An autonomous S-Way truck could be around the corner after Iveco signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Plus.
Plus is a global autonomous trucking company and will assist Iveco in its efforts with autonomous trucks.
Under the terms of the MOU, Iveco and Plus will integrate the truck manufacturer’s latest-generation S-Way with the PlusDrive full-stack autonomous driving system.
In addition, the cooperation will explore using an liquefied natural gas (LNG) engine system to power the vehicles.
Importantly, the partnership combines Iveco’s expertise in trucks with Plus’s cutting-edge autonomous driving technology.
As a result, the end product is hopefully a safe, fuel efficient, and scalable self-driving truck.
Currently, Iveco works with a number of suppliers on ADAS solutions.
However, the area of Level 4 autonomy required some extra resources within the organisation.
Marco Liccardo, chief technology and digital officer, Iveco described Plus as ‘the perfect partner’ for autonomous vehicles.
“Cooperation with Plus represents an excellent opportunity to accelerate development of the highest levels of automation of heavy trucks.
Furthermore, Liccardo praised Plus for its technology leadership and non-linear thinking.
Meanwhile, Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-founder, Plus said he was thrilled to partner with IVECO.
“Our teams will work closely to develop and deploy autonomous trucks, including one that is powered by natural gas,” he added.
Plus, headquartered in Silicon Valley, is applying full-stack self-driving technology to trucks today to enable large scale autonomous commercial transport.
PACCAR, Volvo Trucks and Scania have already made announcements this year about driverless vehicles.
An autonomous S-Way could be one of many similar vehicles arriving on the market around the same time, as fleets look into driverless options.
