Universal Field Robots :: OEM-Agnostic Autonomous Systems for Mining, Resources, Construction & Other Outdoor Industries

Universal Field Robots is an Australia-based robotics and automation company that develops OEM-agnostic autonomous systems for mining, resources, construction, and other outdoor industries. Headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland, the company was founded in 2015 with the goal of bringing fully autonomous, industrial-scale robots to market. Its solutions focus on retrofitting or augmenting existing equipment with robust autonomy to improve safety, productivity, and sustainability in harsh environments.

At the centre of Universal Field Robots’ offering is UFR Autonomy (UFRautonomy™), a modular and proven automation platform. It combines hardware (LiDAR, cameras, GPS, IMU, compute), advanced perception, planning, and control software with engineering and integration services. The platform is designed to be vehicle- and OEM-agnostic, allowing rapid deployment on trucks, loaders, auxiliary equipment, and custom robotic bases without requiring entirely new fleets.

The company’s core robot-based products include:

• UFR HAULAGE: Converts underground haul trucks (such as Epiroc MT65 models) into fully autonomous vehicles. A major project with Gold Fields at the Granny Smith gold mine in Western Australia enables additional haulage cycles during shift-change and blasting periods when the mine would otherwise be empty.

• UFR AutoLog (based on the E20C 2-ton robotic platform) with the BLAST DOG™ system developed in collaboration with IMDEX. This autonomous unit drives to blast holes, verifies locations with vision, and lowers wireline sensors to collect high-resolution data for optimised drilling and blasting.

• UFR INSPECT: An autonomous ATV platform equipped with UFR Autonomy and additional sensors for infrastructure inspection. It is used for early detection of faults over long distances and has been tested at sites such as BHP Prominent Hill, with support from satellite communications like Starlink.

• UFR Deliver: Autonomous delivery of materials and components using appropriately sized platforms (ATVs or trucks) equipped with dispatch and scheduling software.

• UFR Loader: Remote and autonomous operation of a bobcat loader adapted for dangerous underground mining tasks, controlled from the surface.

• UFR AutoPrep: Robotic automation of blasthole cleaning and surveying to remove operators from hazardous overhead work.

• UFR AutoFuel: Uses the E20C robotic base with a custom attachment for unattended refuelling of haul trucks directly in the circuit.

• UFR AutoPile: Pairs an E35C robot with piling equipment (such as Vermeer excavators) for autonomous layout, handling, and installation of steel piles in solar farm construction.

These solutions target “dirty, dull, dangerous, and dear” tasks, enabling progress toward zero-entry mining and reduced human exposure. Universal Field Robots emphasises practical deployments with accelerated time-to-value and interoperable technology.

In December 2024, Sandvik completed the acquisition of Universal Field Robots. The company now operates as part of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions while maintaining its independent branding, website, and product line. This integration enhances compatibility with Sandvik’s AutoMine platform while preserving UFR’s strength in third-party and retrofittable autonomy.