If you follow self-driving cars, you know this week’s scoreboard. Waymo flipped Las Vegas to fully driverless and named Denver, San Diego and Tampa as the next three, running about 3,500 robotaxis and more than 20 million trips to date, according to Electrek. Tesla’s rival service, launched in Austin in June 2025, is still down to roughly 20 driverless cars covering about 245 square miles, per third-party tracking. Waymo has been at this since 2009, and the argument is still about four-way stops. Meanwhile, there are more driverless haul trucks moving rock around the planet right now than there are Waymos on American streets. They weigh 320 tons each and nobody argues about them. On April 21, Komatsu announced it had commissioned its 1,000th autonomous ultra-class haul truck, the first manufacturer to reach that number. The truck that got it there is a 930E-5AT, an electric-drive machine rated at 320 US tons, or 290 metric tons, in one load. It went to work at Barrick’s Nevada Gold Mines, the surface operation Barrick runs as a joint venture with Newmont. A mine is an easier problem than a city, and that is the whole point A robotaxi has to deal with jaywalkers, a van double parked in the bike lane, cones that moved overnight, and a cyclist treating a red light as a suggestion. A haul truck deals with none of it. The road is private, the route is a fixed loop from shovel to crusher, and every other vehicle on that road belongs to the mine and answers to the same dispatch system. The truck is a 2,700-horsepower diesel-electric machine, and the hardest thing it meets on a shift is a pickup driven by someone who was trained on a simulator before being allowed near it. The connectivity matters more
Jul 12, 2026 · via autonocion.com
The programme covers 10 Daimler Truck Zetros trucks fitted with the Quantum Systems MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit and 10 MANDRILL unmanned ground vehicles. The systems will be deployed with the National Guard of Ukraine under real-world conditions, with feedback used to support further development. Daimler Truck is an official partner in the programme and is working with Quantum Systems to integrate vehicle hardware and autonomous software into the Zetros platform. The companies said the work is intended to validate the operational and defence readiness of the autonomous trucks in Ukraine. The MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit is designed to enable unmanned and teleoperated operations across logistics vehicles through a modular, software-defined architecture. Built on the open MOSAIC UXS ecosystem, it supports autonomous delivery, convoy operations and multi-domain missions by linking ground vehicles with other unmanned systems in a single interoperable network. “We are looking forward to validating Unmanned Zetros trucks and MANDRILL UGVs under frontline conditions in Ukraine.” said Hendrik Kramer, Vice President Ground Domain at Quantum Systems. “Quantum Systems has a proven track record of integrating frontline feedback into its systems. With this contract, we can now test and validate two of our newest products, mere months after their launch under real-world conditions in Ukraine, which has a significant demand for modernizing military logistics.” Daniel Zittel, Chief Sales Officer, Daimler Truck Defence, said: “Ukraine has a significant demand for military logistics solutions and operates a wide variety of military systems, including a large fleet of our trucks and related services. Together with Quantum Systems, we are developing new capabilities for military logistics in Ukraine. As a next step, we are now validating the operational and defence readiness of our trucks equipped with the Quantum Systems MOSAIC Autonomy Kit under real-world conditions.” Quantum Systems said the programme builds on its growing
Jul 12, 2026 · via defence-industry.eu
New footage released by Ukraine's Security Service has revealed the destruction of an exceptionally rare Soviet-era radar system, highlighting what analysts say may be a growing reliance by russia on obsolete air surveillance equipment after sustained Ukrainian strikes against its modern radar network. The video showcases the combat results of the Alpha special operations unit, which reported eliminating more than 5,500 russian troops during June. Among the targets struck by Ukrainian drones was an unusually large radar installation that initially puzzled military observers due to its enormous size and uncommon appearance. Read more: Ukraine Strikes 21 russian Oil Tankers and 7 Vessels in Massive Sea of Azov Operation (Video) The system was later identified as the 5N84A Oborona-14, the last mobile variant of the Soviet P-14 family of early-warning radars developed in the late 1950s and introduced in its upgraded form during the 1970s. With an antenna measuring approximately 32 meters wide and 11 meters high, and an overall structure reaching around 25 meters in height, it is one of the largest radar systems ever fielded by the Soviet military. Operating in the VHF band, the Oborona-14 was designed for long-range surveillance, capable of detecting aerial targets at distances of up to 600 kilometers. However, the radar suffers from significant limitations by modern standards. Its detection accuracy is relatively poor, it provides only range and azimuth without altitude information, and its low resolution makes it difficult to distinguish multiple aircraft flying close together. Russia officially retired the last P-14 family radars from active service in 2003, making the appearance of Oborona-14 system on the battlefield particularly noteworthy. This is the second confirmed Ukrainian strike against the system in 2026. The first was reported in March, when Ukraine's Special Operations Forces destroyed another Oborona-14 system deployed in Crimea. The reappearance of
