UK consortium for autonomous hydrogen HGV

Led by Glasgow’s Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS), the Hub2Hub project will build two different prototype vehicles. While both will be capable of Level 4 autonomous driving, the first will feature a cab for a safety driver. The second will not, instead having an aerodynamically optimised cabless tractor which can be teleoperated by a driver from a control centre.

“A transport revolution is taking place in the UK and HVS, together with the consortium, is at the forefront of the innovation,” said HVS CEO Jawad Khursheed.

“We are engineering the world’s first autonomous hydrogen-electric powered HGV to demonstrate hub-to-hub logistics to a leading retailer, ASDA, to elevate public perception, showcasing the potential autonomy can deliver thanks to increased safety and fuel savings, and develop new business models.”

The autonomous software for the trucks will be provided by Bristol’s Fusion Processing, whose CAVStar system combines vision systems, AI and route planning. The platform allows full autonomy to be swapped out with onboard or teleoperated driver control at predetermined points along a route, with the HGV self-driving between hubs and human drivers taking over when the vehicle nears its destination.