Chinese autonomous driving technology firm Pony.ai is using technology it developed for robotaxis to automate Sany Truck’s fourth-generation autonomous truck line.

The gen-four autonomous trucks system will use 100% automotive-grade components, reducing the cost per vehicle by approximately 70% compared with the previous generation. By leveraging the majority of components from the latest robotaxis, the system is designed for a service life of 20,000 hours, supporting up to a million kilometres of freight operation.

The first two models will be built on battery-electric vehicle platforms. These models are designed for mass production on the thousand-unit scale, with initial fleet deployment expected in 2026.

By adopting the fully redundant design and safety standards used in Pony.ai’s latest robotaxi, the gen-four autonomous trucks will elevate the safety and reliability of autonomous freight transport. They will be equipped with a redundant drive-by-wire chassis, featuring redundancy across six key systems – steering, braking, communication, power supply, computing and sensors – ensuring safe operation under various conditions.

These trucks will also undergo rigorous testing, including electromagnetic compatibility, reliability, high-temperature and extreme-cold tests, to handle complex road conditions and harsh weather commonly encountered in freight scenarios, further enhancing safety.

China, the world’s largest long-haul trucking market, is accelerating its transition towards intelligent logistics. Upon deployment, the gen-four autonomous trucks are expected to lower costs and increase efficiency in freight logistics.

For example, the one-plus-four platooning system, where one lead truck is human-driven followed by four driverless trucks, is projected to reduce freight cost per kilometre by 29% and increase profit margin by 195% compared with traditional freight, based on current trial scenarios. In addition, it is projected to reduce per-vehicle carbon emissions by about 60 tons annually, setting industry benchmarks in safety, efficiency and sustainability.

Since entering the autonomous truck market in 2018, Pony.ai has expanded its fleet to around 200 trucks, accumulated over a billion ton-kilometres of freight transport, and secured the first, or among the first, autonomous truck road test permits and freight transport operation licences in multiple regions across China.

Sany (www.sany-trucks.com) is a manufacturer of construction machinery and heavy-duty vehicles with a range that includes cranes, excavators, concrete machinery and electric trucks.