Jul 11, 2026 · via en.defence-ua.com
Every driverless operator permitted to run vehicles in California woke up on July 1 bound by a compliance framework with no American precedent — hard deadlines, mandatory fleet command architecture, and the most rigorous safety documentation requirement in the nation. As of that date, law enforcement can issue formal citations to companies, not drivers, when a driverless vehicle breaks the law. Local emergency officials can digitally order an entire AV fleet out of a neighborhood, and the fleet must comply within two minutes. Autonomous trucks face a two-phase, one-million-mile validation path before they can haul a commercial load. A detailed analysis published July 8 by Guident executive chairman and CEO Harald Braun — whose company builds the remote monitoring infrastructure these rules now mandate — laid out the ten most operationally significant obligations now binding California's AV industry. Braun's analysis, published by The Robot Report, offers the clearest operator-facing accounting to date of what the California Department of Motor Vehicles finalized on April 28, 2026 and put into force this month. "What happened in California at the moment is very important, is a game changer, because it opens the pathway to not only testing in a geo-fenced area, but also allowing it to happen right on a public road," Braun said. "And that, of course, has implications for the developers." Noncompliance Notices Replace the Accountability Gap For years, California law enforcement lacked a consistent mechanism to hold the responsible party accountable when a driverless vehicle violated traffic law. If a robotaxi ran a red light or blocked an emergency vehicle, the ticket had no obvious recipient — there was no driver behind the wheel. Documented incidents in which driverless vehicles committed moving violations without a clear accountability path contributed directly to the pressure for reform. That gap is now closed.
Jul 11, 2026 · via techtimes.com
Waabi and Volvo Autonomous Solutions integrated the Waabi Driver onto the Volvo VNL Autonomous. This marks a new vehicle platform for Waabi’s autonomous driving system. Waabi said the system operated across highways and complex surface streets without requiring new real-world data, simulation data, or fine-tuning. The company described the result as zero-shot generalization. That means the Waabi Driver was transferred to a new vehicle form factor without additional training examples. Waabi said this shows how the same virtual driver could support deployment across different environments and platforms. Generalization Shapes Autonomous Trucking Scale Waabi said autonomous driving systems need to generalize in two ways to support broader deployment. The first is generalization across environments and behaviors, including highways, dense surface streets, traffic patterns, road geometry, and driving behavior. The Waabi Driver reached that stage in Q1 2025 when it expanded beyond highway operation to more complex surface streets. The second is generalization across vehicle platforms. Waabi said that has historically required extensive engineering, data collection, retraining, and validation when moving an autonomous system to a new platform with different sensors, controls, and physical characteristics. Waabi said its work with Volvo Autonomous Solutions was designed to test that second challenge by integrating the Waabi Driver onto the Volvo VNL Autonomous. Volvo Cites Platform Flexibility Volvo Autonomous Solutions said the public-road testing also demonstrates the scalability of its autonomous truck platform. “Road testing the Volvo VNL Autonomous, integrated with the Waabi Driver, on public roads is an important proof point of our partnership with Waabi,” said Nils Jaeger, president of Volvo Autonomous Solutions. “It also demonstrates the scalability of Volvo’s autonomous truck platform, which is designed to integrate different vehicle models and virtual drivers to enable a wide range of use cases and applications.” Waabi added that the capability could help autonomous trucking
Jul 11, 2026 · via fleetequipmentmag.com
The information displayed in the AIM should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its member countries. German defense firm Quantum Systems signed a multimillion-euro contract to supply Ukraine with 10 AI-powered autonomous trucks and 10 robotic platforms. These systems, equipped with advanced autonomy kits, will be tested by the National Guard in real combat conditions, raising potential risks associated with military AI deployment.[AI generated] Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard? The event involves AI systems (autonomous unmanned trucks and robotic logistics platforms) being introduced and tested in real combat conditions, which implies AI system use and development. While these systems could plausibly lead to harm (e.g., accidents, operational failures, or misuse in warfare), the article does not report any realized harm or incidents resulting from their deployment. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Hazard due to the plausible future risk but not an AI Incident. It is not Complementary Information because it is not an update or response to a prior incident, nor is it Beneficial Use since the AI systems themselves are the subject and potential source of harm, not solely countermeasures to external harm. It is not Unrelated as the AI involvement is clear and central.[AI generated]
