TuSimple Achieves First Driverless Autonomous Truck Run

TuSimple Achieves Driverless Truck Milestone

According to the company, autonomous trucking innovator TuSimple has successfully completed its inaugural autonomous truck journey on public roads, operating entirely without a human driver present in the vehicle. The Autonomous Driving System (ADS) developed by TuSimple managed the entirety of the 80-mile route.

Route Details and Future Plans

The route encompassed both surface streets and highways, connecting a railyard in Tucson, Arizona, with a distribution center in Phoenix. This achievement represents a significant step forward for TuSimple, as it aims to deploy its technology in purpose-built trucks by the year 2024, as stated by president and CEO Cheng Lu.

The one-hour and 20-minute drive along the I-10 corridor, a key freight artery stretching from Los Angeles, California, to Jacksonville, Florida, aligns with the company’s planned commercial operations. TuSimple has established parking infrastructure in Tucson, facilitating this type of testing, Lu explained.

Focus on Technological Advancement

While the truck carried pre-loaded freight, the primary objective of this pilot run was to validate the technology, rather than to demonstrate commercial viability. Over the past year and a half, the company has accumulated 150,000 miles of testing across this highway stretch, completing 1,800 runs. Further testing of the driver-out program is scheduled to continue throughout 2022.

Scaling Towards Full Commercial Deployment

“This is a crucial step in the evolution of our technology, paving the way for full commercial-scale deployment,” Lu conveyed to TechCrunch. “To achieve this, we need to demonstrate the ability to operate reliably without a driver on a specific route and with a particular vehicle type.”

He further emphasized the extensive research and development, capital investment, and dedicated effort required to reach this point. Lu expressed confidence that TuSimple will be the first to achieve full-scale commercial deployment of autonomous trucks.

Arizona as a Hub for Autonomous Vehicle Testing

TuSimple is not alone in achieving driver-out operations in Arizona, a state known for its supportive regulations regarding autonomous vehicle testing and commercialization. Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving division, has been operating driverless robotaxi services in Phoenix since October of the previous year.

Lu believes that highway driving presents greater challenges than urban driving, due to the higher speeds and more demanding control requirements of large commercial vehicles.

Challenges of Autonomous Trucking

“An 80,000-pound Class 8 vehicle traveling at 65 miles per hour requires significantly more control and has a greater stopping distance,” he explained. “Consequently, the safety and reliability demands are substantially higher.”

Achieving Level 4 Autonomy

This pilot program demonstrates that TuSimple has attained Level 4 autonomous technology, as defined by SAE, meaning the system can operate independently without requiring human intervention. The Class 8 truck operated during favorable weather conditions, between 9 p.m. and midnight, a common operating window for many trucking companies.

The ADS successfully navigated surface streets, traffic signals, on-ramps, off-ramps, emergency lane vehicles, and performed highway lane changes in live traffic.

Safety Measures Implemented

As a precautionary measure, unmarked police vehicles maintained a distance of approximately one mile behind the truck, prepared to intervene in case of an emergency stop. Additionally, a survey vehicle operated five miles ahead to identify potential anomalies, and an oversight vehicle remained a half-mile behind, capable of placing the truck in a minimal-risk state.

“Building public trust and acceptance of driverless trucks is paramount for the industry’s progress, and this requires time,” Lu stated. “Taking this initial step with comprehensive safety precautions is essential.”

Partnerships and Future Truck Development

Currently, TuSimple utilizes retrofitted base trucks from Navistar, a key OEM partner. However, the company plans to collaborate on the development of semi-trucks specifically engineered for autonomous operations, with a target launch date of 2024, for sale to external parties, according to Lu.

Significant Order Volume

As of mid-December, DHL Supply Chain has reserved 100 of these autonomous trucks for integration into its logistics network, bringing TuSimple’s total order backlog to 6,875 trucks. The Traton Group, Volkswagen AG’s truck division, has also entered into an agreement with TuSimple to jointly develop self-driving trucks. Both OEM partners hold minority stakes in TuSimple.

Initial Truck Features

The first generation of these trucks will retain a steering wheel for specific tasks within yards, such as shifting gears or connecting/disconnecting the tractor and trailer, which will initially require manual operation.

Addressing the Freight Capacity Challenge

“Achieving Level 4 capabilities is crucial for addressing the significant capacity shortage in the freight industry,” Lu explained. “Demand for truck drivers and trucks is increasing with the growth of e-commerce and on-demand services, while the supply side is facing challenges.”

He highlighted the driver shortage, high turnover rates, rising safety costs, and environmental concerns as contributing factors to supply chain bottlenecks.

“Without new technologies, the situation will only worsen. We need to reach Level 4 autonomy to solve this problem.”