Illinois-based Navistar is nearly ready to launch an autonomous commercial pilot programme for hub-to-hub freight transport.

Part of the Traton group, the company is making progress in autonomous driving technology in preparation for the launch of a pilot programme with customers. This is part of a partnership with Silicon Vally technology firm Plus to integrate its level-four autonomous SuperDrive technology stack into branded vehicles within the Traton Group.

Navistar recognises that the high volume and scalability of hub-to-hub operations presents an immediate addressable market of 40 billion kilometres of long-distance freight on the US interstate system. The company has selected hub-to-hub operations as the core segment for commercial viability of autonomous implementation.

Lorries equipped with SuperDrive are being validated with a safety driver on routes in Texas. Customer pilots are expected within the year, with commercial deployments expanding incrementally along strategic US corridors.

“There is a strong business case for autonomous technology in the hub-to-hub distribution model, specifically in long-haul transportation where there’s a compelling opportunity to increase operational efficiencies,” said Tobias Glitterstam, chief strategy officer at Navistar. “Global partnership with a company like Plus allows us to leverage the technical strides they have made as we work together to focus on the commercial viability of level-four autonomous driving.”

Navistar’s autonomous commercial pilot programme is focused on integrated autonomous options. Fully developed and supported by Navistar, the autonomous technology will be seamlessly integrated into customer operations, tailored to fit requirements.

“Our autonomous commercial pilot programme is intended to be a safe, reliable option for customers to explore the deployment and integration of autonomous vehicles into their operations,” said Chet Ciesielski, vice president at Navistar. “As always, we are committed to being a trusted partner as we seek to develop autonomous driving technology that increases our customers’ operating efficiencies, improves road safety and alleviates strains in the supply chain.”

Shawn Kerrigan, COO of Plus, added: “We are excited to partner with Navistar to build the next generation of transportation enabled by our industry-leading autonomy technology. By leveraging our experience deploying our highly modular and flexible autonomous driving software across the USA, we can help accelerate the commercialisation of autonomous trucks that can easily be integrated into customer operations.”

Navistar sister company Scania (www.scania.com) has been testing autonomous transport on Swedish roads since 2021, and has plans to expand pilot operations with customers in other European countries during 2024. It is also using Plus technology.

Navistar (www.Navistar.com) is a commercial transportation provider based in Lisle, Illinois. With a history dating back to 1831, Navistar has nearly 15,000 employees worldwide.

Plus (www.plus.ai) is a provider of autonomous driving technology with headquarters in Silicon Valley, California, and operations in the USA, Europe and Australia.