Volvo Autonomous Solutions has made a significant leap in the world of autonomous driving by unveiling Volvo’s first-ever production-ready autonomous truck at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas. The truck, known as the Volvo VNL Autonomous, is equipped with the Aurora Driver, an SAE Level 4 autonomous driving system developed by Aurora Innovation. This advanced system incorporates cutting-edge AI software, dual computing systems, proprietary lidar capable of detecting objects over 400 meters away, high-resolution cameras, imaging radar, and a range of additional sensors. These technologies enable the Volvo VNL Autonomous to navigate its environment with remarkable precision and safety.
The Aurora Driver has undergone extensive training and testing in Aurora’s advanced virtual simulation suite, amassing billions of virtual miles. Additionally, it has clocked 1.5 million commercial miles on public roads, handling a variety of end-to-end trucking routes that include highways, rural roads, and urban streets. These tests have been conducted under diverse conditions, both day and night, and in varying weather, ensuring robust performance across a wide array of scenarios.
To enhance safety, the Volvo VNL Autonomous is equipped with redundant systems for steering, braking, communication, computation, power management, energy storage, and vehicle motion management. This redundancy ensures that in the event of a system failure, backup systems can maintain control and safety. Shahrukh Kazmi, Chief Product Officer at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, emphasized the importance of these systems, stating, “Our platform engineering approach prioritizes safety by incorporating high-assurance redundancy systems designed to mitigate potential emergency situations. We meticulously designed the Volvo VNL Autonomous from the ground up, incorporating redundancy systems to ensure that every safety-critical component is deliberately duplicated, thus significantly enhancing both safety and reliability.
Nils Jaeger, President of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, highlighted the broader implications of this innovation during the truck’s launch. He remarked, “We are pioneering a new method of transporting goods, which complements and expands transportation capacity, thereby fostering trade and societal growth. This truck represents the first of our standardized global autonomous technology platforms. It will enable us to introduce more models in the future, extending autonomy to all Volvo Group truck brands, as well as to different regions and applications.”st Volvo Trucks plant globally, the NRV facility boasts decades of high-volume production experience and stringent automotive quality processes. This ensures that the plant is well-equipped to meet the industry demand for the Volvo VNL Autonomous, maintaining high standards of quality and reliability.
Sasko Cuklev, Head of On-Road Solutions at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, spoke about the benefits of the autonomous truck, saying, “The Volvo VNL Autonomous, powered by the Aurora Driver, offers a fully integrated autonomous solution in the Hub-to-Hub segment. Our approach simplifies the process for our customers, allowing them to enjoy the advantages of an autonomous solution with confidence, ensuring efficiency, safety, and reliability.
This groundbreaking development marks a significant milestone in the evolution of autonomous trucking. The Volvo VNL Autonomous not only showcases advanced technology but also represents a major step towards safer and more efficient transportation solutions. As Volvo continues to innovate and expand its autonomous vehicle offerings, the impact on the logistics and transportation industries is expected to be profound, paving the way for a new era of autonomous driving.
