TuSimple, TRATON Group partner to develop self-driving trucks

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TuSimple has entered into a global partnership with the TRATON Group to develop self-driving trucks. One of the world's largest commercial vehicle manufacturers with its MAN, Scania, and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus brands, the TRATON Group is a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group.

The first of its kind in Europe, the partnership brings together a global OEM and SAE level 4 (L4) self-driving technology company. TRATON and TuSimple have launched a development program to operate the first SAE level 4 autonomous hub-to-hub route between Södertälje to Jönköping in Sweden using TRATON's Scania trucks.

TRATON has also taken a minority stake in TuSimple as part of the partnership.

“The global partnership with TuSimple is another step towards becoming a Global Champion,” says Matthias Gründler, chief executive officer at TRATON GROUP. “Innovative future technologies that provide additional value to our customers represent a key part of our strategy.” 

The first test vehicles underway are aiming for Level 4 automation. Since 2015, TuSimple has been trying out its technology with several million test kilometers on public roads.

Developers at TRATON GROUP and TuSimple are collaborating to develop SAE Level 4 autonomous systems for trucks of the TRATON brands that can achieve full automation without human intervention under defined driving conditions and applied in all markets.

The entities note that self-driving trucks offer customers powerful advantages for long-distance freight transportation. They can also increase safety and efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and operating costs.

“Our partnership with TRATON GROUP accelerates the introduction of autonomous truck technology to new international markets, and we look forward to our global partnership,” says Cheng Lu, president, TuSimple.

“The TRATON GROUP has an excellent reputation and established a portfolio of world-class truck brands, their strategic investment in TuSimple is a powerful testimony to our technology and approach.”

TRATON’s goal is to test driverless truck fleets on roads throughout Sweden, Germany and other countries. This could help address the issue of an increase in the lack of drivers in the medium term.