31st March 2021
Autonomous driving has taken a step closer in the HGV market as Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Aurora team up.
The two companies have announced plans to develop autonomous driving solutions at scale.
Specifically, the plan is to develop technologies to improve hub to hub operations in North America.
However, the agreement between Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Aurora will be wide-ranging.
Aurora Driver, which will be integrated into Volvo’s road-going trucks, is at the heart of the project.
Volvo and Aurora will also jointly develop ‘industry leading’ Transport as a Service (TAAS) solutions.
Importantly, the news does not affect the current Volvo Group partnerships with the likes of Nvidia.
Nils Jaeger, president of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, emphasised the need to collaborate.
“Creating a viable autonomous on-highway offering requires close partnerships with both customers and tech partners,” he said.
Jaeger also added that the partnership would accelerate the company’s future plans for North America.
“Aurora is already a leading force in autonomous systems,” he stated.
In addition, he singled out the company’s platform for providing “a clear path towards efficient and safe on-highway solutions in the medium term”.
Meanwhile, Sterling Anderson, co-founder and chief product officer at Aurora, also praised his project partner.
“Since the first project together in 2018, Aurora has developed a deep respect for Volvo.
“We’re excited to join forces to develop self-driving solutions with Volvo’s impressive network of customers,” he said.
The news comes after it was announced in January that PACCAR was to work with Aurora on autonomous driving.
Peterbilt and Kenworth cabs will be used in that project. The vehicles will integrate PACCAR’s autonomous vehicle platform with Aurora Driver.
Vehicle validation and production support will also be covered. Subsequently, engineers at PACCAR facilities will be responsible for overseeing that work.