Navistar Partners with Plus for Autonomous Trucking Pilot Program

Navistar has joined forces with the autonomous driving technology company Plus to introduce an autonomous commercial pilot program for its trucking fleet.

Equipping Trucks with SuperDrive by Plus System

Trucks from the Traton truck manufacturing subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group have been fitted with the ‘SuperDrive by Plus’ system and are currently undergoing validation with a safety driver on routes in Texas. The collaboration aims to establish hub-to-hub autonomous trucking routes.

The Hub-to-Hub Autonomous Trucking System

In this system, a human driver transports freight through urban areas, delivering it to a transfer hub near a highway. An autonomous truck then takes over, transporting the cargo along the highway to another transfer hub where it is handed back to a human driver for final delivery.

Business Case for Autonomous Technology

Tobias Glitterstam, Navistar’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, highlighted the benefits of autonomous technology in the hub-to-hub distribution model, particularly in long-haul transportation. The partnership with Plus aims to focus on the commercial viability of Level 4 autonomous driving.

Transition from TuSimple to Plus

Navistar had previously collaborated with TuSimple on self-driving systems but has since shifted its focus. Following its acquisition by VW’s Traton SE in late 2020, Navistar is now working with Plus to leverage their Level 4 autonomous driving system.

Future of Transportation Solutions

Plus’s Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, Shawn Kerrigan, expressed excitement about partnering with Navistar to develop next-generation transportation solutions enabled by their autonomy technology. The goal is to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous trucks that can seamlessly integrate into customer operations.