Video: AV truck ready to roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMREUiQZSIs

Volvo Trucks’ autonomous and electric vehicle Vera is ready for a first assignment.

It will transport goods from ferry and logistics company DFDS’ centre on pre-defined public roads in an industrial area to an APM port terminal in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The new collaboration is a first step towards implementing Vera in a real transport operation, enabling a connected system for a continuous flow of goods for distribution across the world, and develop her potential for other similar assignments, Volvo Trucks says.

It presented its first electric, connected and autonomous solution last year, designed for repetitive assignments in logistics centres, factories and ports. Vera is suited for short distances, transporting large volumes of goods with high precision.

“Now we have the opportunity to implement Vera in an ideal setting and further develop her potential for other similar operations,” Volvo Trucks autonomous solutions vice president Mikael Karlsson says.

The aim is to implement a connected system consisting of several Vera vehicles monitored by a control tower, providing a seamless and constant flow responsive to demands on greater efficiency, flexibility and sustainability.

“We want to be at the forefront of connected, autonomous transportation,” DFDS chief executive officer Torben Carlsen says.

“This collaboration will help us develop an efficient, flexible and sustainable long-term solution for receiving autonomous vehicles arriving at our gates, benefitting our customers, the environment and our business.”

The autonomous transport solution will be further developed in terms of technology, operations management and infrastructure adaptations, before it can be fully operational.

And safety precautions will be taken to meet societal requirements for a safe path towards autonomous transports, Volvo Trucks says.

Vera is restricted to 40km/h and infrastructure adaptations include automated gates at terminals.

APM Terminals is a port service and container terminal solution provider, operating a network of 76 ports globally and is a part of A.P. Moller – Maersk operating in 130 countries.

Visit www.volvotrucks.com/vera for more information.