PlusAI, based in Santa Clara, California, has developed an AI-powered solution for autonomous lorry driving called SuperDrive. The company is currently preparing to go public through a planned merger with the special purpose acquisition company Churchill Capital Corp IX. In addition to its headquarters, PlusAI operates sites in Silicon Valley and Munich. The Bavarian state capital was likely chosen as the first international location because the company is developing an autonomous driving solution for the VW subsidiary Traton (which includes MAN and Scania), whose headquarters are located there.
That sets the context, now for the collaboration between PlusAI and Iveco. Both companies plan to test Level 4 autonomous heavy-duty vehicles in the Spanish region of Aragon, in the northeast of the country, over several years. The vehicles will be controlled by PlusAI’s SuperDrive solution. Despite being classified as Level 4—meaning a safety driver is technically unnecessary—one will still be present on all routes for added security.
The test phase is set to begin later this year. It will involve Iveco S-Way tractor units operating on the approximately 300-kilometre freight routes of logistics provider Sesé, connecting Madrid and Zaragoza, the capital of the Aragon region.
Technology for sustainable transport
Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer of the Iveco Group, states: “Vehicle automation is a key pillar of Iveco Group’s technology strategy. We are thrilled to reinforce our strong partnership with PlusAI to further innovate our ADAS and ADS technologies on board IVECO trucks. This project will take us forward on our journey to offer customers the highest quality technology for increasingly sustainable transport.”
“Autonomous trucks are a transformative technology that could dramatically improve road safety and reshape commercial freight transportation around the world. We are proud to extend our partnership with IVECO to cover Level 4 autonomous trucking operations in Germany and Spain,” added Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-Founder of PlusAI.
Joint work on Level 2+
According to company statements, the Iveco Group has been researching and developing solutions for autonomous and connected driving for years. Alongside its work on Level 4 vehicles, the company is collaborating with PlusAI to develop cutting-edge Level 2+ assistance systems.
Many other players are also developing autonomous solutions for lorries. Aurora is particularly advanced, already operating a commercial transport service between Dallas and Houston and collaborating with the German supplier Continental. The Swedish company Einride has developed a brand-new autonomous electric lorry from the ground up. Meanwhile, Daimler Truck’s subsidiary Torc Robotics successfully tested a driverless battery-electric truck in the USA in 2024, specifically the Freightliner eCascadia model.
ivecogroup.com
