Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) will work with logistics provider DHL Supply Chain on hub-to-hub autonomous freight hauling, joining a rush of fleets and autonomous startups envisioning the future road without human drivers.
Volvo VNL long-haul sleeper cabs are being retrofitted by Aurora Innovation with the Aurora Driver, an autonomous system the startup is testing on passenger cars and trucks.
Aurora also is working with Paccar Inc’s Peterbilt unit to test Model 579 trucks on highways in Texas.
VAS said that autonomy is less about the truck and more about suiting business needs and backfilling a shortage of seated trucks. Aging drives are retiring. Others are being forced out by substance abuse.
Working VAS sees a transport-as-a-service (TaaS) model configured to integrate and scale autonomous freight for shippers, carriers, logistics service providers and freight brokers.
