- Starting in the latter part of next year, Nikola will start providing an advanced driver-assistance system on its electric heavy trucks.
- The system, made by Plus and called PlusDrive, is similar to highway driving systems offered by automakers including Tesla, General Motors and Ford Motor.
- The test of prototype PlusDrive-enabled semitrucks has been approved by a number of Nikola’s fleet customers, including PGT Trucking and Christenson Transportation, according to Nikola.
Nikola will begin offering an advanced driver-assist system on its electric heavy trucks starting late next year, the company said Wednesday.
The system, made by Plus and called PlusDrive, is similar to the highway driving systems offered by automakers including Tesla, General Motors and Ford Motor – while a human driver must be present and attentive, the system can handle most highway driving tasks on its own, in addition to assisting the human driver in non-highway situations including backing up to loading docks.
Plus says its “autonomous driving technology offers the industry’s best-in-class perception system and deep learning models to quickly, accurately, and safely perceive the vehicle’s surroundings, predict what’s coming next, and control the vehicle to make its next move.”
But a Nikola representative told CNBC the system as it will be integrated into the company’s semitrucks is designed to be an “eyes-on-road, hands-on-wheel” system.
According to a press release from Nikola CEO Michael Lohscheller, the electric steering and braking systems already present in the company’s trucks will make it easier to integrate Plus’ system, which uses radar, cameras, and lidar sensors to detect objects around the truck.
Iveco, an Italian heavy-truck manufacturer and a long-time Nikola partner, already uses Plus’ PlusDrive system. Early this month, Iveco started testing its own trucks with PlusDrive capabilities.
PGT Trucking and Christenson Transportation, among others, have agreed to test prototype Nikola semitrucks with PlusDrive, according to Nikola. By the end of 2024, the company hopes to have PlusDrive available on all of its regular production fuel cell and battery-electric trucks.
Before the United States, Nikola is expected to release its fourth-quarter and full-year results. markets open on Thursday.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/
