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.
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“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.
“Our market analysis indicates that the commercial vehicle segments such as haulage are where we will see autonomous vehicle technology first used in large scale deployments,” said Fusion Processing CEO Jim Hutchinson.
“Hub2Hub is a perfect showcase of what the advanced version of our CAVstar Automated Drive System can achieve. Combining SAE Level 4 autonomous driving with teleoperation to deliver safer and more efficient vehicle operations.”
Vehicle trials are scheduled to begin in 2024, with consortium partner ASDA providing input on end user needs. As well as delivering efficiencies in the logistics sector, it is hoped that autonomous HGVs could speed up the decarbonisation of heavy vehicles and reduce the substantial carbon footprint of road haulage.
“Reducing our fleet emissions is a major part of our plan of moving towards net zero, so we are keen to look at innovative new technology, such as autonomous HGV tractor units, which can make a real difference to our carbon footprint,” said ASDA Senior Fleet Manager Sean Clifton said:
“We will continue to work with like-minded partners on projects such as this to reduce our impact on the environment.”
Hub2Hub’s £6.6m grant is one of seven announced today by the UK’s Centre for Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and part of its Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) programme.
Poll: Should the UK’s railways be renationalised?
I think that a network inclusive of the vehicles on it would make sense. However it remains to be seen if there is any plan for it to be for the...