Direção autônoma: semirreboque completa primeira viagem sem motorista

Autonomous driving: semi-trailer completes first trip without a driver

autonomous semi-trailer

A semi-trailer truck traveled 80 miles from a rail yard in Tucson to a freight distribution center in Phoenix and did so without human or onboard intervention. The semi-utilized technology from San Diego-based TuSimple, and the company claims it is the first successful Class 8 vehicle or semi to travel on open public roads without human intervention.

The driver out test took place on a December night, lasted one hour and 20 minutes, and was approved and supervised by the Arizona Department of Transportation and law enforcement. He's been on surface streets and highways and worked on ramps, traffic lights, emergency vehicles, highway lane changes, and other drivers.

A lead vehicle scanned the route for obstacles five kilometers in front of the semi, and a rear vehicle followed a half-mile behind, ready to intervene if necessary. Several unmarked police vehicles also monitored the trip.

According to TuSimple, founded in 2015, 40% of all trucking operating costs go to drivers and offered its virtual driver as a cheaper alternative. TuSimple also estimates that its technology saves about 10% on fuel expenses compared to human-driven trucks.

TuSimple's success comes as other companies like Waymo, Aurora and Embark try to commercialize autonomous trucks to combat driver shortages.

TuSimple also revealed that it plans to supply 100 robotic semi-trucks to DHL's global shipping operations. Additionally, UPS and more than a dozen other shipping companies are working with TuSimple.

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