Latest news with #autonomoustrucks
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Inceptio Technology Joins the Autoware Foundation to Accelerate Autonomous Driving Technologies for Trucks
SHANGHAI, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inceptio Technology ("Inceptio" or the "Company"), an industry leading developer of autonomous truck technologies, today announced that it has joined the Autoware Foundation, an open alliance for autonomous driving technology. Inceptio will collaborate with the Autoware Foundation members globally to advance innovation and accelerate the deployment of safe, scalable autonomous truck technologies. Launched in 2018, the Autoware Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting open-source collaboration that accelerates the development of autonomous driving technology globally. Founded in 2018, Inceptio's mission is to build a safer, more efficient line-haul logistics by partnering with OEMs and logistics operators to preload its technologies and systems into series production trucks. Inceptio launched the industry's first series production autonomous trucks in late 2021. To date, Inceptio Autonomous Driving System has achieved over 200 million kilometers of commercial operations. Inceptio's technology portfolio covers L4, L3 and L2+. Leveraging its proprietary full-stack Inceptio Autonomous Driving System - which features long-range perception, high-precision tractor and tailer control, fuel-efficient driving algorithm, as well as HPC specifically designed for truck's operating condition - Inceptio has delivered proven, significant improvement on safety and saving on fuel and labor to the trucking industry. Its data-driven R&D platform continuously refines core modules in real time, enabling rapid deployment and optimization of its autonomous truck technologies across diverse use cases in trucking. "We are excited to welcome Inceptio Technology to the Autoware Foundation," said Shinpei Kato, Founder and Fellow of the Autoware Foundation. "Inceptio's proven track record in autonomous trucking and deep industry and production expertise will be invaluable as we work together to build the next generation of autonomous mobility solutions for the trucking industry." Inceptio will actively participate in the Autoware Foundation initiatives by contributing technology and use cases, exploring new applications, and forging global partnerships. Inceptio will be working with partners including technology companies and leading OEMs to integrate Autoware solutions with its proprietary components in proof-of-concept and series production projects worldwide, in particular in the truck segment. "We look forward to collaborating with a global open-source community of innovators to accelerate the development of autonomous driving technologies and extend the community's reach deep into truck segment." said Julian Ma, Founder and CEO of Inceptio Technology. "Our extensive experience in series production and insight from world's largest commercial deployment of autonomous truck uniquely position us to contribute to the Autoware Foundation, driving safer and more efficient logistics worldwide." About the Autoware Foundation The Autoware Foundation is a non-profit organization that hosts the Autoware project, the world's leading open-source software project for autonomous driving. The Autoware project is built on Robot Operating System (ROS), and through using open source, it lowers the entry barrier to autonomous driving technology and enables commercial deployment of autonomous driving in a broad range of vehicles and applications. The Autoware Foundation has a vision to build open-source software for globally trusted autonomous driving systems that engage and advance society, and is on a mission to co-create a neutral, trusted hub that advances safety and beyond in mobility and society. Autoware is the trade mark of the Autoware Foundation. Learn more about the Autoware Foundation on About Inceptio Technology Inceptio Technology is an industry leading developer of autonomous driving technologies for heavy-duty trucks. Its flagship technology is the Inceptio Autonomous Driving System, a proprietary full-stack solution. Inceptio partnered with leading OEMs to roll out the industry's first series production L3 autonomous trucks in late 2021. These trucks are operated by customers across all line-haul logistics sectors including express delivery, full-truckload (FTL) transportation, less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation, and cold chain. Inceptio is at the cutting edge of developing fully driverless trucks. In 2022 it became the first company in China to receive a public road-testing permit for driverless autonomous heavy-duty trucks. For more information on Inceptio Technology, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Inceptio Technology
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
China's driverless lorries hope to expand
