Global heavy truck manufacturers are forming partnerships with technology partners to develop autonomous driving systems for long-haul freight transportation, which could see widespread commercial deployment well ahead of autonomous driving robotaxis.
The latest alliance was announced on Tuesday between Volvo Group from Sweden and Aurora Innovation, based in California, building on a working relationship that dates back several years, according to the partners.
Analysts expect more partnerships of this kind as relatively young technology firms like Aurora connect their knowledge of autonomous vehicle systems with the deep manufacturing expertise of legacy companies like Volvo Trucks.
“You can’t go it alone with autonomy,” said Grayson Brulte, president of the consulting firm Brulte & Company. “The trucking industry has a completely different personality, with different requirements.”
Most major truck manufacturers have turned to autonomous driving technology 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 the US truck manufacturer PACCAR, whose brands include Peterbilt and Kenworth.
German Daimler has formed an autonomous truck alliance with Waymo, while China’s largest heavy truck manufacturer, FAW Jiefang, has partnered with Plus AI.
Volkswagen’s Traton truck group is an investor in TuSimple, as is the US truck manufacturer Navistar.
During a January earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said it is very likely that the long-delayed electric semi-truck will be the first of the company’s vehicles to achieve full autonomous driving capability.
