Aurora, Volvo are latest partners on self-driving heavy trucks

Analysts expect more such partnerships, as relatively young technology firms such as Aurora connect their autonomous vehicle systems knowledge with th
...
The latest alliance was announced Tuesday between Sweden's Volvo Group and California-based Aurora Innovation, building on a working relationship that dates back several years, the partners said.
The latest alliance was announced Tuesday between Sweden's Volvo Group and California-based Aurora Innovation, building on a working relationship that dates back several years, the partners said.

Global heavy truck manufacturers are lining up technology partners to help build out self-driving systems for long-haul freight that could see widespread commercial service well before self-driving robotaxis.

The latest alliance was announced Tuesday between Sweden's Volvo Group and California-based Aurora Innovation, building on a working relationship that dates back several years, the partners said.

Analysts expect more such partnerships, as relatively young technology firms such as Aurora connect their autonomous vehicle systems knowledge with the deep manufacturing experience of legacy companies such as Volvo Trucks.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Volvo Ex90 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
₹ 1.50 Cr
View Details
Volvo S90 (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1969.0 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 61.90 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volvo Xc40 (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1969.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 41.25 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volvo Xc90 (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1969.0 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 88.90 - 96.65 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volvo Xc60 (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1969.0 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 61.90 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volvo C40 Recharge (HT Auto photo)
BatteryCapacity Icon 78 kWh Range Icon 530 Km
₹ 61.25 Lakhs
Compare

“You can't go at it alone in autonomy," said Grayson Brulte, president consultancy Brulte & Company. "The trucking industry is a completely different personality" than the passenger vehicle business, with different requirements.

Most of the larger truck manufacturers have turned to self-driving tech partners, driven in part by a chronic shortage of drivers and a boom in e-commerce, fueled by the global pandemic.

In January, Aurora announced a strategic partnership with U.S. truckmaker PACCAR, whose brands include Peterbilt and Kenworth.

Aurora's founders include self-driving veterans from Tesla and Alphabet's Waymo. Aurora last year said its first commercial product would be in trucking "where the market is largest (and) the unit economics are best."

In 2020, Waymo Chief Executive John Krafcik told Reuters that "goods delivery is a bigger market than moving people" as Waymo expanded its focus to include heavy trucks.

Germany's Daimler has formed a self-driving truck alliance with Waymo, while China's largest heavy truck maker, FAW Jiefang, has partnered with Plus AI.

Volkswagen's Traton truck group is an investor in TuSimple, as is U.S. truckmaker Navistar.

In a January earnings call, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said the long-delayed Semi electric truck is highly likely to be the first of the company's vehicles to achieve full self-driving capability.

First Published Date: 30 Mar 2021, 20:04 PM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers on

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Choose city

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.