The first self-driving truck in day-to-day operation could be a Scania mining truck at an Australian mine operation, according to he Swedish company.
Scania has been leading the way in research into driverless trucks, with tests under real-life conditions not far away. Some of Scania’s customers in Australia are already discussing potential application opportunities for the future.
In Australia, Scania is already in dialogue with a number of customers regarding potential applications for driverless trucks, both on road and in off-road non-traffic environments.
“We see a lot of opportunity for Scania to leverage its autonomous truck technology in the not-so-distant future in Australia,” says Robert Taylor, general manager of Scania Australia’s mining and resources division.
“Customers are already talking with us to find out how we can assist them to implement this technology for specific applications. There is also a lot of interest in platooning for road train line-haul work as well,” he says.
Currently, European prototypes are being tested under gruelling conditions, testing the remote control capabilities of the technology, as well as assessing how the vehicle responds without hands-on control.
Scania’s ‘Astator’ test vehicles have been developed to the point they can now drive around with an empty driver’s seat on a test track, running through simulations of loading and unloading under remote control. Test vehicles are also capable of safely dealing with obstacles on the road.
“Mines are environments that are especially well suited to self-driving vehicles,” says Lars Hjorth, responsible for pre-development within ‘Autonomous Transport Solutions’ at Scania.
Up to now, the mining industry has relied upon large and expensive construction-style vehicles for its heavy transport requirements.
But interest is increasing around the world in smaller scale and more flexible solutions, involving specialised mining trucks.
“A truck solution is more cost effective, with the total cost per transported tonne being significantly lower. The infrastructure costs are also reduced as trucks don’t require specially reinforced roads,” says Hjorth.
A 20-member team within Scania’s research and development department is researching self-driving vehicles and the peripheral systems needed to make them a part of tomorrow’s transport system in various areas.
“Self-driving mining trucks could become a reality within a few years, and the impetus and potential is here today,” adds Hjorth.
“The next step could be self-driving container trucks in ports. And after that the technology will also come to the long haul transport sector, with self-driving vehicles driving between large transport centres where their cargoes are then loaded into last mile delivery trucks.”
