A consortium led by Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) in the UK has been awarded £6.6 million ($8.07 million) in government funding to develop and deliver the world’s first autonomous, hydrogen-powered HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle).
The consortium, dubbed Hub2Hub, which will begin vehicle trials in 2024 in partnership with British supermarket chain, was selected by the Center for Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) as a recipient for its joint industry and government-funded project. Two prototype vehicles will initially be built.
The first prototype will feature a driver’s cab and be equipped with Fusion Processing’s Automated Drive System, CAVStar, while also having a human safety driver at the wheel. Meanwhile, the second prototype will have the driver’s cab removed and replaced by an aerodynamic fairing. This prototype will be put through its paces on test tracks driven with the CAVStar system and have a remote human driver.
Read: HVS Gets UK Government Funding For Hydrogen Truck With Autonomous Tech
The aim of the project is to develop the next generation of transportation and logistics and aims to show the potential of autonomy in the transportation sector.
“A transport revolution is taking place in the UK and HVS, together with the consortium, is at the forefront of the innovation,” HVS chief executive Jawad Khursheed said in a statement. “We are engineering the world’s first autonomous hydrogen-electric powered HGV to demonstrate hub-to-hub logistics to a leading retailer, ASDA, to elevate public perception, showcasing the potential autonomy can deliver thanks to increased safety and fuel savings, and develop new business models.”
Fusion Processing’s Automated Drive System has radars, LiDARs, cameras, and artificial intelligence. It could address key shortcomings in the haulage industry, including driver shortages and help to improve the quality of life of drivers with the introduction of remote teleoperated vehicles.
“Our market analysis indicates that the commercial vehicle segments such as haulage are where we will see autonomous vehicle technology first used in large scale deployments,” Fusion Processing chief executive Jim Hutchinson added. “Hub2Hub is a perfect showcase of what the advanced version of our CAVstar Automated Drive System can achieve. Combining SAE Level 4 autonomous driving with tele-operation to deliver safer and more efficient vehicle operations.”
