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Daimler Truck makes strategic investment in Apex.AI

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Apex.AI, a company developing safety-certified software for mobility and autonomous applications, says that Daimler Truck, one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has made a strategic minority investment in the company.

Apex.AI has developed an industry-leading suite of automotive safety-certified software solutions, including the Apex.OS operating system.

The software suite serves as the foundational infrastructure on which smart machines operate in the automotive, agriculture, mining, IoT and industrial automation industries. [Read more…] about Daimler Truck makes strategic investment in Apex.AI

Kodiak Robotics demonstrates new safety technology for autonomous trucks

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Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving trucking company, says it has become the first company to publicly demonstrate a “fallback” system, which can autonomously pull a self-driving truck over to the side of the road in the event of a truck or system failure. (See video below.)

The ability to perform a safe, reliable fallback, otherwise known as having the vehicle assume a minimal risk condition, is critical to safely deploying driverless trucks on public roads.

Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak, says: “To launch an autonomous vehicle without a human driver, you must ensure the vehicle will protect motorists in the case of a truck or autonomous system failure. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics demonstrates new safety technology for autonomous trucks

Embark and US Xpress partner to build nationwide terminal network for autonomous trucks

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Embark Trucks, a developer of autonomous technology for the trucking industry, says US Xpress has joined the Embark Partner Development Program and plans to add its terminals to the Embark Coverage Map.

This partnership marks a significant milestone by adding a fleet’s properties into an autonomous truck developer’s transfer point network.

Embark pioneered the transfer point model in 2019 when the company unveiled its first sites in Los Angeles and Phoenix. Transfer points are used to move freight from driverless, long-haul trucks to driver-enabled trucks for first- and last-mile delivery. [Read more…] about Embark and US Xpress partner to build nationwide terminal network for autonomous trucks

Kodiak Robotics and US Xpress to pilot new autonomous truck route

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Kodiak Robotics, a developer of self-driving trucks, has teamed up with US Xpress, one of America’s largest carrier fleets, to launch Level 4 autonomous freight service between Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta using Kodiak’s self-driving trucks.

US Xpress will become the first cornerstone truckload partner in Kodiak’s Partner Deployment Program, working hand-in-hand with Kodiak to deploy self-driving technology.

This strategic partnership also marks the launch of the first commercial autonomous trucking lane to the East Coast. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics and US Xpress to pilot new autonomous truck route

Automation Isn’t About to Make Truckers Obsolete

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The rapid development of technology has changed the way businesses work. With robotics, AI, and machine learning gaining immense popularity, many think these will replace employees in completing the work tasks.

The trucking industry is one of the sectors impacted by the latest technologies. Therefore, many worry that truck driving jobs will disappear due to automation.

The innovation of self-driving vehicles might change the work process, and many speculate that advanced machines will replace truck drivers. Some predict that up to 3 million driving jobs might disappear due to automation. [Read more…] about Automation Isn’t About to Make Truckers Obsolete

Aurora Innovation and US Xpress partner to develop driverless truck networks

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Aurora Innovation, a startup developing driverless trucks, is partnering with US Xpress, one of America’s largest asset-based truckload carriers.

The two companies say the collaboration will explore the implementation of the Aurora Driver auonomous truck platform within US Xpress operations.

This strategic collaboration is designed to fine-tune Aurora’s autonomous Driver-as-a-Service product, Aurora Horizon, for efficient installation at commercial scale. [Read more…] about Aurora Innovation and US Xpress partner to develop driverless truck networks

Volvo, Daimler, and Traton partner to build high-performance charging network

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Europe’s three leading commercial vehicle manufacturers – Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and Traton Group – have signed a binding agreement to create a joint venture to install and operate a high-performance public charging network for battery electric, heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches across Europe.

As previously publicised, the parties are committed to initiating and accelerating the necessary build-up of charging infrastructure for the increasing number of customers of electric vehicles in Europe and contribute to climate-neutral transportation in Europe by 2050.

The joint venture creation is subject to regulatory approvals. [Read more…] about Volvo, Daimler, and Traton partner to build high-performance charging network

Advanced technology adoption will make Indian roads ‘accident-proof’

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A relatively new company called Hi Tech Robotic Systemz (THRSL) says India’s Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s vision for Indian roads will make vehicles “accident-proof”.

In a recent meeting of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), the minister advocated for fixed driving hours for commercial truck drivers like that of pilots, as well as a policy mandating on-board sleep detection sensors in commercial vehicles to reduce road accidents in India and give relief to truck drivers.

The logistics sector, which is a key enabler and the backbone of any growing economy, is primarily dependent on drivers who operate for long hours in tough working conditions. [Read more…] about Advanced technology adoption will make Indian roads ‘accident-proof’

Seegrid gives select customers early access to its new autonomous lift truck

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Seegrid, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for material handling, is giving select customers early access to Seegrid Palion Lift AMR, the company’s newest AMR – and “the only autonomous lift truck with 3D perception in the industry”.

The select customers receiving first priority access to the highly anticipated Palion Lift are part of the Seegrid Technology Early-Access Program (STEP).

Participants in STEP receive a dedicated Seegrid team, gain exclusive opportunities to experience and provide feedback on new Seegrid technology, obtain insights into product roadmaps, and have the ability to impact innovative new products like the Palion Lift, an AMR that uniquely addresses major supply chain challenges. [Read more…] about Seegrid gives select customers early access to its new autonomous lift truck

Baidu DeepWay unveils autonomous truck

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DeepWay, a Baidu-backed company, has unveiled Xingtu, a smart new energy heavy-duty truck with a computing power of more than 500 teraflops per second and ultra-long-distance sensing capabilities of more than 1 kilometer.

This launch marks Baidu’s entry into the multi-trillion dollar global freight market.

Powered by Baidu’s globally recognized AI technology stack and the Baidu Apollo autonomous driving platform, Xingtu is a prime example of the next generation vehicles we will see in the smart driving era. [Read more…] about Baidu DeepWay unveils autonomous truck