Cab-less autonomous truck gets greenlight to cruise on US public roadsr

What began as a radical concept design for a driverless truck, is now the first fully autonomous rig to receive permission from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to cruise on US public roads.

Freight technology company Einride’s Pod keeps the massive shipping container, but is without the front cab – leaving no room for a human operator.

Instead, a so-called Remote Pod Operator, described as ‘a first of its kind role,’ monitors the robotic truck from a different location.

The Swedish company says its Pod runs entirely on electric power with a range of 124 miles on a single charge.

The Remote Pod Operators will observe and support an Einride Pod that is operating in automated drive mode to ensure they run optimally and safely as they ship goods on behalf of Einride’s customers,’ the company says.

Duties for the Pod will include the movement of goods and coordinating with teams at various warehouses for loading and unloading.

Robert Falck, CEO and Founder at Einride, said in a statement: ‘This is a type of vehicle that has never before been seen on U.S. roads and marks a major milestone as a turning point for the future of the freight industry.’

‘We know the autonomous and electric technology of our pod will not only revolutionize transportation but also create thousands of jobs and help America stay competitive.’

The firm notes that Pod is compatible with standard shipping containers and can be customized depending on its need. 

The robo-rig will begin its official work on a mixed traffic, mile-long stretch of road between a General Electric Appliance (GEA) factory and a warehouse in Selmer, Tennessee beginning in the third quarter of 2022. 

Instead, a so-called Remote Pod Operator, described as ‘a first of its kind role,’ monitors the robotic truck from a different location

The robo-rig will begin its official work on a mixed traffic, mile-long stretch of road between a General Electric Appliance (GEA) factory and a warehouse in Selmer, Tennessee beginning in the third quarter of 2022

This will include the movement of goods and coordinating with teams at various warehouses for loading and unloading. 

Einride was the first to have a fleet of operational autonomous and electric vehicles on US soil in partnership with GEA in 2021.

‘We are creating a more sustainable and efficient supply chain through increased electrification and automation in our manufacturing and distribution operations,’ said Bill Good, Vice President of Supply Chain for GE Appliances. 

‘We’ve appreciated working with Einride in demonstrating how their Pod technology can help us accelerate achievement of that goal.’

This will include the movement of goods and coordinating with teams at various warehouses for loading and unloading

Einride first unveiled its design in 2017 that it said would be the end ‘heavy, noisy trucks with monstrous emissions’.

Einride COO Filip Lilja said in 2017: ‘Einride is transforming the existing transport chain from the ground up.

‘The big companies behind long haul trucks keep building bigger trucks to increase efficiency, which ultimately means even more emissions.

‘We are changing that by creating a secure solution that is, not only cost effective, but dramatically minimizes the negative environmental impact of the transportation industry.’