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A semi-truck journeyed 80 miles from a Tucson rail yard to a cargo distribution center in Phoenix and it did it without a human onboard or human intervention. The semi-truck used technology from San Diego-based TuSimple and the company claims it is the first successful class 8 vehicle or semi to travel on open public roads with no human intervention.
The “driver out” test run took place on a December night, lasted one hour and 20 minutes, and was approved and supervised by the Arizona Department of Transportation and law enforcement. It moved across surface streets and highways and worked through on and off-ramps, traffic signals, emergency lane vehicles, highway lane changes, and other motorists.
A lead vehicle scanned the route for obstacles five miles ahead of the semi and a trailing vehicle followed one-half mile behind, prepared to intervene if necessary. Several unmarked police vehicles also monitored the trip.
According to TuSimple, which was founded in 2015, 40% of all trucking operational costs go to drivers and offered its virtual driver as a cheaper alternative. TuSimple also estimates its technology saves approximately 10% on fuel-related expenses in comparison to trucks driven by humans.
TuSimple’s achievement comes as other companies such as Waymo, Aurora, and Embark seek to commercialize autonomous trucking to combat driver shortages.
TuSimple also revealed that it plans to provide 100 robotic semi-trucks for DHL’s global shipping operations. In addition, UPS and over a dozen more shipping companies are also working with TuSimple.
Image Credit: TuSimple
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Source: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/autonomous-semi-truck-completes-first-driverless-trip/
