Dive Brief:
- PlusAI has secured a $25 million commitment from Volkswagen Group affiliate Traton Group to aid in scaling production of autonomous trucks, the company announced Jan. 26.
- The autonomous trucking technology company’s arrangement with the Germany-based Traton Group expands upon an existing partnership that’s funding the commercial launch of factory-built driverless trucks in 2027.
- Aligning with established manufacturers is part of PlusAI’s strategy to rapidly deploy its technology globally as it moves closer toward its U.S. public offering, PlusAI’s COO and co-founder Shawn Kerrigan told Trucking Dive.
Dive Insight:
PlusAI is among a growing field of developers aiming for the widespread deployment of autonomous driving technology in the trucking industry. Others, including Kodiak AI and Aurora Innovation, have also aligned with OEMs and carriers to test their self-driving technology stacks and lock in long-term commitments to grow their respective businesses.
In an email response to questions, Kerrigan noted that the scale of the global trucking market is large enough to accommodate multiple autonomous technology developers.
However, PlusAI wants to differentiate itself from the pack.
Kerrigan said the company’s June 2025 S-4 filing for its merger with Churchill Capital Corp IX was recently declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The merger is now expected to close in February, he said.
Once the company completes its IPO, the expected cash infusion should be sufficient to take the company through commercialization, Kerrigan said.
He also noted that it was essential for the company to partner with OEM truck manufacturers.
“We believe the OEM-led, factory-built model is essential to safe, scalable commercial deployment,” Kerrigan said. “Working with companies with established brands, including Tranton’s International and Hyundai, ensures safety and scalability that retrofits can’t achieve,” he added.
The expanded partnership with Traton Group opens the way for the OEM to nominate a member to PlusAI’s board following its planned public offering, per the press announcement. It also ensures access to Traton Group’s manufacturing resources and the use of PlusAI’s technology across Traton’s truck brands.
Although he would not disclose the carrier’s name, Kerrigan said the company is conducting fleet trials with a “top-10 for-hire carrier” in Texas. The company is also road testing its technology in Sweden with Traton, as well as in Spain with Italy-based commercial vehicle maker Iveco.
“In terms of rollout, our initial focus is the U.S. and Europe, starting with key freight corridors and then expanding to additional markets over time with our OEM partners,” Kerrigan said.
