Autonomous trucks receiving an upgrade through a partnership between PlusAI and Goodyear, focusing on the integration of intelligent tire technology.
PlusAI, a leading autonomous driving technology company, has announced a collaboration with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to integrate Goodyear's SightLine tire intelligence into their autonomous trucking operations. This partnership is part of PlusAI's strategy for the commercial launch of factory-built autonomous trucks, targeted for 2027, beginning in the United States and then expanding into Europe.
The integration of SightLine into trucks equipped with PlusAI's SuperDrive virtual driver significantly enhances autonomous truck performance and safety. SightLine uses sensors to deliver real-time information on tire health, road surface conditions, and friction levels. This continuous monitoring of the tire-road interface allows the SuperDrive system to optimize vehicle control, improve reliability, and reduce operating costs by adapting to varying driving environments more effectively.
Specifically, this collaboration enables:
- Enhanced vehicle performance through better data capture relating to tire conditions and road friction, allowing SuperDrive to make more informed driving decisions.
- Improved safety by anticipating and responding to changing road conditions, including those affecting tire grip and wear.
- Increased operational efficiency by reducing maintenance needs and downtime via proactive tire health monitoring.
- Greater reliability across diverse driving environments, supporting the commercial readiness of factory-built autonomous trucks planned for launch around 2027.
Goodyear's SightLine technology works by continuous monitoring via a tire-road interface. This technology will be embedded into factory-built autonomous trucks outfitted with SuperDrive. The collaboration's goal is to use Goodyear's tire data to optimize vehicle performance and improve reliability in various driving environments.
PlusAI's COO and co-founder, Shawn Kerrigan, stated that the collaboration will provide additional vehicle data to enhance the SuperDrive system. The SuperDrive system will be further enhanced using real-world conditions data from the collaboration.
This partnership is not the only collaboration for PlusAI. The company has deployed autonomous driving technology across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and its autonomy partners include Traton Group, Hyundai, and Iveco, who will factory-build, validate, deliver, and provide support for the SuperDrive-powered autonomous vehicles.
Over the past nine years, PlusAI has spent developing its virtual driver software, logging more than 5 million miles of driving. The company's strategy for autonomous trucking includes innovative technology, deep collaborations, and rigorous validation. This collaboration with Goodyear is a significant step towards achieving their goal of revolutionizing the autonomous freight sector by boosting both safety and efficiency.
[1] PlusAI Press Release, Collaboration with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to Integrate Tire Intelligence into Autonomous Trucking
[2] The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Goodyear's SightLine Technology
[3] The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Goodyear and PlusAI Collaborate to Enhance Autonomous Driving Technology
[4] PlusAI, SuperDrive
[5] The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Goodyear and Traton Group Collaborate to Develop Autonomous Trucking Technologies
- This collaboration between PlusAI and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company seeks to integrate Goodyear's SightLine technology into autonomous trucks, aiming to improve the transportation industry by boosting safety, efficiency, and reliability.
- The finance sector may play a crucial role in funding the commercial launch of factory-built autonomous trucks by PlusAI in 2027, which will initially operate in the United States and then expand into Europe, potentially revolutionizing the automotive industry.
- The public-transit sector might also be impacted by the advancement in autonomous driving technology, as it could potentially lead to the development of safer and more cost-effective public transit systems, further influenced by technology innovations in tire intelligence and vehicle control.
