Volvo's self-driving truck starts real-world trials

The Swedish truckmaker Volvo Trucks will start operating a commercial self-driving service on public roads. For the time being, the autonomous truck will only be deployed on a limited, repetitive and controlled route.

The first commercial autonomous transport will involve seven self-driving Vera trucks that transport limestone from the Broennoey Halk mine to a nearby port, starting this winter.

Last month, Volvo unveiled a similar deal with logistics company DFDS, under which a fleet of Volvo Veras would transport containers from a DFDS logistics centre to a port terminal in Gothenburg.

The aim is to implement a connected system consisting of several Vera vehicles monitored by a control tower. The purpose is to enable a seamless and constant flow responsive to demands on greater efficiency, flexibility and sustainability. The collaboration with DFDS was said to be a first step towards implementing Vera in a real transport assignment on pre-defined public roads in an industrial area.