Both parties claim the partnership will offer “innovative solutions that address the ongoing driver shortage while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving vehicle and environmental safety.”
The trucks used by Hegelmann through the partnership will be equipped with TuSimple’s autonomous driving system, which is on the global vehicle platform developed by Navistar.
TuSimple adds that Hegelmann’s reservation for factory-production units with its technology is a “primary step” in developing “a new state-of-the-art logistics network in North America called the TuSimple Autonomous Freight Network.”
According to the autonomous driving tech specialists, preliminary studies suggest that this type of network has the potential to reduce fuel consumption for medium-mile transport in autonomous trucks.
Commenting on the partnership, Andrew Jasinskas, Business Development Project Manager at Hegelmann USA, said:
“TuSimple’s innovations will enhance our ability to compete and prosper in the North American market and are in line with our stated objective of global logistics technology adoption. Undoubtedly, autonomous trucks with TuSimple technology are the future of transportation, and Hegelmann’s strategy is also to be a standard bearer for innovations that advance safety and efficiency into the next era of logistics excellence.”
Lee White, TuSimple’s vice president of strategy, added:
“We are pleased to add Hegelmann to our rapidly growing fleet partners who are looking to adopt, integrate and scale SAE L4 truck operations in the United States. Hegelmann selected TuSimple as its autonomous vehicle technology partner because of TuSimple’s leadership in the rapid full-commercialization of autonomous vehicles.”
TuSimple says it plans to operate paid freight in high-density freight lanes in the southern US by the end of next year.
The press release concerning the deal does not contain direct quotes from Hegelmann. However, the logistics company did share the release on its LinkedIn page, stating that the deal means “autonomous trucking is close to becoming a reality”.