Jul 11, 2026 · via oecd.ai
ROCKVILLE, MD, July 11, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The global Autonomous Vehicle Teleoperation Services Market is poised for exceptional expansion, with market value projected to rise from USD 0.55 billion in 2026 to USD 18.80 billion by 2036, registering a remarkable 42.4% CAGR during the forecast period. According to the latest Fact.MR analysis, the market had already reached USD 0.39 billion in 2025 and is entering a rapid commercialization phase as remote assistance becomes an essential operational layer for autonomous vehicle fleets. The increasing deployment of robotaxis, autonomous trucks, delivery vehicles, and logistics automation is reshaping the mobility ecosystem. Teleoperation services enable trained remote operators to assist autonomous vehicles in handling unexpected situations such as blocked roads, emergency responders, construction zones, and complex curbside interactions. As regulators demand stronger human oversight and fleet operators seek higher operational reliability, teleoperation is emerging as a critical service supporting large-scale autonomous transportation. Key Market Highlights •Market Value (2025): USD 0.39 Billion •Estimated Market Size (2026): USD 0.55 Billion •Forecast Market Size (2036): USD 18.80 Billion •CAGR (2026–2036): 42.4% •Absolute Opportunity: USD 18.25 Billion •Leading Connectivity: Cellular Networks (52.0%) •Leading Delivery Model: Managed Service (44.0%) •Leading Operating Domain: Urban Roads (43.0%) •Leading Vehicle Type: Robotaxis (41.0%) •Leading End Use: Robotaxi Support (39.0%) •Leading Service Type: Remote Assistance (38.0%) •Leading Customer Type: Fleet Operators (36.0%) •Fastest-Growing Country: Germany (49.5% CAGR) Access a sample report featuring detailed forecasts, pricing trends, and strategic recommendation: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=15279 Why Is the Autonomous Vehicle Teleoperation Services Market Growing? The rapid commercialization of autonomous mobility is creating unprecedented demand for teleoperation services. While autonomous vehicles continue to improve through artificial intelligence and advanced perception systems, real-world road environments remain unpredictable. Remote operators provide essential human judgment whenever autonomous systems encounter situations beyond their operational design domain. Robotaxi operators increasingly rely on remote assistance
Jul 11, 2026 · via 24-7pressrelease.com
There have been plenty of warnings about the dangers of AI for aid agencies, who face growing challenges of securing often extremely sensitive data and swelling misinformation about their operations and beneficiaries. But at the AI for Good summit in Geneva this week, a handful of humanitarian-focused displays emphasised the technology's positive potential. Parked in one corner of a vast hall at the Palexpo conference centre was a giant white SHERP vehicle, resembling a hulking Martian rover, decked out with cameras and sensors and a drone landing-pad on the roof. Made in Ukraine, SHERPs are amphibious vehicles that can float on water, drive through swamps and flooded rivers with their giant wheels, and climb over obstacles up to one metre (3.3 feet) high. The UN's World Food Programme is preparing to begin field-testing a version of the AI-enabled truck that can be steered remotely through the most dangerous and difficult terrain to reach people in need. "I think this could be a game-changer," Bernhard Kowatsch, head of WFP's global accelerator and ventures innovation division, told AFP. The technology, he said, "should allow us essentially to reach people that otherwise never would have been reachable". Not possible without AI WFP already has drivers using SHERPs to deliver aid in Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda. But after numerous heartbreaking losses of drivers, it tasked the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to help equip the vehicles with AI and other technologies, making it possible to control them remotely through particularly dangerous terrain. The idea is to set up a shipping container control room in a safe area, where a human can remotely control the vehicle on the last, most treacherous leg of its journey. Tests have been conducted in Germany, and will be tried out in the field in Uganda in 2028, said Armin
Jul 11, 2026 · via news.tuoitre.vn
The National Guard will test 10 unmanned Zetros trucks and 10 MANDRILL robots under a multimillion-dollar contract
Partners — Quantum Systems and Daimler Truck Defence; the results will go toward improving autonomous logistics
In Kyiv, a multimillion contract has been signed under which units of the National Guard of Ukraine will begin testing unmanned Zetros cargo trucks and MANDRILL ground robotic complexes; the project will be implemented by Quantum Systems together with partner Daimler Truck Defence.
