Vera – Volvo’s autonomous truck that will change trucking

Shipping goods may seem like a simple task, but it is a lot more complicated process. However, Volvo are aiming at automating this process. Or at least they will try with their new all-electric, autonomous tractor-trailer concept vehicle called Vera.

The autonomous vehicle was announced Thursday. Volvo’s Vera is a compact, battery-electric truck with no provisions for a human driver, and is intended to take over short, repetitive routes based around fixed hubs like a shipping port, or any sort of dense industrial facility.The concept vehicle operates with significantly less exhaust emissions and low noise levels. It is controlled and monitored via a cloud-based service, and has the potential to make transportation safer, cleaner and more efficient.

Vera, however, is still under development. Mikael Karlsson, Vice President Autonomous Solutions at Volvo Trucks, says they still need to take more steps towards securing safety aspects and deliver a premium experience to customers.

As we’ve mentionedearlier, Vera is intended for short, repetitive operations in shipping ports, industrial facilities or mega-logistics centers. Karlsson thinks their new autonomous tractor-trailer will add much higher delivery precision, as well as improved flexibility and productivity. Also, since Vera has no provisions for a human driver and today’s operations often follow the standard daytime work hours, it opens the possibility of continuous round-the-clock operation and a more optimal flow, which will lead to minimizing stock piles and increasing overall productivity.

As to how it will impact people, Mikael Karlsson says that since Vera is an electric vehicle, society can benefit from reduced noise, road congestion and exhaust emissions. Also – round the clock operations mean faster delivery times for consumer goods – who wouldn’t want that?

Vera will be monitored by a cloud-based service, speeding up the worldwide business of logistics. A control center will communicate wirelessly with the Vera trucks and the trucks will communicate with each other, coordinating their routes as efficiently as possible. They are designed to locate their current position to within centimetres, analyse what is happening with other road users, and then respond with high accuracy. Each vehicle operates at low speed to ensure maximum safety.The control center will create routes for each truck, based on the exact truck’s battery charge level, cargo type, location and requirements. From the transport control center, the speed and progress of operations is tailored to avoid unnecessary waiting and to increase delivery precision.

The infrastructure for using and maintaining Vera already exists, since it is designed to use the standard trailer hookups and employs a powertrain from Volvo’s electric trucks.

But is Vera safe?

According to Mikael Karlsson “Everything we do is engineered to be safe, and we are taking all necessary precautions. We are looking at what is needed in terms of infrastructure, on the vehicles and in a control tower. The vehicles have a lower operating speed, and they are equipped with a number of sensors, radars and cameras. By starting with slower speed in a clearly defined area and then gradually increase speed and building infrastructure, we are confident that we are taking a safe path towards automation.”

So, what do you think about this new truck? Do you think it is a gamechanger to the industry?