Volvo Trucks is developing a new type of transport solution consisting of autonomous electric commercial vehicles that can contribute to more efficient, safer and cleaner transportation. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

Gothenburg, Sweden - September/October 2018

Volvo Trucks is now presenting a new transport solution consisting of autonomous electric commercial vehicles that can contribute to more efficient, safer and cleaner transportation.

The long-term goal is to offer companies that need continuous transport services between fixed hubs a complement to today’s offerings.

The autonomous electric vehicle has zero exhaust emissions and low noise levels. It is used as a tractor unit and compatible with existing load carriers/trailers. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

Growing world population and increasing urbanization are leading to significant challenges to solve environmental issues such as congestion, pollution and noise.

Rising consumption, the fast growth of e-commerce and the wide-spread shortage of drivers put higher demands on efficient transport solutions.

The operation is handled by autonomous electric vehicles linked to a cloud service and a transport control centre, which continuously monitors the progress of the transport. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

"The full potential of the transport industry is yet to be seen. Everything suggests that the global need for transportation will continue to significantly increase in the coming decade. If we are to meet this demand in a sustainable and efficient way, we must find new solutions. In order to secure a smoothly functioning goods flow system we also need to exploit existing infrastructure better than currently. The transport system we are developing can be an important complement to today's solutions and can help meet many of the challenges faced by society, transport companies and transport buyers," says Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks.

The propulsion is entirely electric, zero exhaust emissions and with low noise level. The driveline and battery pack are of the same type as that used in Volvo Trucks’ electric trucks. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

Volvo Trucks' future transport solution is intended to be used for regular and repetitive tasks characterised by relatively short distances, large volumes of goods and high delivery precision. Transports between logistic hubs are typical examples, but additional use cases can also be applicable.

The transport solution consists of autonomous, connected electric vehicles linked to a cloud service and a transport control centre. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

"Our system can be seen as an extension of the advanced logistics solutions that many industries already apply today. Since we use autonomous vehicles with no exhaust emissions and low noise, their operation can take place at any time of day or night. The solution utilises existing road infrastructure and load carriers, making it easier to recoup costs and allowing for integration with existing operations," explains Mikael Karlsson, Vice President Autonomous Solutions.

Volvo Trucks is developing a new type of transport solution for repetitive transports involving high precision between fixed hubs, as a complement to today’s solution. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

The operation is handled by autonomous electric vehicles linked to a cloud service and a transport control centre.

The vehicles are equipped with sophisticated systems for autonomous driving.

They are designed to locate their current position to within centimetres, monitor in detail and analyse what is happening with other road users, and then respond with high accuracy.

”Our system can be seen as an extension of the advanced logistics solution that many industries already apply today”, says Mikael Karlsson, Vice President Autonomous Solutions, Volvo Trucks. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

The transport control centre continuously monitors the progress of the transport and keeps an accurate watch of each vehicle's position, the batteries' charge, load content, service requirements and a number of other parameters.

As with an industrial production process, speed and progress are tailored to avoid unnecessary waiting and to increase delivery precision. In this way it will be possible to minimise waste in the form of buffer stocks, and increase availability.

Vehicles that operate on the same route cooperate to create optimal flow.

In the near future, Volvo Trucks' transport solution will be further developed together with selected customers in prioritized applications.

Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

Facts

• Volvo Trucks is developing a new type of transport solution for repetitive transports involving high precision between fixed hubs, as a complement to today's solutions.

• The transport solution consists of autonomous, connected, electric vehicles and a transport control centre.

• The vehicles are used as tractor units and are compatible with existing load carriers/trailers.

• The propulsion is entirely electric with zero exhaust emissions and low noise levels. The driveline and battery pack are of the same type that are used in Volvo Trucks' electric trucks.


LINK to website:  www.volvotrucks.com/vera 


Video
Volvo Trucks – Introducing Vera, the future of autonomous transport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gc1zz5bl8I&feature=youtu.be  

Mikael Karlsson, Vice President Autonomous Solutions, Volvo Trucks. Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks

Vera is an autonomous vehicle that forms part of a larger system.
It has the potential to optimise transport in highly-repetitive, short distance flows with large volumes of goods, such as ports, factory areas and logistical mega centres, where it offers better delivery precision and flexibility.

The sophisticated technology enables round-the-clock operations, while the electric drivelines means a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and noise levels.

A cloud-based service connects each vehicle to a transport control centre, which continuously monitors and optimises the logistics flow.

In the near future, Vera will be further developed by Volvo Trucks together with selected customers in prioritised applications.

Visit Volvo Trucks website:  http://www.volvotrucks.com/vera  

Volvo Trucks on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/VolvoTrucks  

https://www.youtube.com/VolvoTrucks  

https://twitter.com/VolvoTrucks  

https://www.linkedin.com/company/volvo-trucks  

https://plus.google.com/+volvotrucks  

https://www.flickr.com/photos/volvotrucks  

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https://instagram.com/volvotrucks  


Source: Volvo Trucks

https://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/news/press-release.html  



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