They rumble down the highway between Beijing and Tianjin port: big lorries, loaded up and fully able to navigate there is a safety driver in the seat, as per government regulations, but these lorries don't require them, and many analysts say it won't take long before they are "safety driver" Huo Kangtian, 32, first takes his hands off the wheel, and lets the lorry drive itself, it is somehow impressive and disconcerting in equal the initial stages of the journey, he is in full control. Then - at a certain point - he hits a few buttons, and the powerful, heavy machine is driving itself, moving at speed along a public road to Tianjin."Of course, I felt a bit scared the first time I drove an autonomous truck," says Mr Huo. "But, after spending a lot of time observing and testing these machines, I think they are actually pretty good and safe."As the lorry veers off the freeway and up a ramp towards the toll gates, the machine is still driving itself. On the other side of the tollgate, Mr Huo again presses a few buttons, and he is back in charge."My job as a safety driver is to act as the last line of defence. For example, in the case of an emergency, I would have to take back control of the vehicle immediately to ensure everyone's safety," he terms of the upsides for a driver, he says that switching to autonomous mode can help combat stress and fatigue, as well as freeing up hands and feet for other tasks. He says it doesn't make his job boring, but rather more asked if he is worried that this technology may one day render his job obsolete, he says he doesn't know too much about the diplomatic answer. Pony AI's fleet of driverless lorries, currently operating on these test routes, is only the start of what is to come, the company's vice-president Li Hengyu tells the BBC."In the future, with driverless operations, our transportation efficiency will definitely be greatly improved," he says. "For example, labour costs will be reduced but, more importantly, we can deal better with harsh environments and long hours driving."What this all boils down to is saving money, says industry expert Yang Ruigang, a technology professor from Shanghai Jiaotong University, who has extensive experience working on driverless technology in both China and the US."Anything that can reduce operating costs is something a company would like to have, so it's fairly easy to justify the investment in having a fully autonomous, driverless truck," he tells the short, he says, the goal is simple: "Reduce the driver cost close to zero." However, significant hurdles remain before lorries will be allowed to drive themselves on roads around the world - not the least of which is public China, self-driving technology suffered a major setback following an accident which killed three university students after their vehicle had been in "auto pilot" Intelligence Unit analyst Chim Lee says the Chinese public still has quite a way to go before it is won over."We know that recent accidents involving passenger cars have caused a huge uproar in China. So, for driverless trucks – even though they tend to be more specific to certain locations for the time being – the public's image of them is going to be absolutely critical for policy makers, and for the market as well, compared to passenger vehicles."Professor Yang agrees that lorry drivers are unlikely to lose their jobs in large numbers just yet."We have to discuss the context. Open environment? Probably not. High speed? Definitely no. But, if it is a low-speed situation, like with the last mile delivery trucks, it's here already." In Eastern China's Anhui Province, hundreds of driverless delivery vans navigate their way through the suburban streets of Hefei - a city with an official population of eight million - as human-driven scooters and cars whizz around was once one of country's poorest cities, but these days its government wants it to be known as a place of the future, prepared to give new technology a Huang, president of autonomous vehicle company, says they discovered a market niche where driverless delivery vans could send parcels from big distribution hubs run by courier companies to local neighbourhood stations. At that point, scooter drivers take over, dropping off the packages to people's front doors."We're allowing couriers to stay within community areas to do pickup and drop off while the autonomous vans handle the repetitive, longer-distance trips. This boosts the entire system's efficiency," he tells has also been talking to other countries, and the company says the quickest uptake of its vehicles will be in Australia later this year, when a supermarket chain will start using their driverless delivery in China, they say they're now running more than 500 vans with road access in over 50 Hefei remains the most from Rino, the city has also now given permission for other driverless delivery van companies to Huang says this is due to a combination of factors."Encouragement came from the government, followed by local experimentation, the gaining of experience, the refinement of regulations and eventually allowing a broad implementation."And you can see them on the roads, changing lanes, indicating before they turn, pulling up at red lights and avoiding other the courier companies, the numbers tell the story. According to Rino's regional director for Anhui Province, Zhang Qichen, deliveries are not only faster, but companies can hire three autonomous electric delivery vans which will run for days without needing a charge for the same cost as one says she has been blown away by the pace of change in her industry and adds that she would not be surprised if heavy, long-haul lorries are routinely driving themselves on roads in certain circumstances within five Yang agrees. "Heavy trucks running along a highway unrestricted, at least five years