Cabless Scania AXL Is Brand’s First Fully Autonomous Truck

Following the NXT Concept that envisions a self-driving urban bus/commercial vehicle, Scania has developed yet another autonomous machine.

It’s called the Scania AXL and it’s a concept for a fully autonomous heavy truck, a fact made obvious by the complete lack of a cab. A new intelligent front module replaces the traditional cab, but even so, the AXL is easily recognizable as a Scania as it features the company’s modular system at the heart of the design.

Interestingly, and unlike most autonomous concepts, the AXL does not have all-electric propulsion but is instead powered by an internal combustion engine using renewable biofuel. According to the VW Group-owned company, this is an example of “how traditional and new technology is mixed.” Speaking of new tech, the Scania AXL also features cameras, radar, lidar, and GPS receivers to help it navigate through mines and large closed construction sites.

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These environments are ideal “playgrounds” for self-driving trucks since they are well-controlled locations. In mines, for example, a logistics system tells the vehicle how it should perform. It’s worth noting that Scania’s first fully autonomous concept truck is designed for a level that meets the operational needs of mines and isn’t yet street smart.

Scania aims to be one of the first truck makers to offer fully autonomous heavy trucks that would allow industries such as these to streamline their transport needs and make them more sustainable.

“We already have self-driving trucks in customer operations. However so far, they have been with room for a safety driver who can intervene if necessary. Scania AXL does not have a cab and that changes the game significantly,” explains Claes Erixon, Head of Research and Development at Scania.

“The development in self-driving vehicles has made great strides in the past years. We still don’t have all the answers, but through concept vehicles like Scania AXL we break new ground and continue to learn at great speed,” he adds.