Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) is a company that provides OEM-agnostic hardware and software to retrofit vehicles for fully autonomous operation across industries like heavy construction, agriculture, and logistics. Pulse 2.0 interviewed ASI’s CEO, Mel Torrie, to learn more.
Mel Torrie’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Torrie said:
“I hold a master’s degree in electrical engineering with a minor in computer science and have spent over 25 years advancing practical robotics and autonomy in real-world industrial environments. As ASI’s CEO, I have ushered our team to become one of the most experienced autonomy companies in the world, deploying fleets of autonomous vehicles that operate safely in demanding environments such as large open-pit mines and industrial logistics sites.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Torrie shared:
“One day, I saw a wheelchair driving down a hallway in my undergrad program and started chasing it to find out who the professor was. I begged him for a job and finally landed it – – – sorting bolts in the lab. The program later paid for my graduate work. It was that hallway coincidence that really got me excited about robotics. John Deere saw a paper I wrote and ultimately asked me to start a company partnering with them on product development.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory running the company so far? Torrie reflected:
“The moment when autonomy moved from a concept to reality at large industrial sites. You talk about autonomous mining trucks and large machines operating safely at scale, hauling millions of tons of ore and driving millions of miles autonomously. It’s exciting stuff.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Torrie explained:
“Mobius is ASI’s flagship autonomy platform. It provides the core software and AI system that enables vehicles to operate without a driver. This holds true for any industry and vehicle type, so no company must expend resources purchasing a new fleet. Instead, we transform its operations with Mobius on board. In fact, ASI pioneered retrofitting autonomy onto existing machines, rather than requiring customers to buy new vehicles. Moreover, the entire fleet works together across the operation.
Key capabilities of Mobius include:
- Autonomous navigation and path planning
- Obstacle detection and avoidance
- High-precision sensor fusion (LiDAR, radar, cameras, GPS, IMU)
- Vehicle control and safety logic w/ redundant controls
- Vehicle drive-by-wire integration
- Mission execution and task automation
- Integration with OEM vehicle control systems”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently? Torrie acknowledged:
“ASI’s been trying to hire 300 product development people. We built the team with a combination of in-house recruiters, external headhunters, offshoring in Lithuania, and acquisition.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Torrie noted:
“One of the two activities in starting ASI involved developing robot vehicle platforms. This became too expensive, and we transitioned to only retrofitting. Also, we started with deterministic algorithms but have evolved into heavy AI integration.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Torrie cited:
2000 — Company Founded
- ASI is founded by Mel Torrie as a spin-off from Utah State University’s robotics research programs focused on intelligent systems and vehicle automation.
- Early work centers on precision agriculture and robotic vehicle control.
Early 2000s — DARPA & Robotics Programs
- ASI participates in major U.S. robotics and autonomous vehicle research programs, including early defense and autonomous vehicle initiatives that helped establish credibility in the autonomy field.
2013 — Bingham Canyon Mine Landslide Response
- After the massive landslide at the Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine, ASI deploys remotely controlled excavators to safely move material in unstable zones.
- This becomes an early demonstration of autonomy improving safety in heavy industry.
2014 — Major Mining Partnership
- ASI announces a multi-year partnership with Anglo American to develop autonomous haulage solutions.
- Marks ASI’s deeper expansion into large-scale mining automation.
2018 — Strategic Investment from Epiroc
- Mining equipment giant Epiroc acquires a 34% stake in ASI Mining, helping accelerate the commercialization of autonomous haulage systems.
2020 — Roy Hill Autonomous Haulage Program
- ASI Mining signs a contract with Epiroc to convert 77 haul trucks to autonomous operation at the Roy Hill iron ore mine in Australia.
- The project becomes one of the largest mixed-fleet autonomous haulage deployments in the world.
2022–2023 — Commercial Expansion of Autonomous Haulage
- Roy Hill begins expanding the Mobius-based autonomous haulage system into full production operations after successful validation phases.
2024 — Sale of ASI Mining to Epiroc
- ASI sells its ASI Mining business unit to Epiroc, allowing the mining business to scale globally while ASI focuses on other off-road autonomy markets.
2025 — Expansion into Construction Automation
- ASI launches ASI Construction, targeting automation of heavy construction equipment to address global labor shortages.
Customer Success Stories
Can you share any specific customer success stories? Torrie highlighted:
“We loved the gratitude stories shared by family members who no longer had to fly into mining camps to drive equipment but could stay in Perth, 800 miles from the mine site, and operate the equipment remotely and return to family in the evenings.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Torrie affirmed:
- 100 Year Vision. Not exit-driven. 25 years down with 75 to go.
- People first. Vision of making ASI a place you’d want to work, even if you didn’t financially need to. Made employees owners and made decisions in alignment with people first.
- Technology platform that enables rapid development of new applications. We’ve automated over 100 different vehicle types for every conceivable outdoor industrial application.
- Mobius is our production system optimization software that enables remote orchestration and supervision of hundreds of vehicles on a single site from anywhere in the world.
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Torrie emphasized
“First, financial independence for our employees and fellow owners. Second, that 100% of our people will say that ASI lived up to its mission as a people-building robot company and can truthfully say we helped them reach their potential more than any other career opportunity they had. Finally, world-leading deployment of Industrial Physical AI by market revenue share.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you would like to discuss? Torrie concluded:
“Culture is huge at ASI and one of my highest priorities!”
