Volvo, which is the world’s second-largest truck manufacturer, on Wednesday unveiled a new self-driving truck which it said can address transportation issues in the ecommerce space.
“We can see a boom in e-commerce, as well as overall global consumption and it shows no signs of slowing down,” said Mikael Karlsson, Vice President Autonomous Solutions at Volvo. “The industry needs to find new ways to meet the increased demand on transports in an efficient and sustainable way. Therefore, new solutions need to be developed to complement what’s available today.”
The truck, named Vera, is designed for regular and repetitive tasks, over short distances, where large volumes of goods need to be delivered with high precision, such as in ports, factory areas and mega-logistics center, according to Volvo.
This means that Volvo Trucks will not only be a provider of vehicles, but also of trouble-free transportation of goods from one hub to another, the company stated. As it is automated, the solution can enable round-the-clock operations, helping to create a continuous flow of goods with higher delivery precision, according to Volvo.
“Our system can be seen as an extension of the advanced logistics solutions that many industries already apply today,” explains Mikael Karlsson. “It utilises the same infrastructure, such as standard containers and trailers. This is important since the global logistics system is not going to change overnight.”
The truck, which does not have a driver’s cab, is still under development, and it is unclear yet if it will be available for commercial use.
“We’re unlikely to see a one-size-fits-all solution that will work for everyone, everywhere,” added Mikael Karlsson.
