Guided by Safety: The Path to Driverless Trucks with Volvo

News snapshot:

• We’ve been closed-track testing the all-new autonomous Volvo VNL since late 2023

• The soon-to-be-released autonomous Volvo VNL is a purpose-designed, production-ready, autonomous truck with robust redundant systems for safety

Our goal with Volvo has always been simple but powerful: make our roads safer at commercial scale. Together, we are developing autonomous trucks with Volvo and launching an industry-leading driverless service with Volvo Autonomous Solutions (V.A.S.).

“Volvo and Aurora are the emerging leaders in autonomous transportation,” said Nils Jaeger, the President of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, at our recent Analyst and Investor Day. “Jointly, we have the highest credibility, clear progress, and a clear roadmap to launch and scalable production. Together, we are building the strongest ecosystem in the AV space.”

The all-new autonomous Volvo VNL has been developed with a focus on safety and reliability – distinctive characteristics that have defined the Volvo brand for almost 100 years. This purpose-built platform is the result of Volvo’s rigorous development process and is designed for deep integration with the Aurora Driver, allowing for safe commercial driverless operation at scale.

Together, we are testing critical functionality and will have complete validation of all safety-critical redundant systems before operating without a human driver. Volvo is designing, developing, and installing these systems in close coordination with Aurora. This lockstep development lays the necessary groundwork for the large-scale deployment of trucks backed by Volvo’s well-oiled design, production, sales, service, and support apparatus.

“It’s a complex undertaking to build an autonomous system and an autonomy-enabled truck. Anyone can do a proof of concept – anyone can do a demo. To put a truck on the road with built-in redundancy is a completely different ball game,” added Jaeger.

Over the next year, we are focused on a sequence of critical steps to prepare for a successful driverless launch:

• Ongoing safety, performance, and reliability tests of the Aurora Driver and redundant truck

• Starting commercial pilots with key customers with a safety driver

• Collecting the data necessary to confirm the combined system meets the exacting requirements of our Safety Case and Volvo’s industry-leading safety standards

This measured rollout follows automotive best practices developed and proven over decades for the introduction of new vehicle platforms. Our confidence in the rigor of the process matters to us and our customers.

For more on our work together and how safety drives our work, please check out V.A.S.’ “Perspectives in Autonomy” series on LinkedIn.