According to the company, these shorter routes account for 87% of US truck tonnage, representing a significant opportunity for autonomous and electric freight technology.
Those relatively predictable movements could make it easier to plan vehicle operations, establish charging schedules and evaluate autonomous technology under specific operating conditions.
Building the truck and technology together Rather than installing autonomous driving systems on conventional diesel trucks, Humble is developing its vehicles and autonomous technology as an integrated system.
Its fully electric Humble Hauler is a purpose-built Class 8 vehicle designed to transport freight without a conventional driver’s cab.
Questions remain about how autonomous electric vehicles will perform under everyday freight conditions, particularly in complex logistics environments where vehicles must interact with workers, equipment and conventional trucks.