Locomation to test its autonomous truck platforms at Ohio’s Transportation Research Center

May 13, 2020 | AUVSI News

Locomation, the provider of what it calls the world’s first trucking technology platform to offer human-guided autonomous convoying, has announced a research project with the Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC) in East Liberty, Ohio.

Alongside TRC’s extensive research and development team, Locomation will actively test at the research center to advance its autonomous truck platforms, in an effort to facilitate more innovation on the testing and validation of the company’s autonomy technology.

“Locomation is proud of our leadership in the growing field of autonomous trucking and we’re confident that our partnership with TRC will get us to an even higher level,” says Locomation CEO Dr. Çetin Meriçli.

“Our emphasis remains on developing, improving and perfecting our autonomous systems and TRC is a top destination to rigorously test and validate our technology. It’s a world-renowned destination and we’re excited to greatly increase our presence there.”

Locomation will conduct its research at TRC’s new 540-acre SMARTCenter for testing advanced automotive and mobility technologies. Home to high-speed straightaways and cityscape simulations, the SMARTCenter also has various intersection types, roundabouts, access ramps and other navigational situations that a vehicle would encounter in everyday driving.

The SMARTCenter creates an ideal environment for autonomous vehicle and smart highway research, allowing for autonomous vehicles to be tested in a safe, secure and repeatable real-world environment before they hit public roads and highways.

The Locomation team and TRC’s engineering staff will also collaborate to improve Locomation’s autonomous trucking platform through “rigorous analyses and observations derived from TRC’s 45 years of experience with automotive testing,” the companies say.

“We are excited Locomation will use our state-of-the-art test facilities alongside our industry-leading team of engineers and technicians for extensive validation and verification of advanced vehicle technologies for automated driving,” says Brett Roubinek, president and CEO of TRC.

Locomation is scheduled to continue testing at TRC throughout 2020. The company will begin immediate work with TRC’s engineering and technical teams.