
MAN is developing driverless vehicle technology to operate between logistics hubs in partnership with automated driving systems maker Plus. The technology is designed to optimise transport, reduce accidents caused by fatigue and support operators through driver shortages.
Lukas Walter, head of sales at MAN Truck & Bus SE, said: "In the application-oriented development of autonomous trucks, project partnerships with logistics users, infrastructure operators and technology specialists are essential for MAN. With Plus, we have gained a proven specialist for automated driving systems in commercial vehicle applications as a partner. The aim is to increasingly integrate driverless driving with practical projects in concrete hub-to-hub logistics transport and thus accelerate the series introduction of autonomous driving systems.”
The collaboration includes MAN’s parent company Traton Group which will work with Plus to develop autonomous driving systems for other brands too.
Shawn Kerrigan, COO and co-founder of Plus, said: “We are excited to leverage our industry-leading autonomous driving software and deployment experience to accelerate the global commercialization of driverless trucks with MAN. Through our combined expertise, we will bring to market safer, more efficient and more sustainable transportation solutions. This will transform how freight is moved.”
This is the most recent development in MAN’s autonomous driving development. For two years from 2018, the company tested driverless vehicles at the Port of Hamburg working on container handling. This was a joint research project with Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG. The following year the ANITA project was launched with four partners to integrate autonomous trucks into the road to rail process.
Since 2022 MAN has been part of a group of 12 industry partners understanding legislation around the use of autonomous vehicles on the road. To test its technology, the company plans to complete practical test drives with a safety driver present. Looking towards series application, MAN will hone its focus in 2025 to specific transport requirements to develop technology suites to these environments and needs.
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