Pony.ai has obtained a license to test platooning Level 4 autonomous trucks on open roads in Guangzhou, China.
This achievement advances the company’s goal of developing a large-scale logistics transportation business using self-driving vehicles.
Pony.ai’s truck fleet travels in a platoon with one self-driving truck leading the way for multiple succeeding autonomous trucks on the highway. This formation reduces operating costs and improves transportation efficiency. What’s more, by eliminating the difference in braking time between front and rear vehicles, this system cuts carbon emissions, alleviates road congestion and reduces traffic accidents.
Currently, Pony.ai’s license permits up to five trucks to travel in this way in Guangzhou.
Pony.ai received its first self-driving truck test license for Guangdong Province in December 2020 and has since continued to improve its technology.
Its trucks now have a test mileage of more than 3 million kilometres, a commercial operation mileage of more than 610,000 kilometres, and a total cargo weight of nearly 40,000 tonnes.
The company ultimately aims to offer self-driving logistics and freight services across China, enabling autonomous trucks to drive on different roads and in varied weather conditions.
