Komatsu actively promotes research and development activities for new technologies and products consistent with its commitment to provide "Quality and Reliability".
Positioned as the central R&D base for the entire Komatsu group of companies, the Research Division conducts R&D activities for the corporate group by working closely with individual research and development departments of its business divisions such as construction, mining and utility equipment, industrial machinery general headquarters, and technology departments of Komatsu's subsidiaries and affiliates.

Note: Starting in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, Komatsu changed its business segments, and thus some figures for the fiscal years, ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, are presented after reclassifying according to the new segmentation.

(1) Construction, Mining and Utility Equipment
Komatsu has been engaged in the research and development of information technologies, including the sophisticated measurement method, remote control of machine location and operation data, tool and equipment control and artificial intelligence.
Komatsu has made advances in research and development relating to energy conservation, component recycling and reuse, the evaluation of environmental load through life cycle assessment ("LCA") techniques, development of hybrid system and preparations for emission standards at the next stage based on the belief that it can reduce environmental burdens while achieving economic efficiency. Komatsu continues to work on working safety, reduction of noise and vibration of machines and higher comfortability of machine operators, which led to the development of new products.

(2) Industrial Machinery and Others
In the field of industrial machinery, Komatsu has focused on functional enhancements and increasing automation of peripheral equipment in order to respond to the growing customer need to raise the productivity and flexibility of large presses, sheet-metal forging equipment, machine tools and manufacturing equipment for semiconductors and solar sell industries.

Award
February 2009, the hybrid excavator "PC200-8 Hybrid" was awarded "Nikkei Industrial Paper Award for Nikkei Excellent Product/Service Award 2008". The "PC200-8 Hybrid" was highly appreciated because of its advanced technologies that enable to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact.