Locomation and Wilson Logistics recently completed an on-road pilot program transporting commercial freight autonomously.
During the pilot, two Locomation trucks hauling Wilson Logistics trailers and freight were deployed as an Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARCTM), traveling a 420-mile route from Oregon to Idaho, according to a news release. As they drove along I-84, the trucks encountered challenging conditions that included curvatures, grades and wind gusts.
One driver piloted the lead truck, which was equipped with technology augmentation. The follower truck operated in tandem through the fully autonomous system, allowing the follower driver to rest.
“Despite the threat of COVID-19, we delivered real world results for the most advanced, efficient and safest solution to make commercial autonomous trucking a reality,” said Dr. Çetin Meriçli, CEO and co-founder of Locomation, according to the release. “Most importantly, the pilot strongly proved that our autonomous technology can be integrated seamlessly and deployed within a real trucking operation in a sustained fashion.”
The ARCTM covered about 3,400 miles during the initial 8-day pilot phase, operating autonomously about half the time and delivering 14 commercial loads. A trained driver and safety engineer were in each truck to monitor vehicle and AV system performance.
Wilson Logistics risk management consultancy Aon also participated in the program to assess safety metrics.
The companies will initially operate more than 124 ARCTM equipped tractors in two-truck convoys on 11 ARCTM segments throughout the United States. The next phase of the program is expected to deliver more than 1,000 two-truck convoys representing more than 2,000 ARC-equipped trucks operating on more than 68 ARCTM segments across the country.
