Jinesh Vinayachandran’s Post

Long distance driving will ultimately be dealt with new technology.

🚨 South Korea plans autonomous trucks on highways Here's what you need to know: → Long-distance freight operations using self-driving trucks will be trialed on key logistics routes, covering 358 km along the Gyeongbu and Jungbu expressways. → Six new AV test zones have been designated, including Suwon, Hwaseong, Yongin, and Seoul's Dongjak district. →Existing zones in Gyeongju and Seoul have also been expanded. My thoughts: It’s exciting to see more countries recognizing the strategic value of autonomous trucks in long-distance freight. South Korea’s initiative highlights how governments are beginning to embrace the potential of this technology not just for innovation but also for solving real-world challenges like driver shortages and logistical efficiency. This momentum aligns with a broader trend: autonomous trucking is steadily gaining recognition as a cornerstone for future logistics. While the pace of adoption varies across regions, the growing investment in trials and infrastructure signals that key players are preparing for a transformative shift in the industry. The question now is not if autonomous trucks will become mainstream, but when—and which countries will lead in making this a reality. What’s your take? Which country do you think will lead the charge on autonomous trucking?

In addition to electrification, automation will also drive down logistics costs (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4). Q1: "This approval allows the company to operate a convoy of trucks, with only the lead truck requiring a safety operator, while the following trucks drive autonomously." Q2: "The tests will take place on the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway, a significant step in Pony AI's strategy to commercialize autonomous trucking." Q3: "Pony AI has been active in the autonomous trucking space, having completed nearly 500 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) of freight orders and logged over 45,000 kilometers in its cross-provincial freight service between Beijing and Tianjin, in collaboration with Sinotrans Limited, a major Chinese logistics firm." Q4: "Since its inception, Pony AI's robotrucks have covered more than 5 million kilometers and transported over 860 million freight ton-kilometers. The next phase of Pony AI's operations will focus on achieving fully driverless fleets to advance the mass commercialization of autonomous trucks." https://lnkd.in/enx7MRGC

The race is on to see which autonomous trucks will hit the roads first, and a new player has just entered the scene: Daimler Truck AG, a subsidiary of Mercedes, revealed its first autonomous — and all-electric — truck demonstrator, which the company says will be capable of driverless freight hauling by 2027. As expected, during the testing period, safety drivers will remain in the vehicle and will be charged with the more complicated scenarios, including last-mile delivery or emergency operations. According to the company, it will be suited for shorter, repeatable routes. Utilizing autonomous trucks for predictable routes makes sense, since this removes split-second decision making and other unknowns for the machine. But in an ideal world, we’ll see autonomous trucks able to also take on the longer, more arduous routes — the ones that pose more risks for humans who can get tired and distracted, or simply don’t want to take on the drives that require them to be away from home for long periods of time. I have no doubt the technology will get there. For now, these companies are very much in the testing and proof of concept phase. Once they master that, more opportunities will certainly open up. https://lnkd.in/e7BBcCSb #autonomoustrucks #driverlesstrucks #AV #daimler #trucks #trucking #autonomousvehicles

🚛 The future of trucking is here, and it's autonomous! Our team at MoveX has been closely tracking the rapid advancements in self-driving truck technology across the USA. Did you know that companies like TuSimple have already completed fully autonomous semi-truck runs on public roads? The potential for increased safety, efficiency, and sustainability is staggering. We're particularly excited about the economic impact. Studies suggest autonomous trucks could reduce operating costs by up to 45% by 2030. That's a game-changer for the entire supply chain. But it's not just about the tech. The human element remains crucial. We're seeing a shift in driver roles towards "operators" who manage these advanced systems. It's creating new opportunities in fleet management and specialized maintenance. Of course, challenges remain. Regulatory frameworks need updating, and public acceptance is key. That's where our expertise comes in. We're helping clients navigate this complex landscape, ensuring they're prepared for the autonomous revolution. Want to dive deeper into the world of self-driving trucks? Check out our comprehensive analysis on our blog. We break down the latest developments, explore the implications for the #FreightIndustry, and offer insights on how to stay ahead of the curve. Don't let the future pass you by. Read the full article and let's discuss how we can help your business thrive in the age of autonomous trucking. #AutonomousTrucking #LogisticsTech #SupplyChainInnovation https://lnkd.in/eH6aXbYv

