With a strong focus on safety and cutting-edge technology, Volvo and Aurora’s new self-driving truck could soon be a common sight.
Volvo and Aurora have joined forces to introduce a new era of autonomous trucking. The two companies have unveiled the Volvo VNL autonomous truck, packed with cutting-edge self-driving technology from Aurora. This self-driving truck is designed for long-haul transportation, and it could be hitting highways as early as this summer.
Volvo’s new truck, the VNL Autonomous, is built on its Class 8 semi-truck platform, tailored for long-distance freight hauling. It’s equipped with an array of sensors and cameras to power Aurora’s Level 4 autonomous driving system, allowing the truck to operate without a human driver. However, during the initial phase, a human safety operator will be on board to take control if needed. Volvo plans to start hauling freight with these autonomous trucks in the next few months.
Safety is at the heart of the Volvo VNL Autonomous design. The truck features high-assurance redundancy systems to manage potential emergency situations. Redundant systems are integrated for all critical components, such as steering, braking, communication, computation, power management, and vehicle motion management. This intentional duplication significantly enhances the truck’s safety and reliability. The truck also includes the Aurora Driver system, which boasts dual computers, self-driving software, in-house lidar capable of detecting objects over 1,300 feet away, high-resolution cameras, and imaging radar.
The partnership between Volvo and Aurora aims to commercialize self-driving trucks by the end of 2024. They plan to start with freight routes between Dallas and Houston using Class 8 trucks in autonomous mode, initially with a safety driver behind the wheel. This step is crucial for both companies as they navigate the high capital costs and technological challenges of developing and launching commercial autonomous trucks.
Volvo and Aurora’s collaboration dates back to March 2021. Since then, they have launched pilot programs with logistics companies like FedEx, Ryder, Schneider, and Uber Freight. Additionally, Aurora and automotive supplier Continental hopped on a $300 million project to mass-produce autonomous vehicle hardware for commercial self-driving trucks. This includes an AV hardware kit and a secondary computer system to take over operations in case of a failure. Although the Continental hardware kit won’t be available in Aurora trucks until 2027, the Volvo VNL will still feature robust safety systems.
The introduction of the Volvo VNL Autonomous truck marks a significant milestone in the journey toward fully autonomous commercial trucking. However, public acceptance remains a major hurdle. Surveys indicate that 65% of people feel unsafe sharing the road with autonomous freight trucks. Building public trust in the safety and reliability of these vehicles is crucial for their wider adoption.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of autonomous trucks are substantial. They promise to make freight transportation safer and more efficient. The reveal of the Volvo VNL Autonomous truck is a step toward realizing that future. As Volvo and Aurora refine their technology and safety systems, the dream of self-driving big rigs on highways across the United States moves closer to reality.
