Volvo Trucks’ recently announced the release of Vera, the brand’s compact, battery-electric truck with no cab for a human driver. The vehicle is intended to take over short, repetitive routes based around fixed hubs like a shipping port, or any sort of dense industrial facility.
The cabless trucks are wirelessly connected for communication through a central control center to coordinate routes based on each truck’s battery levels, cargo type, service requirement and location. Vera uses standard trailer hookups and powertrain already used in Volvo’s electric truck.
“Our system can be seen as an extension of the advanced logistics solutions that many industries already apply today,” Mikael Karlsson, vice president of autonomous solutions for Volvo AB, said in a statement. “Since we use autonomous vehicles with no exhaust emissions and low noise, their operation can take place at any time of day or night. The solution utilizes existing road infrastructure and load carriers, making it easier to recoup costs and allowing for integration with existing operations.”
