A European consortium will look into autonomous vehicle options as part of a wider logistics-based project.
The group will work under the name ATLAS-L4 (Automated Transport between Logistics centres on highways, Level 4).
The selection of companies includes MAN, Knorr-Bremse, Leoni and Bosch.
In addition, Gernrise and BTC Embedded Systems will also be involved.
Specifically, the aim is to improve all aspects of the logistics chain.
For example, the group will look particularly at safety, flexibility and efficiency.
Meanwhile, the European consortium has also revealed plans to have autonomous trucks on the road by 2025.
The ATLAS-L4 project is being supported by various universities in their efforts.
Therefore, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) – and many others – will be involved.
Furthermore, TÜV SÜD and Autobahn GmbH will offer additional support.
Above all, the main goal of the ATLAS-L4 team is to create an autonomous truck that benefits the logistics sector.
Already, the team is targeting opportunities opened up by legislation on autonomous driving in 2021.
Reacting, Frederik Zohm, MAN Truck & Bus’s R&D boss, said the work of the European consortium was essential.
“For MAN, ATLAS-L4 is an important step on the path towards hub-to-hub automation,” he reasoned.
“For example, we are already looking towards future series applications for Logistics 4.0.
“Having the extensive competence of the partners in the ATLAS-L4 project on board is an invaluable advantage.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Jürgen Steinberger, from Knorr-Bremse, said he was looking forward to seeing the end results.
“As part of this project, Knorr-Bremse is in charge of all aspects surrounding the redundant braking system architecture.
“Therefore, this enables the safe and economical operation of Level-4-commercial-vehicles.”