What’s Next for Autonomous Trucks in 2025? 🚛 Autonomous trucking has been at the forefront of automotive innovation, with companies pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As we step into 2025, here are the five key trends and developments I foresee shaping the industry: 1️⃣ Initial launch of a fully autonomous commercial trucking operations in the US 2️⃣ Expansion of autonomous yard trucking for logistics hubs, warehouses, and ports in controlled environments 3️⃣ Broadening adoption of autonomous trucks in off-highway environments, including mining and heavy construction 4️⃣ Deepening collaborations between autonomous technology startups and OEMs to accelerate the deployment of autonomous trucks 5️⃣ Advancing the development of Level 4-ready systems and components to enable autonomous functionality in trucks Each of these areas offers significant potential for transforming the trucking industry, whether through operational efficiencies, sustainability improvements, or cost reductions. The diverse applications — on-highway, on-yard, and off-highway — highlight the versatility of autonomous technologies and their readiness to tackle real-world challenges. However, we must acknowledge the barriers that remain: regulatory hurdles, infrastructure requirements, and the need for public acceptance. As these trends unfold, the industry’s progress will depend on collaborative efforts across technology developers, OEMs, policymakers, and supply chain stakeholders. Below is a graphic summarizing these key developments and the leading companies driving them forward. What do you think about these trends? Are there others you’d add to the list? #AutonomousTrucking #Innovation #FutureOfFreight Disclaimer: All views are my own.

Always great content Wojciech Siwik. What is next? Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones will be establishing the path to scaled adoption. Autonomy Institute https://lnkd.in/gjpnfYz5

Aurora and Volvo unveil self-driving truck designed for a driverless future A new self-driving truck — manufactured by Volvo and loaded with autonomous vehicle tech developed by Aurora Innovation — could be on public highways as early as this summer. The Volvo VNL #Autonomoustruck, which was revealed Monday evening at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas, is the product of a partnership between Aurora and Volvo Autonomous Solutions. Aurora plans to start hauling #freight using these Volvo #selfdrivingtrucks in the next several months. The trucks will be in autonomous mode and will still have a human safety operator behind the wheel to take control if needed. Later this year, the company plans to announce pilot programs with customers that will use the Volvo VNL Autonomous truck, according to an Aurora spokesperson. Volvo has already started to manufacture an initial test fleet of these self-driving trucks at its New River Valley assembly facility in Virginia. The reveal of the Volvo VNL Autonomous truck comes as Aurora continues to push towards its stated goal to commercialize self-driving trucks by the end of 2024. The company initially plans to carry freight between Dallas and Houston using up to 20 driverless Class 8 trucks — this time with no human behind the wheel. Aurora declined to share whether trucks made by Volvo, or its other partner PACCAR, would be in that inaugural driverless fleet. Getting to commercialization is existential for Aurora — one of the last autonomous trucking companies standing. Last year, Waymo Via put the brakes on its self-driving trucking program, and TuSimple recently left the U.S. market in favor of expanding in Asia. Aurora has not been immune to the high-capital costs of developing and then launching commercial autonomous trucks either. In January, the company laid off 3% of its workforce in order to trim costs in advance of its commercial launch. Consolidation in the #AVindustry has meant fewer rivals for Aurora. Einride, Torc Robotics and Kodiak Robotics, which revealed its own purpose-built self-driving big rig, are among the few that remain. The Volvo partnership, which the companies first inked in March 2021, is one part of Aurora’s commercialization strategy. Aurora has launched pilot programs with #logistics companies FedEx, Ryder, Schneider and Uber Freight. In January, Aurora and automotive supplier Continental closed the first phase of a more than $300 million project to mass produce autonomous vehicle hardware for commercial self-driving trucks. The two companies finalized the design and system architecture for an AV hardware kit, as well as the blueprint for a secondary computer that can take over operations if a failure occurs. The Continental hardware kit won’t be in Aurora trucks until 2027, but the Volvo VNL will still be packed with safety features, the company says. The Volvo truck features redundant steering, braking, communication, computation, #powermanagement, #energystorage and...

🚛 Autonomous Trucks Are Rolling Out! 🚛 Big news in logistics innovation: Volvo Autonomous Solutions and DHL Supply Chain have launched autonomous freight operations in the U.S., starting from Dallas-Fort Worth! These state-of-the-art Volvo VNL Autonomous trucks, powered by the Aurora Driver, will initially run routes between Dallas-Houston and Fort Worth-El Paso. What’s fascinating? A safety driver is still onboard to monitor performance, ensuring seamless integration into existing logistics networks. This marks a critical step toward large-scale, efficient, and safer freight transport. North Texas is solidifying its place as a hub for autonomous trucking technology. #AutonomousTrucking #Innovation #Logistics #FutureOfFreight #SupplyChain #insurance #trucking https://lnkd.in/erPDXnjd

The struggles of autonomous truck makers to move beyond the testing stage are well chronicled. Gatik, which owns the short-haul pickup-and-delivery “middle mile,” is an exception. https://lnkd.in/gEdKuSvS