The commercial vehicle developer Iveco, together with AI software developer Plus, logistics service provider DSV, and dm-drogerie markt, has completed a multi-month pilot project to test semi-autonomous trucks. A press release from May 15 reports on this.
"The dm-drogerie markt has been working with DSV on sustainable and innovative supply chains for decades. We were therefore very happy to support this pilot project. We look forward to continuing to work together on groundbreaking technologies like this in the future," said Ursula Paepcke, Head of TKM in the Logistics Department at dm-drogerie markt.
According to the cooperation partners, the pilot project confirmed the expected results and assumptions, particularly regarding improved safety and reliability. The autonomous driving system consistently showed safe driving behavior, particularly in lane-keeping, lane changing, adaptive driving, and handling foreseeable traffic situations.
The focus was on the real-life deployment of an Iveco S-Way tractor unit with a highly automated driver assistance system on public roads in Germany. The test drives took place under practical conditions on the route between two warehouse locations in Krefeld and Hennef.
"The focus is on
depot-to-depot logistics because the technology is perfectly suited for recurring processes where sufficient data is available," says Peter Matthiesen, Senior Director, Group Innovation, Mobility & Truck Technology at DSV.
Technology with stable driving behavior
The system, developed by Iveco and Silicon Valley-based Plus, uses sensors such as Lidar, radar, and cameras, as well as AI-based software to support the driver. The technology consistently demonstrated stable driving behavior during the test – such as in lane-keeping, lane-changing, and adaptive driving. According to the project, energy consumption could be reduced by about ten percent, contributing to a reduction in emissions.
"We are pleased to celebrate the completion of the pilot project with our innovative partners DSV, dm, and Iveco, where our autonomous driving technology led to greater safety and efficiency. It is even more fitting to do this in Germany, a country that has recognized the benefits of autonomous vehicles. We look forward to bringing mass-produced self-driving trucks with Plus's revolutionary self-driving technology to market, initially in the USA and then in Europe," said Shawn Kerrigan, COO and co-founder of Plus.
The partners
involved see semi-autonomous solutions as an important building block for safe, efficient, and sustainable logistics. Especially in depot-to-depot logistics with predictable processes, there are great potentials according to the project summary. Automated systems can increase road safety, reduce fatigue, and simultaneously improve the productivity of drivers.
Humans remain on board
The focus is not on the complete replacement of human drivers, but their support in everyday life. For the time being, a human remains on board to monitor the system and intervene in unforeseen situations. In the future, however, drivers could take on additional tasks – such as in control centers or in the preparation and follow-up of vehicles.
The project is understood as preparation for the next stage of autonomous mobility. After the successful completion of the test phase, the way is to be paved for pilot applications with fully autonomous trucks. The market launch of mass-produced autonomous commercial vehicles is initially expected in the USA, in Europe according to Iveco from 2027.
"This successful demonstration is another important step on our way to commercializing highly automated driving technologies in
the logistics industry. Through this collaborative pilot project, we were able to validate the capabilities of our advanced driver assistance system in real operation and confirm improvements in safety, fuel efficiency, and overall driving performance," said Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Iveco Group.
Other manufacturers are also pushing the development of autonomous commercial vehicles. MAN Truck & Bus, for example, has been working on driverless transport solutions for logistics use for years. In cooperation with partners such as Deutsche Bahn, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, and research institutions, various projects have been realized – including an autonomous truck in container handling and the project "ANITA" for the integration of self-driving vehicles in combined transport.
Currently, MAN is involved in the ATLAS-L4 project together with industry, science, and authorities to test autonomous driving on highways between logistics hubs. The basis for this is also a strategic development partnership with Plus, which also includes other brands of the Traton group. The aim of these cooperations is to avoid fatigue accidents, mitigate the driver shortage, and further increase efficiency in freight transport,