According to Defense Express, the German company Quantum Systems is expanding cooperation with Ukraine: autonomous trucks and ground robotic systems for logistics support are being added to its line of reconnaissance drones.
The agreement provides for the transfer to Ukraine of 10 MANDRILL complexes and 10 unmanned Zetros trucks equipped with autonomous control systems integrated together with Daimler Truck Defence.
The National Guard units will conduct trials of the new platforms in real conditions, and the experience gained during the tests will be used to further improve unmanned logistics.
Jul 10, 2026 · via korabelov.info
NHTSA scolds autonomous developers The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has certainly seemed friendly to the deployment of autonomous driving technology on American roadways. NHTSA previously proposed a now-withdrawn voluntary framework and more recently issued a proposal to end the federal requirement for manual brake pads in self-driving vehicles. OOIDA and the Truck Safety Coalition have been among the groups voicing concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles. Those concerns extend beyond the trucking industry and NHTSA itself recently issued a call to action in a letter sent to U.S. autonomous developers. The letter reiterated the agency’s desire to adopt American innovation, but it is not willing to do so at the cost of safety. “Over the past several months, NHTSA has identified a clear pattern of driverless AVs interfering with law enforcement and other first responders,” the agency wrote in the July 8 letter. “The agency has documented multiple instances in which AVs drove directly into active emergency scenes, blocked the paths of ambulances and firefighters or failed to recognize and respond to basic safety conditions like flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire and traffic cones.” An AV that cannot safely interact with first responders is a danger to the general public, NHTSA added in the letter signed by Administrator Jonathan Morrison. 🚗 AUTONOMOUS CARS are INCREDIBLE but @NHTSAgov is making it clear: SAFETY FIRST 📺 ⬇️ @SquawkCNBC pic.twitter.com/SjDDYZz0ho — U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) July 9, 2026 Impeding first responders is not just a minor software anomaly, NHTSA said in the letter. “Every second matters when law enforcement officers, firefighters or paramedics are answering a call,” NHTSA said. “The inability to detect and appropriately respond to such situations represents a functional insufficiency. We expect you to prioritize first responder interactions and will schedule meetings with driverless automated driving system
Jul 10, 2026 · via landline.media
AVI-SPL, a global technology solutions provider, and Volvo Autonomous Solutions have started commercial autonomous freight operations between Dallas and Houston using the Volvo VNL Autonomous powered by the Aurora Driver. The operations will support AVI-SPL’s transport of various audio-visual electronics, including a mix of new products and end-of-life equipment from which AVI-SPL reclaims precious metals as a part of its Electronic Recycling Program. The collaboration reflects AVI-SPL’s continued investment in operational innovation and supply chain strategies designed to improve scalability, reliability, and long-term efficiency. “AVI-SPL is a leader in its industry, moving high-value goods where speed and responsiveness are essential,” said Sasko Cuklev, head of on-road solutions at VAS. “This collaboration shows how autonomous transport can help reduce transit times, improve service, and meet the demands of time-sensitive, high-value freight.” As freight demand continues to increase across the United States, the transportation industry faces growing challenges related to a shortage of qualified drivers and delivery capacity constraints. Autonomous transport technologies are emerging as a strategic solution to help organizations strengthen logistics operations while supporting safer and more sustainable freight movement. “Autonomous transportation has the potential to significantly reshape the future of logistics,” said Tim Riek, chief strategy officer (CSO) at AVI-SPL. “This collaboration allows AVI-SPL to explore innovative technologies that can help improve operational resilience, support long-term scalability, and strengthen the overall customer experience.” The collaboration marks an important step in demonstrating how autonomous trucking can be applied in real-world logistics operations where speed, consistency, and reliability are critical. As demand for freight capacity continues to grow, autonomous transport has the potential to strengthen supply chains through greater uptime, improved asset utilization, and enhanced cargo security.
