Autonomous truck technology provider Locomation and ZF have entered an agreement to jointly develop steering units to enhance autonomous truck safety. 

Under the terms of the agreement, ZF and Locomation will collaborate to develop and test the Level 4 capable ReAX steering systems in real-world conditions. This steering system integrates "market-leading electronic technology with redundant hardware, which is critical for the safe deployment of autonomy," Locomation officials said in a press release.

“We’re excited to work with ZF, which brings its expertise from the automotive sector to commercial vehicles, and it’s a great opportunity to drive the safest deployment of Locomation’s autonomous trucking product portfolio,” said Çetin Meriçli, Locomation’s co-founder and CEO. “Safety is the bedrock of every phase in our deployment of autonomous truck technology services.”

Locomation officials say the company is on a mission to "re-engineer the world’s supply chain for autonomy," starting with a portfolio of autonomous truck technology, each equipped with the L4 ReAX steering unit. L4 ReAX offers full redundancy to achieve rigorous safety standards, which ensure that a system functions correctly and demonstrates the ability to maintain safe operations at all times by detecting and managing faults.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Locomation on its phased approach to developing autonomous trucking technology,” explained Julien Plenchette, ZF Group's vice president of the commerical vehicle division in the Americas. “Locomation's unique and practical approach with initial human-guidance offers an opportunity to get to market earlier, which provides ZF with real-world data in order to enhance our technology.”

Locomation is aiming to deploy its first product line, Autonomous Relay Convoy, in late 2022, starting with Wilson Logistics and following with PGT Trucking to fulfill the contracts for a total of 2120 trucks between the two customers.