Volvo recently unveiled its first “production-ready” self-driving truck, a result of their collaboration with Aurora, an autonomous driving technology company founded by former Google, Uber, and Tesla executives. The truck, based on Volvo’s new VNL Class 8 semi truck, is equipped with a range of sensors and cameras to power Aurora’s Level 4 autonomous driving system, allowing it to operate without human intervention.
Nils Jaeger, president of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, emphasized that this self-driving truck is purpose-built for Aurora’s hardware and software stack. This design approach is crucial for the mass production of autonomous trucks, as it ensures efficiency and effectiveness in their operation. Volvo plans to introduce additional models in the future, extending autonomy to all Volvo Group truck brands and beyond.
Volvo will manufacture these autonomous trucks at its New River Valley plant in Virginia, which is the company’s largest facility globally. The partnership between Volvo and Aurora dates back to 2018, with extensive testing conducted on public roads. Aurora has covered 1.5 million miles on commercial roads and aims to deploy 20 fully autonomous trucks this year, with plans to scale up to 100 trucks by 2025, eventually offering their technology to other companies.
While autonomous trucks were once expected to lead the way in mass adoption of self-driving vehicles, they have faced challenges similar to other autonomous vehicle types. Some companies in the industry have closed down or scaled back their plans due to extended timelines and funding constraints. However, Volvo and Aurora remain optimistic about the future of autonomous trucks, with clear deployment goals and strategic partnerships in place.
Public opinion towards autonomous vehicles, including trucks, has been mixed. Issues with safety, highlighted by incidents involving companies like Tesla and Cruise, have raised concerns among regulators and the general public. However, Aurora has managed to avoid any public mishaps and negative attention, positioning themselves as a reliable player in the autonomous driving space. Despite reporting a net loss in the first quarter of 2024, Aurora continues to focus on innovation and expansion in the autonomous truck market.
Volvo’s production-ready self-driving truck represents a significant leap forward in the autonomous truck industry. With purpose-built design, advanced technology, and strategic partnerships, the future looks promising for autonomous trucks. As the industry continues to evolve and overcome challenges, Volvo and Aurora are at the forefront of shaping the future of transportation through autonomous vehicles.