Jul 10, 2026 · via roboticsandautomationnews.com
Driverless Trucks Used for First Time in Belarus For the first time in Belarus, autonomous electric cargo vehicles with artificial intelligence elements have started to be used for transporting goods. The new system began operating at the "Priilesse" distribution center near Minsk, which serves the "Dabranom" retail chain, including "Kapeechka", "Mayak" stores, and "Dabranom" supermarkets, writes the publication "Nash portal". 11 autonomous electric trucks are already operating on the territory of the logistics complex. They transport real goods between warehouses and storage areas without driver involvement. The vehicles operate in several shifts, seven days a week. Instead of a human, control is carried out by an artificial intelligence system that uses cameras, radars, and lidars to analyze the surrounding space. The vehicles are capable of recognizing people, equipment, and other obstacles, predicting their movement, choosing the safest route, and adapting to various conditions, such as changes in lighting or road surface conditions. According to the system developer, "EvaKargo" company, the software was created based on the experience of dozens of similar projects. The company claims that no accidents or other serious incidents have been recorded throughout the operation of these autonomous vehicles. Currently, the autonomous trucks operate only within the logistics center. They transport a wide range of products — from dairy products and beverages to household chemicals and seasonal goods. Dabranom notes that the use of the new technology has already reduced operating costs by approximately 35 percent. This was made possible due to more precise route planning, reduced fuel costs thanks to electric drive, and the fact that the vehicles can operate without breaks and are not dependent on the human factor. At the same time, the company emphasizes that automation does not mean staff reduction. Their work is changing: now one operator can remotely control 10-12 autonomous
Jul 10, 2026 · via nashaniva.com
For the first time in Belarus, autonomous electric cargo vehicles with artificial intelligence elements have started to be used for transporting goods. The new system began operating at the "Priilesse" distribution center near Minsk, which serves the "Dabranom" retail chain, including "Kapeechka", "Mayak" stores, and "Dabranom" supermarkets, writes the publication "Nash portal". 11 autonomous electric trucks are already operating on the territory of the logistics complex. They transport real goods between warehouses and storage areas without driver involvement. The vehicles operate in several shifts, seven days a week. Instead of a human, control is carried out by an artificial intelligence system that uses cameras, radars, and lidars to analyze the surrounding space. The vehicles are capable of recognizing people, equipment, and other obstacles, predicting their movement, choosing the safest route, and adapting to various conditions, such as changes in lighting or road surface conditions. According to the system developer, "EvaKargo" company, the software was created based on the experience of dozens of similar projects. The company claims that no accidents or other serious incidents have been recorded throughout the operation of these autonomous vehicles. Currently, the autonomous trucks operate only within the logistics center. They transport a wide range of products — from dairy products and beverages to household chemicals and seasonal goods. Dabranom notes that the use of the new technology has already reduced operating costs by approximately 35 percent. This was made possible due to more precise route planning, reduced fuel costs thanks to electric drive, and the fact that the vehicles can operate without breaks and are not dependent on the human factor. At the same time, the company emphasizes that automation does not mean staff reduction. Their work is changing: now one operator can remotely control 10-12 autonomous vehicles simultaneously, monitor battery charge levels, the technical
Jul 10, 2026 · via nashaniva.com
Germany's Quantum Systems to test autonomous trucks and ground systems in Ukraine The company announced the deal in a press release, according to Ukrinform. "Following the signing of a multi-million-euro contract in Kyiv, Quantum Systems will deliver autonomous ground systems as part of a Ukrainian research and development program. The program includes 10 autonomous Zetros AI trucks equipped with the Quantum Systems Ground Autonomy Kit and 10 MANDRILL unmanned ground vehicles," the statement said. According to the company, the vehicles will be deployed with the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU) under real-world conditions, generating feedback to support the continuous development of the system. The contract includes ten Daimler Truck Zetros trucks equipped with the Quantum Systems MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit and ten MANDRILL unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Daimler Truck is an official partner in the program, working with Quantum Systems in a development partnership focused on integrating vehicle hardware and autonomous software into the Zetros platform. Quantum Systems said the MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit enables unmanned and teleoperated operations across logistics vehicles through a modular, software-defined architecture. Built on the open MOSAIC UXS ecosystem, it supports autonomous delivery, convoy operations and multi-domain missions by connecting ground vehicles with other unmanned systems into a single interoperable operational network. "We are looking forward to validating Unmanned Zetros trucks and MANDRILL UGVs under frontline conditions in Ukraine," said Hendrik Kramer, Vice President Ground Domain at Quantum Systems. According to Kramer, the company has a proven track record of integrating frontline feedback into its systems.. He said the contract would allow Quantum Systems to test and validate two new products in real operational conditions in Ukraine just months after their launch. The MANDRILL is a modular, high-mobility unmanned ground vehicle engineered for demanding defense and disaster response missions. With a payload capacity of up
Jul 10, 2026 · via ukrinform.net
Chinese Driverless Mining Truck Specialist Surges on Hong Kong Debut
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Chinese driverless mining truck developer Eacon Group Co. Ltd. made a strong debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with its shares jumping nearly 10% on the first day of trading, reflecting strong investor interest in a technology that some see as revolutionizing the industry.
