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Outrider raises $65 million in Series B financing round

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Outrider, a provider of autonomous yard operations systems for logistics hubs, has closed $65 million in Series B funding, led by Koch Disruptive Technologies. Other existing investors increased their investments, including NEA, 8VC, and Prologis Ventures.

New investors included Evolv Ventures, the investment arm of Kraft Heinz, and Henry Crown and Company. With $118 million raised to date, Outrider is positioned to scale and support the rapid automation of distribution yards.

In supply-chain-intensive industries, distribution yard operations are necessary for transitioning goods between the road and the warehouse. [Read more…] about Outrider raises $65 million in Series B financing round

Daimler Trucks and Waymo partner on the development of autonomous SAE Level 4 trucks

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Daimler Trucks and Waymo have signed a broad, global, strategic partnership to implement autonomous SAE Level 4 technology. Their initial effort will combine Waymo’s industry-leading automated driver technology with a unique version of Daimler’s Freightliner Cascadia, to enable autonomous driving.

Waymo brings over a decade of experience building what it has trademarked as the “World’s Most Experienced Driver”, having driven over 20 million miles on public roads across 25 US cities and 15 billion miles in simulation.

Daimler Trucks North America, Daimler Trucks’ US subsidiary, parent company of the Freightliner brand and the US market leader in commercial vehicle manufacturing, provides their experience in developing “state-of-the art Class 8 vehicles”. [Read more…] about Daimler Trucks and Waymo partner on the development of autonomous SAE Level 4 trucks

Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics celebrate one year of successful collaboration

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September 2020 marks one year of Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics partnering as a team after the US-based automated driving technology company became part of Daimler Trucks’ Autonomous Technology Group.

One year together, collaboratively pursuing a common goal of bringing series-produced highly automated trucks (SAE Level 4) to the roads within the decade; including on-road deployment of a Level 4 test fleet, initiation of redesign of truck chassis, adoption of a hub-to-hub model, formalized rigorous testing protocols, formal truck safety driver certification process, and extended software capabilities.

Now, the Autonomous Technology Group will extend its testing to New Mexico by building up a new testing center in Albuquerque. Expanding to a new location will support testing and provide data for more use cases of next generation vehicles on public roads starting this fall. [Read more…] about Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics celebrate one year of successful collaboration

Ike Robotics to supply 1,000 autonomous trucks to DHL, Ryder and NFI

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Ike Robotics has won contracts to develop autonomous trucks for DHL, Ryder and NFI. The startup has announced the three major logistics operators as its first customers.

The three customers will collectively take delivery of 1,000 autonomous trucks, says Ike on its company blog.

Ike says it will work closely with its customers to customize the trucks to each one’s specific requirements. [Read more…] about Ike Robotics to supply 1,000 autonomous trucks to DHL, Ryder and NFI

Robots reduce training time in material handling sector, says Yale

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Reducing the time companies spend training new employees are among the many benefits robots bring to the industrial sector, says Yale.

The 100-year-old locksmith’s company partners with Balyo to offer robotic solutions such as autonomous forklift trucks for the material handling industry.

Yale Europe Materials Handling says it now offers “sophisticated robotic solutions” which can adjust to changes in their surroundings. [Read more…] about Robots reduce training time in material handling sector, says Yale

Epiroc orders 77 giant autonomous mining truck systems from ASI

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Autonomous Solutions Inc has signed a subcontract with mining equipment manufacturer Epiroc to supply its autonomous haul truck solution to Roy Hill in Western Australia.

This signing follows the recent award by Roy Hill to Epiroc, a global leader in mining equipment and drill automation, as the prime contractor for the project.

For its part, ASI Mining will supply the technology and systems to convert Roy Hill’s mixed fleet of 77 haul trucks from manned to autonomous operation. The project also includes integration with Fleet and other Mining Management Systems. [Read more…] about Epiroc orders 77 giant autonomous mining truck systems from ASI

Autonomous trucks: Addressing the industry’s structural challenges

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The automotive industry is experiencing a difficult time due to the coronavirus pandemic, with severe shocks both to the supply and demand. Nonetheless, the industry will need to retain its focus on key transformation trends such as autonomy.

Making a business case out of autonomous however, is not always straightforward, as IDTechEx finds in its research into the sector.

Some original equipment manufacturers and tier-one suppliers are already suggesting that there is no business case for level 3 autonomy – referring to SAE’s levels of autonomy in automotive. [Read more…] about Autonomous trucks: Addressing the industry’s structural challenges

Locomation and Wilson Logistics partner on autonomous truck relay convoy pilot

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Locomation has signed a definitive agreement establishing a multi-year partnership with Wilson Logistics to put Locomation’s autonomous technology on the road across several critical Wilson Logistics shipping routes.

Locomation claims to be the world’s first trucking technology platform to offer “human-guided autonomous convoying”. Wilson Logistics is a family-owned transportation logistics company based out of Springfield, Missouri.

During the three-year pilot, Locomation will employ its Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) technology on 11 separate Wilson Logistics ARC segments. [Read more…] about Locomation and Wilson Logistics partner on autonomous truck relay convoy pilot

Mercedes expands development of autonomous commercial vehicle systems

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From project to product: With AXYARD, Lab1886 and Daimler Trucks automate the operation of commercial vehicles

The automated snow removal by two self-driving Mercedes-Benz Arocs in Immendingen shows a successful application for automated commercial vehicles in closed areas.

The joint project of Lab1886, the innovation unit for new business models within Mercedes-Benz AG, and Daimler Trucks, the inventor of the truck, has now become a product that can be used as a solution for various customer requirements in sectors such as on-site logistics and agriculture.

Lab1886 and Daimler Trucks, together with Fraport, demonstrated the operation of self-driving snow-clearing vehicles in non-public closed areas for the first time in October 2017 as part of a pilot project on the site of the former Pferdsfeld air base. [Read more…] about Mercedes expands development of autonomous commercial vehicle systems

Handling large, heavy and bulky objects with Morello equipment

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Large construction and engineering projects almost always feature particular requirements in transportation and handling of big, heavy and often awkwardly shaped objects.

Most people are used to seeing trucks and cranes on the roads and on work sites. But when it comes to handling materials inside, for example, warehouses or other confined spaces, more specialized vehicles are often required.

Modern tendencies in industrial material handling and on-site logistics require customization of these vehicles for a specific client or purpose and there are very few companies in the world that can provide such a service. Morello Giovanni is one of those companies. [Read more…] about Handling large, heavy and bulky objects with Morello equipment