The Volvo Group demonstrated a new self-driving truck, designed to travel autonomously from one hub to another, at the Volvo Group Innovation Summit in Beijing, China.
by Staff
November 16, 2017
Photo: Volvo Group
1 min to read
Photo: Volvo Group
The Volvo Group demonstrated a new self-driving truck, designed to travel autonomously from one hub to another, at the Volvo Group Innovation Summit in Beijing, China.
The latest autonomous concept truck was designed for hub-to-hub transportations in semi-confined areas such as harbors and dedicated lanes on highways. The company previously showed similar autonomous concepts for confined areas such as mines, quarries, and sugarcane fields, and this new solution takes those ideas into an over-the-road setting.
Ad Loading...
The truck is based on the company’s existing FH platform and navigates completely autonomously, using lidar and GPS to continuously scan its surroundings and check its location. It can navigate around fixed and movable obstacles and gather data to optimize its route, traffic safety, and fuel consumption. The truck requires no manual supervision and is part of a total transport solution that controls the entire delivery process.
“Although this technology may be years away from production, it will undoubtedly influence our future offering and has the potential to develop smart societies for the future,” said Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO at Volvo Group. “No matter what type of solution we develop, safety is always our primary concern and this applies to all our self-driving projects.”
Along with unveiling its EPA 2027-compliant MP13 engine, Mack outlined powertrain changes across its Class 6-8 lineup, including new Cummins-based X10 engines.
Kodiak AI and Roehl Transport have begun autonomous freight operations on a regular Dallas-Houston route, marking another step toward Kodiak’s planned driverless launch by the end of 2026.
Volvo says advances in combustion and aftertreatment helped its new EPA 2027 D13 engine avoid the fuel-economy penalties many once expected from tighter NOx emissions limits.
Fleet Advantage’s latest Truck Life Cycle Data Index shows fleets operating older Class 8 trucks could face significantly higher costs as diesel prices rise, while newer 2028 equipment may deliver savings of more than $12,000 per truck annually.
Tesla’s Semi chief at ACT Expo outlined production growth, lower-cost models, charging expansion, and why the company believes fleets are leaving money on the table by waiting on electric trucks.
Mack Trucks is introducing ImpactShield, the first Class 8 truck windshield to use Corning Fusion5 Glass, designed to improve durability, reduce damage and help fleets minimize downtime.
Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Aurora expand their freight network with a new Dallas–Oklahoma City route, moving closer to scaled driverless operations.
Westport and Volvo are demonstrating a 500-hp truck with diesel-like efficiency — one that also offers what Westport says is a better pathway to using hydrogen fuel in trucks.
