Autonomous
Autonomous technologies now drive significant change in trucking and freight transportation. Transport Topics autonomous coverage provides a comprehensive look at that change. It provides the latest details on deployment concepts such as advanced driver-assist systems, transfer hubs, teleoperations, platooning and off-road automation and latest analysis of the companies who are manufacturing, adopting and investing in these technologies. Readers can follow the impact such deployment has on everything from policy and infrastructure initiatives to highway congestion, fuel consumption, fleet management, driver management and business investment.
Tech Startups Cite Progress on Path to Self-Driving Trucks
Over the past year, startups working to commercialize highly automated heavy-duty trucks competed for more capital and engineers, and each pushed deeper into systems development.
Experts Discuss Challenges and Opportunities of Drone Delivery
Drones can offer an appealing alternative to traditional cargo delivery methods, according to Daniel Friedenzohn, associate dean of the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
DOT Announces $60 Million in Grants for Automated Projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced $60 million in awards to research groups and state departments of transportation that are exploring projects related to vehicle automation.
Perspective: Preparing for Autonomous Repairs
As more and more vehicles with autonomous components enter the transportation landscape, the issue of repair and maintenance for those systems becomes more important for trucking fleets.
TuSimple to Use New Funds for System Development, Route Expansion
Startup autonomous truck company TuSimple announced commitments from investors for an additional $120 million. These funds are part of an extended Series D round that was oversubscribed and reached a total of $215 million.
VW in $9 Billion Software Revamp as It Expands Tech Shift
Volkswagen AG is bundling its software operations with an investment plan of about 8 billion euro ($9 billion) over the next three to five years, another step in the electric- and connected-car shift that’s heralding massive change across the industry.
China’s ‘Uber-for-Trucks’ Breaks Even En Route to IPO
China’s Uber-for-trucks startup Full Truck Alliance said it’s weighing an initial public offering after breaking even from May, defying a sectorwide downturn.
Volvo Improves Braking, Detection With Updated Driver Assist System
DUBLIN, Va. — Volvo Trucks North America introduced an updated version of its driver assistance system that increases the speed from which the brakes can stop the truck without driver input, and which improves the system’s recognition of when the driver switches lanes to avoid a vehicle in its path.
Michigan Gets $7.5 Million to Test Self-Driving Cars
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding a $7.5 million grant to the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan, the University of Michigan and the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti to boost research, development and testing of self-driving cars.
Ohio Announces DOT Grant for Automated Driving Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded an Ohio-based team of industry, academic and community partners a $7.5 million grant to develop self-driving vehicles.