International Motors on Monday launched customer fleet trials of its second-generation autonomous vehicles.
In partnership with PlusAI, International will pilot its autonomous on-highway tractor along the Interstate 35 corridor between Laredo and Dallas with select fleet operators.
The fleet trials will be managed from International's autonomous hub in San Antonio, collaborating with customers to get a deeper understanding of real-world applications.
"Deep customer collaboration is essential to understanding how autonomous systems can optimize freight routes, enhance safety, and lower operating costs," said James Cooper, International's director of autonomous business development. "This shared learning will guide the roadmap for scaling autonomy across major freight hubs, beginning with key corridors like I-35."
An updated sensor suite and computer have been factory installed on an International LT Series powered by the S13 Integrated Powertrain and outfitted with the latest generation AI-based SuperDrive autonomous driving software from PlusAI.
SuperDrive, trained by real-world driving data, is built on end-to-end AI models that make it adaptable to new routes, geographies, and driving conditions. The multimodal sensor kit combines imaging radar, lidar, and strategically placed cameras around the vehicle for 360-degree visibility.
The pilot program, International Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Tobias Glitterstam said, is "a big step toward seamless digital operations that are designed to deliver an exceptional customer experience. By working hand-in-hand with our customers, we are proving the commercial viability of autonomous technologies and providing innovative solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and the bottom line."
OEMs get involved
Trucking OEMs have deeply ingrained themselves in the ongoing development of autonomous systems and in refining how the technologies can work on the highway.
Volvo Autonomous Solutions, a Transport as a Service (TaaS) collaboration with self-driving tech startup Aurora, was launched in 2020 to develop and commercialize autonomous transport solutions, and has since inked partnerships with Uber Freight, DHL and Ascend (CCJ Top 250, No. 162).
Aurora is also a Paccar driverless partner, which in May briefly took its human test drivers out of the cab before reversing course.
Volvo Autonomous Solutions earlier this year entered into a strategic partnership with generative AI developer Waabi for the joint development and deployment of autonomous trucks.
Daimler Truck North America in April started delivering its latest flagship on-highway trucks to the autonomous testing fleet of Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck. In addition to existing test routes in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona, these trucks will also be tested in autonomous mode on a new lane in Texas between Laredo and Dallas, mainly on I-35, DTNA said. Torc recently announced it has signed a leasing agreement for an autonomous hub in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This hub will serve as the operational base for its autonomous testing efforts, customer freight pilots and future commercialization.