Eacon’s stock closed up about 10% at HK$96.7 ($12.3) on Wednesday, giving the company a market capitalization of HK$14.3 billion. The offering attracted cornerstone investors including Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., XCMG Construction Machinery Co. Ltd., Fidelity International and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
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Jul 10, 2026 · via caixinglobal.com
Belgium has officially announced its decision to purchase 10 NASAMS air defense systems along with 14 GM200 radars and 20 Skyranger 30 anti-aircraft gun systems for drone protection. Including Iveco trucks, the procurement will cost over €3 billion. The decision was announced at the NATO summit in Turkiye by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken. The programme will be implemented in cooperation with the Netherlands to protect Benelux airspace, with the involvement of local industry. Read more: 400 Tomahawks, Three Typhon Launchers, Push for Local Production: What Germany's Cruise Missile Deal Could Look Like A day before the official announcement, De Morgenreported, citing its own sources, that the 10 NASAMS batteries would cost Belgium €1.2 billion, with the first delivery expected as early as 2027. Total funding allocated for Belgium's ground-based air defense reconstruction stands at €4 billion, while earlier reports had put the combined cost of NASAMS and Skyranger 30 at €3.1 billion. The Belgian government spent several weeks debating the use of American-origin missiles in NASAMS, but ultimately decided that the search for European alternatives would be a matter for the future. For similar reasons, the question of long-range air defense — where the choice is between Patriot and SAMP/T NG — also remains open. Defense Express notes that Belgium's decisions on air defense systems are heavily influenced by a desire to standardise with the Netherlands, which has also selected NASAMS and Skyranger. It is therefore quite likely that Belgium will follow the same logic and choose Patriot, which is already in service with the Dutch military. This contract also gives us an opportunity to gauge the approximate cost of NASAMS today. A rough calculation puts one battery at around €120 million — though without information on the exact configuration or ammunition inclusion, no firm conclusions should be drawn
Jul 10, 2026 · via en.defence-ua.com
When AVI-SPL launched autonomous freight operations between Dallas and Houston, the technology solutions provider made a deliberate choice: announce what they had already accomplished, not what they hoped to do. “We think that a lot of people are, especially with AI, saying, ‘This is what we’re going to do [and] we hope to do this,’” said Jeremy Codiroli, vice president of global supply chain at AVI-SPL, in an interview with FreightWaves. “And we wanted to really make a point of saying, ‘We did this. We are doing this. This is not a dream, this is real life.” AVI-SPL’s commercial autonomous freight operations began the week of June 8, 2026. For Codiroli, the launch represents a forward-thinking approach to risk management in an industry facing mounting pressure. “This is really a future-focused, risk management solution,” Codiroli said. “My supply chain team, we look out three to five years and say, what problems are we going to be trying to solve in three to five years, and can we try to solve them now?” Chief among those problems: driver headcount and difficulties with hiring and retention. That’s where Volvo’s self-driving VNL Autonomous semi truck and a novel transportation management system from Aurora Innovation enter the picture. Partnering up AVI-SPL partnered with Volvo Autonomous Solutions, leveraging its self-driving rig with the Aurora Driver TMS platform to automate a 239 mile route between Dallas and Houston – no driver required. The Volvo VNL Autonomous serves as the hardware backbone of the operation. Assembled at Volvo’s flagship New River Valley plant in Dublin, Virginia –the largest Volvo Trucks facility in the world– the vehicle was engineered with safety as the foundational design principle. According to Volvo Autonomous Solutions’ website, the truck features redundant systems across steering, braking, communication, computation, power management, energy storage and vehicle
Jul 10, 2026 · via freightwaves.com
