Dive Brief:
- Ryder System and International Motors have launched an autonomous pilot on the 600-mile trucking route between Laredo and Temple, Texas, the two companies announced March 31.
- International’s factory-integrated autonomous truck features Plus AI’s technology and uses the tech firm’s latest SuperDrive 6.0 software, a PlusAI representative told Trucking Dive in an email. The driving software provides enhanced capabilities for night driving and traversing construction zones.
- “The pilot is an important step forward, moving beyond terminal and maintenance-focused trials to evaluating autonomy in live operations,” Seth deVlugt, senior director of RyderVentures and new product strategy at Ryder, said in the release.
Dive Insight:
The new venture with Ryder expands upon an existing collaboration between International and PlusAI, which launched fleet trials on routes between Laredo and Dallas in September.
Ryder is International’s inaugural customer for its fleet trial, the truck maker said in the release. By allowing both companies to evaluate performance, reliability and operating requirements in real-world conditions, the goal is to showcase how autonomous technology can seamlessly integrate into existing customer operations, per the release.
"In partnering with fleet customers to determine path-to-deployment, we're focused on integrating factory-ready virtual driver software into existing transport operations, without the need for dedicated autonomous terminals," James Cooper, head of autonomous solutions for International, said in the release.
Initial results from the pilot have shown promise, including 100% on-time delivery, 92% autonomous route coverage with a supervised human safety driver and improved fuel efficiency, per the release.
Cooper said International’s collaboration with Ryder “underscores our shared commitment to practical autonomous fleet deployment” and added that working together could lead to “scalable, commercial solutions.”
Partnering with OEMs is part of PlusAI’s strategy to rapidly deploy its autonomous technology globally.
PlusAI CEO David Liu said in a statement that working with Ryder and International is a step “toward validating commercial readiness while enabling continuous improvement.”
“Every mile driven helps to strengthen our system’s intelligence, safety and efficiency,” Liu said. “Our goal is to accelerate the path to scalable, self-driving freight operations that deliver lasting value to fleet and OEM partners.”
