TuSimple makes software for self-driving trucks. They drove over 39 kilometers in normal traffic on a public road in China. The company said that there was no one in the car and no one was helping them.
The Shanghai government permitted the test drive to take place on the roads that were used. The Yangshan Deep-water Port Logistics Park and the Donghai Bridge were two of them. TuSimple got a license to test self-driving cars in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area last week.
The self-driving truck made by TuSimple China was put to the test on a range of roads and highways near ports. There were stoplights, go signs, exit, and entrance ramps, lane changes, emergency vehicles, lane closures, fog, and wind gusts.
A backup car went with the self-driving truck, but it didn’t get in the way of its work. The group worked together with the government and law enforcement.
TuSimple Prepares for Driverless Operation for 2 Years
Cheng Lu is the president and CEO of TuSimple. He stated that conducting a driver-out run in China is a significant milestone in a news release on Thursday.
TuSimple succeeded in a driver-out run in the US in 2021, showcasing its leadership in the autonomous driving industry.
In late June 2021, Rival Plus completed a 20-mile autonomous run in China. The location is Jiangsu Province, China. The highway used is Wufengshan Highway. It is close to Shanghai.
In December 2021, a prototype project was completed on Interstate 10 with no person in the cab. The same stretch of the interstate is now being used. TuSimple plans a commercial run between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona next year.
TuSimple laid off 300 American workers in May. It abandoned plans to sell or spin off its China business. It declared intentions to conduct autonomous testing in Japan.
Final Wording
TuSimple completed a driverless truck pilot in the US in 2021. They conducted the first in China. The route covered nearly 39 miles on public roads approved by the Shanghai government.
This news could have a positive or negative impact on the logistics industry. Driverless trucks offer benefits such as lower costs, higher efficiency, improved safety, and reduced emissions. Job displacement, regulatory uncertainty, ethical dilemmas, and cyber risks are challenges posed by AI.
Driverless trucks’ success depends on integration with existing systems and stakeholders. It also depends on addressing potential issues.
