Self-driving expertise firm Aurora will start piloting vans loaded with its software program this week to haul items for U.S. bundle supply agency FedEx Corp between Dallas and Houston, albeit with a security driver.
Aurora, which is led by former heads of self-driving applications at Google, Uber and Tesla Inc, added on Wednesday it’s aiming for vans with no security driver by late 2023.
The information comes per week after self-driving startup Argo AI, Ford Motor Co and Walmart Inc mentioned they might collectively launch an autonomous car supply service in Miami, Austin, and Washington, D.C.
In January, Aurora introduced a partnership with U.S. truckmaker PACCAR Inc, whose manufacturers embody Peterbilt and Kenworth, to develop self-driving vans. Aurora now plans to make use of these vans to ship FedEx parcels.
Aurora, which goes public by a take care of a blank-check agency backed by Silicon Valley heavyweights Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus, can also be working with Sweden’s Volvo Group to develop self-driving vans.
Heavy truck makers all over the world are lining up expertise companions to assist construct out self-driving methods for long-haul freight that might see widespread industrial service nicely earlier than self-driving robotaxis.
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WeRide is at present testing autonomous passenger automobiles and mini-buses. Backed by Nissan Motor, WeRide mentioned in a press release that it will collectively develop self-driving vans with JMC, wherein Ford Motor has a stake, and ZTO.
AppliedEV, an autonomous EV maker based by former Tesla Inc and Common Motors Co executives, will present the EV platform for the car. AppliedEV Chief Government Julian Broadbent mentioned the partnership may convey “robust industrial outcomes” in as little as 12 months.
