So its name is Vera, the youngest of the Volvo Trucks. Shortly ahead of the world’s largest commercial vehicle trade fair in Hanover next week, Volvo Trucks presented its concept for autonomous transport.
Vera is an autonomous towing vehicle for truck trailers. In a presentation in Berlin, the information on the autonomous prototype was still relatively sparse. Nevertheless, the Volvo managers revealed that the vehicle is currently being further developed together with “relevant customers”.
The autonomous and electrically powered commercial vehicle is intended to make transport traffic more efficient, safer and cleaner. Volvo Trucks wants to expand its offering to companies that depend on continuous transport between fixed logistics points.
The vehicle itself is a revolution. The study is slightly higher than the wheel arches, there is no driver’s cab anymore. Various cameras and sensors for the autonomous functions are mounted on the front and side parts of the autonomous truck. At the top of the towing system you can see the connection for pulling the trailer.
Volvo Trucks counts on electric motors
Volvo Trucks is relying on its own established systems for its drives. For the smaller FL model, an electric motor up to 130 kW (177 PS) is planned. An up to 370 kW (503 hp) twin-engine solution will be used in the larger FE model.
Own Volvo technology for the autonomous driving of the future
Volvo develops the connectivity technologies itself and is also responsible for the infrastructure. In order to allow a vehicle to drive independently in a logistics operation, the intelligence in the control centre and the vehicle must not only be available as initial knowledge. The experience data from the cloud must be continuously recorded and further developed; it serves the purpose of continuous optimisation. The vehicle manufacturer thus becomes an intelligent provider and ultimately provides the entire platform itself.
Volvo trucks are already autonomously on the road in practice
Since for many of us the use of autonomous commercial vehicles is not necessarily immediately apparent, Volvo Trucks provides practical examples of applications.
In some logistics centres or limited territorial transhipment points, such as container ports or freight stations, the use of Vera is expected to be imminent. But Volvo points to the first areas of application for its autonomous trucks, virtually the first generation.
Since autumn 2016, for example, the self-propelled Volvo FMX has been in operation under real conditions in an ore mine in Kristenberg, Sweden. This truck was equipped with new functions and sensors to enable autonomous driving in the mine. The result is improved mine logistics and relief for mine workers.
A second field of application in the test is active in cooperation with the Swedish waste disposal company Renova. Here, both companies are testing the contribution of automated vehicles to safe and efficient waste disposal in cities. The autonomous garbage truck permanently monitors its surroundings and stops as soon as an obstacle becomes visible on the road.
The experience gained from the first practical applications will now be incorporated into the innovative prototypes. Because Volvo Trucks plans to break out of these quasi ‘closed’ areas of operation with Vera.
Volvo Trucks intends to use its autonomous pulling vehicle where 24/7 transport routes from A to B are used. This will make the entire process chain more precise, flexible and productive.
Additional benefits of the electric drive
The electrical version should not only be more environmentally friendly, but also reduce the noise level on the respective factory premises. The first step would therefore be to reduce the noise nuisance caused by heavy transport on the factory premises. In the long term, this will not only benefit the surrounding population, but also everyone when used on long-haul routes.
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