Locomation, Wilson Logistics partner for autonomous trucking pilot

March 11, 2020 | AUVSI News

The provider of what it says is the world’s first trucking technology platform to offer human-guided autonomous convoying, a company called Locomation has announced a multi-year partnership with transportation logistics company Wilson Logistics that will result in Locomation’s autonomous technology being put on the road across several critical Wilson Logistics shipping routes.

During the three-year pilot, Locomation’s Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) technology will be integrated onto 11 separate Wilson Logistics ARC segments. With ARC, one driver can pilot a lead truck equipped with technology augmentation while a follower truck operates in tandem through Locomation’s fully autonomous system, allowing the follower driver to log off and rest during this time.

The companies note that each ARC segment is engineered for maximum yield by Locomation’s business operations team, which is led by industry veteran Tom Kroswek.

“Our work with Locomation will mark a significant step forward for Wilson Logistics,” says Darrel Wilson, chairman and CEO of Wilson Logistics.

“Not only will we improve asset utilization and network efficiency, but we’ll make great strides in reducing our energy spend while improving safety. It also makes the truck a much better place to work for our team of professional truck drivers.”

Locomation will provide a two-truck convoy with safety staff during the pilot. The company will also work with the Wilson Logistics operations team to execute the “most efficient freight movements possible.”

The companies hypothesize that at full commercialization, Locomation’s autonomous vehicle technology is expected to produce an estimated 33 percent reduction in operating cost per mile, eight percent reduction in fuel expense, and remove 41 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the air per tractor annually.

During the initial commercialization phase, 124 trucks will be deployed. That number is expected to expand to more than 2,000 or more ARC-equipped trucks operating daily in their ARC networks.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership,” says Dr. Çetin Meriçli, CEO and co-founder of Locomation. “We’ve built our ARC technology stack and network strategy to leverage the value of long-established trucking routes and systems. Wilson Logistics is a perfect fit for our first pilot program.”

Locomation trucks are expected to begin operations at Wilson Logistics this spring. At peak implementation, the agreement is expected to operate more than 62 two-truck convoys on 11 ARC segments throughout the United States.

The next step in the partnership anticipates the delivery of more than 1,000 two-truck convoys representing more than 2,000 ARC-equipped trucks operating on more than 68 ARC segments across the nation.