away."When asked if it could really happen so soon, he responds: "I'm pretty sure it will happen. In fact, I'm confident that it will happen."Industry insiders say that the most immediate applications for driverless lorries – apart from in enclosed industrial zones likes open-cut mines or ports – are probably in remote, harsh terrain with extreme environmental conditions, especially along vast stretches and in a largely straight technical challenges do remain lorries need better cameras to track well ahead into distance to detect hazards much further down the road, in the same way a person can; more tricky roads may also need to have extra sensors placed along the route; other hurdles could include breakdowns in extreme weather or sudden, unexpected dangers emerging amidst very busy top of all this, the technology – when it comes to heavy lorries – is still not cheap. What's more, these vehicles are right now modified old style lorries rather than self-driving vehicles straight off the production wants to be a champion of new tech, but it also has to be careful, not only because of the potential for deadly accidents but also because of how Chinese people might view this shift."This is not just about fulfilling regulations. It is not just about building a public image," says Chim Lee. "But that, over time, the public will see the benefit of this technology, see how it will reduce their costs for buying things, or look at it as a way of imagining that society is improving, rather than viewing this as technology which is potentially destroying, causing car accidents or removing employment opportunities."Professor Yang sees another problem. "We humans can tolerate another human driver making mistakes but our tolerance for autonomous trucks is much much lower. Machines are not supposed to make mistakes. So, we have to make sure that the system is extremely reliable."
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Self-driving startup Plus to go public through $1.2 billion SPAC deal
(Reuters) -Self-driving truck startup Plus Automation will go public in the U.S. through a merger with blank-check firm Churchill Capital Corp IX in a $1.2 billion deal, the companies said on Thursday. The transaction will provide the company with $300 million in gross proceeds, which it plans to use to achieve the commercial launch of its autonomous trucks in 2027. The combined company will operate as PlusAI, after the transaction closes. Citigroup advised Churchill IX on the deal, while Northland Capital Markets served as the financial adviser to Plus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
05-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Self-driving startup Plus to go public through $1.2 billion SPAC deal
June 5 (Reuters) - Self-driving truck startup Plus Automation will go public in the U.S. through a merger with blank-check firm Churchill Capital Corp IX (CCIX.O), opens new tab in a $1.2 billion deal, the companies said on Thursday. The transaction will provide the company with $300 million in gross proceeds, which it plans to use to achieve the commercial launch of its autonomous trucks in 2027. The combined company will operate as PlusAI, after the transaction closes. Citigroup advised Churchill IX on the deal, while Northland Capital Markets served as the financial adviser to Plus.
South China Morning Post
31-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
The future of mining: how China is upgrading traditional industry with driverless EVs
In Inner Mongolia, a convoy of haul trucks rumbles across the dusty, jagged terrain of the Yimin open-pit coal mine. It is a familiar scene in this part of northern China, home to some of the country's biggest mineral deposits, but a closer look reveals a futuristic twist to this age-old trade: the vehicles operate without drivers. Yimin is one of the five largest open-cast coal mines in China. During peak season, it used to require about 300 trucks, operated by around 1,200 drivers working shifts around the clock, to transport coal to processing sites, and soil, sand and rocks to dumping grounds. But managers said the mine faced a shortage of drivers. Dangerous driving conditions led to high attrition rates, compounded by declining interest among younger generations in pursuing this profession. 'Truck drivers face exhausting workloads that often lead to health issues,' said Yimin mine director Shu Yinqiu. The solution came earlier this year with a fleet of 100 photovoltaic-battery-powered, self-driving trucks. They represent the world's largest deployment of autonomous electric mining trucks, highlighting China's resolve to upgrade its traditional industries with advanced technologies, as the nation grapples with a shrinking labour force and an ageing population. 02:27 China rolls out world's largest fleet of driverless mining trucks powered by Huawei tech China rolls out world's largest fleet of driverless mining trucks powered by Huawei tech As part of China's push to digitally transform its coal industry – the largest in the world – Yimin was among the first to develop 'intelligent coal mines'. The initiative stemmed from guidance issued in 2020 by several central government agencies, including various ministries and the National Development and Reform Commission, which outlined the construction of intelligent mines and identified autonomous driving as a strategic goal.
