysts are observing a broader shift in cargo theft behavior and expect elevated holiday theft risk during the Memorial Day period, which runs through next Wednesday, May 27.

Read More →
Shades of Fleet Veterans in Fleet graphic with American flags and Work Truck branding highlighting military veterans’ impact on fleet leadership and operations
Operationsby Lauren FletcherMay 19, 2026

Call for Voices: Inviting Veterans in Fleet to Share Their Stories

Veterans in fleet, it's your turn! share how military experience shapes leadership, discipline, and real-world decision-making across today’s operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Lauren Fletcher poses beside a bold “Truck Chat Weekly Cheat Sheet” graphic featuring this week’s topics: reliability, rising fleet salaries, and right-sized engines against a moving truck background.
Operationsby Lauren FletcherMay 18, 2026

Fleet Reliability, Rising Salaries, and Right-Sized Engines | Weekly Cheat Sheet

Fleet manager salaries, truck reliability, Cummins’ X10 engine, GM Fleet vans, diesel trends, and more in this week’s Truck Chat recap.

Read More →
Podcast thumbnail for The Chatty Chassis with Lauren Fletcher featuring the headline “Fleet Doesn’t Really Retire. It Rewires.” alongside a desk scene with a coffee mug reading “Not Retired. Rewired.”, fleet truck photos, and a notebook listing experience, perspective, purpose, and staying in the game.
OperationsMay 13, 2026

Fleet Doesn’t Really Retire: It Rewires.

Fleet professionals don’t really retire. They rewire. A look at why fleet experience, mentorship, and purpose never fully leave the industry.

Read More →
Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.
SponsoredMay 13, 2026

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Lessons that last with Carl Nelson on a historical backround
Operationsby Lauren FletcherMay 12, 2026

What One 40-Year Fleet Career Can Teach You Today

What can a 40-year fleet career teach you today Learn practical lessons on leadership, drivers, and decision-making from Carl Nelson’s experience

Read More →
Lauren Fletcher poses beside a bold “Truck Chat Weekly Cheat Sheet” graphic featuring headlines about AI, technician insights, and fleet industry changes against a moving truck background.
Operationsby Lauren FletcherMay 11, 2026

Why Human Storytelling Still Wins, Plus AI and Fleet Shifts | Weekly Cheat Sheet

AI in fleet, technician realities, diesel trends, GM Fleet vans, and the end of the International CV Series in this week’s Truck Chat recap.

Read More →
Graphic for a Work Truck feature article titled “Everyone Thinks They’re a Fleet Manager.” The image shows bold white and red typography beside a notebook labeled “Fleet Reality” with checklist items including control costs, reduce downtime, manage risk, and keep people moving, surrounded by charts, a calculator, and office workspace materials.
Operationsby Lauren FletcherMay 8, 2026

Everyone Thinks They’re a Fleet Manager

From oil changes to procurement decisions, fleet work is often underestimated by the very people who depend on it most. Bob Stanton makes the case for why communication, not just technical expertise, is one of the most important leadership skills in fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic announcing a Daimler Truck North America leadership update featuring President and CEO John O’Leary smiling with arms crossed against a blue background, alongside Work Truck branding and title text.
OperationsMay 8, 2026

Daimler Truck Extends O’Leary’s Leadership of DTNA Through 2028

Daimler Truck Holding AG has reappointed John O’Leary to lead DTNA as president and CEO through the end of 2028. He first assumed the role in 2021.

Read More →