First self driving truck

With Tauranga set to be the first New Zealand city to see an autonomous car in action in November, how long will it be until we see a self-driving truck on the road?

This week European vehicle manufacturer Volvo unveiled the world's first fully autonomous truck, which was put through its paces deep underground in the Kristineberg Mine, Sweden.


The specially equipped, self-driving Volvo FMX truck was tested 1320 metres underground in the narrow tunnels of the Kristineberg Mine in Sweden. Photo: Volvo/YouTube

As part of the test, the self-driving truck – a specially equipped Volvo FMX – covered a distance of seven kilometres and reached 1320 metres underground in the narrow mine tunnels.

Using various sensors, the truck continuously monitors its surroundings to avoid both fixed and moving obstacles, while at the same time an on-board transport system gathers data to optimise and coordinate the truck's route and fuel consumption.

'This is the world's first fully self-driving truck to operate under such tough conditions. It is a true challenge to ensure that everything works meticulously more than 1300 metres underground,” says Volvo Group chief technology officer Torbjörn Holmström.

The company has since released a video of the autonomous truck in action which was filmed in harsh operating conditions in the Kristineberg Mine located in northern Sweden. In an effort to show how safe the truck is, Torbjörn stands in the middle of the mine gallery as the truck approaches him.

'No matter what type of vehicle we develop, safety is always our primary concern and this also applies to self-driving vehicles. I was convinced the truck would stop but naturally I felt a knot in my stomach until the truck applied its brakes,” says Torbjörn.

On Tuesday [DT1] Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced Volvo and the New Zealand Traffic Institute will demonstrate the self-driving technology in Tauranga this November.

The demonstration, the first trial of its kind in New Zealand, will involve a fully autonomous car driving on a 10-15km stretch of public road and will take place during the national Trafinz transport conference.

The NZ Transport Agency and Ministry of Transport are working with Volvo and Trafinz to ensure the trial will operate within the law, including appropriately managing any safety risks.

The Government is also currently reviewing the rules relating to autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and Small Passenger Service operators.

The self-driving truck is a specially equipped Volvo FMX. Photo: Volvo

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2 comments

Ummm

Posted on 11-09-2016 18:50 | By Kenworthlogger

Looks like im pretty safe......


HA,HA,HA!

Posted on 12-09-2016 09:36 | By How about this view!

Having these on the roads in NZ might just change a few attitudes towards trucks? But I doubt it, as we are a nation of risk-takers. But maybe pulling out in front of, or into the gap in front of, a moving heavy vehicle and tailgating them would be cause for a bit more thought from some road users?


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