TuSimple, ZF Partner on Autonomous Big Rigs

TuSimple. It’s an interesting name for a company with a daunting goal: autonomous operation of long-haul Class 8 trucks from depot to depot, over highways and surface streets.

To live up to its mission, the 5-year-old startup is taking a pragmatic—and collaborative—approach to deliver the goods.

This has led to tech partnerships with Amazon Web Services (edge computing), Nvidia (semiconductors) and Sony (cameras and electronics), as well as with shipping and trucking experts, such as Penske, McLane, Navistar, UPS and the U.S. Postal Office.

Next Stop: Commercialization

TuSimple, which has been conducting test runs of self-driving trucks from Arizona to Texas for more than a year, now is turning to supplier heavyweight ZF to help refine and commercialize its technology.

(Image: TuSimple)

This means working together to deliver automotive grade sensors (lidar, radar and cameras), steering and computing systems. ZF also will provide the ProAi control system it developed in conjunction with Nvidia.

In addition, the mega-supplier will contribute engineering support to validate and integrate TuSimple’s autonomous system into production vehicles.

Here to There

TuSimple currently operates a fleet of more than 40 Level 4 autonomous trucks that make as many as 20 self-driven trips per week. These vehicles have a backup driver onboard to take control if necessary.

With ZF’s help, TuSimple plans to begin driverless tests in 2021 and commercialize the technology as early as 2023.

ZF also is developing its own semi- and fully autonomous technologies, including a Level 4 system for commercial trucks that it aims to launch by mid-decade.

Why Trucks?

Commercial trucks are well suited for autonomous operations. They typically operate over fixed routes, which can be easily mapped and updated with high-definition systems.

Trucks also stand to benefit from the safety and fuel efficiency benefits enabled by self-driving operations. In recent tests, for example, TuSimple demonstrated that its autonomous technology can help reduce fuel consumption by 10% through more efficient acceleration and braking.

Autonomous operation also could help alleviate the dearth of truck drivers. In 2018, the industry was short about 60,800 drivers, which is 20% more severe than the previous year, according to the American Trucking Assn.

Making it Work

Trucks also have unique challenges that can’t be met with the same technologies being developed for passenger vehicles. This includes longer acceleration and braking distances, less maneuverability and different driving dynamics.

To meet such requirements, TuSimple’s sensor array teams lidar and radar with nine long-range cameras along with the company’s computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms. The combination allows automated trucks to recognize and calculate the 3D position, speed and trajectory of objects from a distance of 1,000 meters (0.62 miles).

Making it work is no easy task. That’s why partnerships with ZF and others are so important.

TuSimple underscores the point on its website: “We focus on what we do best and partner with leading shipping and technology companies to develop the safest and most reliable autonomous system possible.”