AUTONEWS

Chinese startup specializing in autopilot technology to mass produce self-driving trucks in China

Chinese startup Pony.ai, which specializes in autopilot technology, has announced its intention to mass produce autonomous trucks in China with Sany Heavy Industry as a partner in the project. In a few years, the duo plans to reach production of 10,000 cars a year: this and next year there will be small-scale deliveries and large-scale mass production will begin in 2024.

Pony.ai clarified that the cars will be equipped with a Level 4 autopilot system, which involves driverless driving around town and on highways, but subject to certain restrictions. Currently, the company is only allowed to use these machines in Beijing and Guangzhou.

The basis of the autopilot system for Pony.ai is the NVIDIA DRIVE Orin hardware platform, which is also used by several Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers that implement driver assistance technologies. It is clarified that not all unmanned trucks will be electric vehicles. Pony.ai has not yet released the estimated cost of the trucks and has not said if they will appear outside of China.

Industry experts are of the opinion that it is easier to release unmanned trucks onto public roads than robot taxis: trucks move more on highways, adhering to simpler and more stable routes, while taxi journeys are generally shorter and their routes are more difficult, writes CNBC. Pony.ai also says that autopilot technology will allow trucks to save between 10% and 20% on energy resources.

Image source: pony.ai