Volvo, the Swedish automotive group, has officially announced the opening of its office in Fort Worth, Texas, which will serve as a central hub for its planned automated trucking services in the state. The new facility, operated by Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS), aims to streamline efforts and coordinate operations as the company prepares for the launch of commercial autonomous hub-to-hub transportation.
While the long-term objective is to establish autonomous freight corridors between major Texan cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston, Volvo Autonomous Solutions will initially focus on utilizing trucks with drivers to cater to its customers, including industry giants like DHL and Uber Freight. This strategy will enable Volvo to develop robust frameworks and procedures for ensuring safe and reliable operations.
Nils Jaeger, President of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, emphasized the company’s commitment to facilitating autonomous transport on a larger scale. He stated, “We firmly believe that the key to achieving widespread autonomy lies in minimizing complexities and obstacles related to ownership and operations for our customers. This is why we have chosen to be the sole interface for our customers, taking full responsibility for all the elements required in commercial autonomous transport.”
By inaugurating its office in Texas and commencing operational activities, Volvo is laying the groundwork for a transformative transportation solution that will revolutionize the movement of goods on highways. The envisioned “hub to hub” model involves Volvo autonomous trucks operating on highways around the clock. To complete the entire journey, human drivers will take over at designated “transfer hubs” after the loads are delivered to the initial “starting hubs” by the autonomous trucks.
Volvo has partnered with Aurora Innovation, based in Pittsburgh, to integrate their cutting-edge Aurora Driver technology into their trucks. The technology incorporates a range of advanced sensors and powerful computing capabilities to enable autonomous functionality.
The decision to establish an office in Texas further solidifies the state’s position as a prominent hub for autonomous truck testing in the United States. Texas has emerged as a preferred destination due, in part, to California’s reservations regarding fully autonomous heavy vehicles.
Volvo’s endeavor to reshape the transportation industry through autonomous trucking aligns with its goal of optimizing industry capacity and alleviating the increasing demand for freight. Sasko Cuklev, Volvo’s head of on-road solutions, explained, “We aim to create new avenues for industry growth that will not only alleviate the pressure stemming from rising freight demands but also provide local drivers with opportunities for shorter-haul jobs, allowing them to stay closer to home. This approach will unlock significant efficiencies throughout the entire supply chain, benefiting all stakeholders in the transportation industry.”