The Ukrainian National Guard will test unmanned logistics capabilities provided by the German company Quantum Systems, which has previously supplied UAVs to the Defense Forces of Ukraine. The focus is now on the autonomous Zetros truck, equipped with the MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit, and the MANDRILL UGV. A multi-million-dollar contract to supply equipment under Ukraine's research and development program was signed in Kyiv. The vehicles will be deployed in field conditions to gather user feedback, which will be used to further refine the systems. Read more: From Almost No Ground-Based Air Defense to NASAMS, Skyranger: Belgium's €4bn Rebuild Explained Under the agreement, the National Guard of Ukraine is set to receive 10 MANDRILL UGVs as well as 10 autonomous Zetros trucks. The manufacturer of the latter, Daimler Truck Defense, is also an official partner in the project. From Defense Express we would like to note that this reflects a clear trend toward developing unmanned logistics systems for the Defense Forces of Ukraine. The MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit also enables vehicles to be converted into unmanned platforms. However, everything is integrated into the MOSAIC UXS software suite, which enables users to plan and define missions while controlling multiple drones simultaneously from a single system. As a result, it is possible to organize an entire logistics system that receives orders from a control center. The system also allows for controlling a single vehicle via a smartphone or operating in a convoy led by a “lead” manned vehicle. Currently, the system is being developed based on Daimler Trucks products, but it can also be integrated into other platforms. The choice of the Zetros for Ukraine makes perfect sense, as hundreds of them are being supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As for the MANDRILL, it is a modular unmanned ground vehicle capable
Jul 10, 2026 · via en.defence-ua.com
Ram’s upcoming V8-powered “muscle trucks” are going to be fast, but they could get even faster with one simple trick. Ram’s parent company Stellantis has applied for a patent on an “Aerodynamic Movable Tonneau Cover” that could help performance trucks slice through the air for speed and all models improve their highway efficiency. The transformable cover can either lie flat on top of the bed, or lifted to an angle that brings its leading edge to the top of the cab’s roof. “While some of these designs have increased the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle, opportunity exists for a greater reduction in vehicle drag,” the patent explains. “A need in the art exists for a tonneau cover operable in a standard horizontal position as well as at an aerodynamically angled position.” The the patent describes several ways to construct it with sections that cover the gaps left in the sides with stacked panels, a flexible fabric pleated like an accordion and various other methods. When deployed, a truck with the cover would look a lot like a Tesla Cybertruck, which has fixed sloping bedsides and a retractable tonneau cover. This isn’t actually the first time Stellantis has filed for a patent on a similar idea. Last year, it submitted one on an “Angled Bed Cap For Truck” that featured rigid side panels that stored alongside the bed when the cover is sitting flat. Ford has also been investigating the concept of a transformable truck with a patent for a “Vehicle Aerodynamic Altering System And Method” that has triangular bed sides that collapse and nest near the back of the truck’s cab to create lower bed top to reach over. None of these patents have been officially confirmed for production, however, and may never be used on a consumer product, but
Jul 9, 2026 · via americancarsandracing.com
Middle East risks and US demand reshaping freight markets - Posted by Amanda Bradfield - | - 9 July, 2026 BETWEEN Neil the Seal causing a little chaos around Tasmania and another week flying by, it's hard to believe we're already at Friday. After weeks of flattening bollards, crushing fences and attracting crowds wherever he went, it seems Neil has finally headed off on his next adventure. He certainly kept plenty of people entertained. While Neil's antics were relatively harmless, the shipping industry has been navigating a far more serious kind of disruption. Tensions in the Middle East escalated again this week, with the United States launching a second day of strikes on Iranian military targets following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran warned that access through the strategic waterway will remain subject to "Iranian arrangements", while the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) urged operators to avoid transiting the Strait if crew safety cannot be assured. Meanwhile, U.S. container imports are on track to break the record set during the pandemic import surge, as retailers continue bringing freight forward ahead of potential new tariffs expected in August. Freight rates continued to climb this week, with the Drewry World Container Index and Shanghai-Los Angeles spot rates both rising 2%. Tight capacity and limited blank sailings are expected to keep rates elevated. Closer to home, in contrast, intra-Asia freight rates fell for a third straight week as peak season demand continued to ease. While reports suggest congestion across parts of Southeast Asia is improving, it certainly doesn't feel that way on the ground, with massive weather disruptions, vessel delays and an ever changing list of surcharges continuing to create headaches for importers. It does make me wonder if that bubble is going to burst soon... What else is happening
Jul 9, 2026 · via thedcn.com.au