Scania launches autonomous hub-to-hub transport

Scania is expanding its development of autonomous hub-to-hub transport solutions, with the launch of an Autonomous Commercial Pilot Program. As part of the launch Scania will be involved in a new partnership with US-based Plus, which will integrate its Level 4, fully autonomous SuperDrive technology into Scania trucks.

The Scania Autonomous Commercial Pilot Program is part of an increased focus on establishing customer-driven testing to demonstrate the hub-to-hub technology which Scania says will deliver real value to customers’ operations.

This new solution stands out due to its adaptability to customers’ specific routes and transport profiles.

“We are committed to developing fully integrated autonomous solutions," says Peter Hafmar, Vice-President and Head of Autonomous Solutions. "This means technology that is fitted and supported directly from the factory and a solution that is designed to be operated by our customers in their existing infrastructure and operational flow,” he added.

The expectation is that Scania’s autonomous hub-to-hub solutions will help increase its customers’ operating efficiency, lower their transport emissions and improve road safety, while also addressing the growing global driver shortage.

The launch and announcement are the latest stage on Scania’s autonomous journey. The company, which has already been testing autonomous transport solutions on Swedish roads since 2021, has plans to expand the pilot operations with customers in other European countries during 2024.

“By expanding our autonomous hub-to-hub program we are taking a leading position in providing autonomous solutions to our customers,” says Peter Hafmar.

Scania trucks equipped with Plus’s Level 4 autonomous driving systems are already being tested on public roads in Europe with a safety driver on board. The two companies will pilot commercial operations with fleets, then start series production and global commercial deployment.

“Plus is delighted to be selected by Scania as their long-term autonomy technology partner. We will leverage our experience deploying our highly modular and flexible autonomous driving software globally to help accelerate their development of high performance autonomous trucks that will safely and easily integrate into customer operations and be deployed commercially at scale,” says Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-Founder of Plus.