Scania accelerates deployment of autonomous hub-to-hub transport
Launch of Autonomous Commercial Pilot Programme, with plans for autonomous solution powered by the leading technology stack from Plus.
Scania is today (12 March 2024) expanding its strategic development of autonomous hub-to-hub transport solutions, with the launch of an Autonomous Commercial Pilot Programme. As part of TRATON Group, Scania will also be involved in a new partnership with US-based Plus, which will integrate its Level 4, fully autonomous SuperDrive™ technology stack into Scania and TRATON Group vehicles.
The Scania Autonomous Commercial Pilot Programme is part of an increased focus on establishing customer-driven testing to demonstrate hub-to-hub technology, and creating scalable operational concepts that deliver real value in customers’ operations.
For safer, more efficient, more sustainable driving
Scania’s programme launch comes as customers look for trusted and reliable partners for developing and deploying autonomous vehicles within their own operations. This new solution stands out due to its adaptability to customers’ specific routes and transport profiles.
“We are committed to developing fully integrated autonomous solutions. This means technology that is fitted and supported directly from the factory and a solution that is designed to be operated by our customers in their existing infrastructure and operational flows,” says Peter Hafmar, Vice-President and Head of Autonomous Solutions.
The expectation is that Scania’s autonomous hub-to-hub solutions will help increase its customers’ operating efficiency, lower their transport emissions and improve road safety, while also addressing the growing global driver shortage.
Further expansion of autonomous programme planned
The launch and announcement are the latest stage on Scania’s autonomous journey. The company, which has already been testing autonomous transport solutions on Swedish roads since 2021, has plans to expand pilot operations with customers in other European countries during 2024.
“By expanding our autonomous hub-to-hub programme we are taking a leading position in providing autonomous solutions to our customers,” says Peter Hafmar.
Scania trucks equipped with Plus’s Level 4 autonomous driving system are already being tested on public roads in Europe, with a safety driver on board. The two companies will pilot commercial operations with fleets, then start series production and global commercial deployment at scale.
“Plus is delighted to be selected by Scania as their long-term autonomy technology partner. We will leverage our experience deploying our highly modular and flexible autonomous driving software globally to help accelerate their development of high performance autonomous trucks that will safely and easily integrate into customer operations and be deployed commercially at scale,” says Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-Founder of Plus.
Peter Hafmar adds, “We see autonomous as a key part of our offer for a full range of safe, efficient and sustainable transport solutions that can be adapted according to each individual customer’s specific needs, something which is further strengthened by TRATON Group’s partnership with Plus.”
To learn more about Scania's autonomous commercial pilot programme, watch this video.
Find more information about Scania's autonomous transport solutions here.
About Plus
Plus is a global provider of autonomous driving software solutions that span driver-in next generation safety systems to highly automated PlusDriveⓇ and driver-out SuperDriveTM. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California with operations in the U.S., Europe, and Australia, Plus is named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Startup Employers and by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Plus’s Open Platform for Autonomy is already powering vehicles in commercial use today. Partners including Bosch, dm-drogerie markt, DSV, IVECO, Luminar, Nikola and Transurban are working with Plus to accelerate next-generation transportation solutions. For more information, visit www.plus.ai.
Erik Bratthall
Corporate Public and Media Relations manager
erik.bratthall@scania.com
Scania is a world-leading provider of transport solutions. Together with our partners and customers, we are driving the shift towards a sustainable transport system. In 2023, we delivered 91,652 trucks, 5,075 buses as well as 13,871 industrial and marine power systems to our customers. Net sales totalled over SEK 204 billion, of which about 20 percent were services related. Founded in 1891, Scania now operates in more than 100 countries and employs some 58,000 people. Research and development is carried out globally with our main site in Södertälje, Sweden. Production takes place in Europe and Latin America with regional product centres in Africa, Asia and Eurasia. Scania is part of TRATON GROUP. For more information visit: www.scania.com
