Watch the video below and you’ll see that the autonomous system fitted to an Iveco S-Way that is running around Germany’s road system looks ready for entering production. There are no major visual differences compared to the Tesla enhanced autopilot system or the Ford Blue Cruise that powers the Mustang Mach E except that this system is fitted to a 40 tonne truck.
Iveco are working with Plus on the Iveco S-Way truck equipped with PlusDrive, Plus’s enhanced driver-assist solution based on its open autonomy platform, which has now started operating on public roads in Germany.
The milestone follows a rigorous testing and validation process including extensive closed-course testing, validation of previously collected public road data and in-depth training for the test drivers on the advanced safety features of the truck. In addition, TÜV SÜD tested the functional safety of the safety concept for public road testing. The collection of expansive real-world data during this important phase of public road testing will prepare the driver-in automated truck for future industrialisation.
“By making trucking safer, easier, and more sustainable, the new generation of powerful AI-based predictive safety technology like PlusDrive can help reduce the risk of accidents, improve fuel economy, enhance driver retention and ease truck driver shortage across Europe. We are excited to enter this next phase of our partnership with Plus, and demonstrate the increasing maturity of our Iveco S-Way with PlusDrive through public road testing and commercial operations” said Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Iveco Group.
Equipped with state-of-the art, AI-based autonomous driving software and advanced sensors including lidars, radars, and cameras, PlusDrive provides drivers with superhuman awareness of the vehicle’s surroundings. Public road testing will continue in Germany over the next several months and expand to Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland so that real-world data can be collected from the diverse roadways and driving conditions across the region. The testing will also demonstrate that PlusDrive can safely and automatically handle driver-supervised maneuvers, including lane centering, cut-ins, lane merges, driver initiated or system suggested lane changes, traffic jam assist, and nudging.
Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-founder at Plus, said: “We are proud of the hard work that the Iveco and Plus teams have poured into getting this innovative driving solution on public roads for testing. Some of the world’s largest fleets already use PlusDrive to deliver commercial freight. The sooner we can make this commercial product available to more fleets, the bigger impact we can have.”
To see the Iveco S-Way enabled by PlusDrive in action, please watch the video here: