Kenworth debuted a T680 Next Generation equipped with the Aurora Driver, representing its future of autonomous trucking, at the recent ATA Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.
The prototype Kenworth T680 Next Gen provides an autonomy-enabled truck platform integrated with the Aurora Driver, a driverless Level 4 autonomy system. The platform features new control interfaces and redundant braking, steering, and power systems to achieve the requirements needed for reliable and safe self-driving operations, according to a Kenworth press release.
The Aurora Driver consists of sensors that perceive the world, software that plans a safe path through it, and a computer that powers and integrates the sensors and software with the truck to allow the Aurora Driver to drive autonomously, safely, on the road.
The sensors on the T680 Next Gen include Aurora’s FirstLight Lidar, imaging radar, and high-resolution cameras. These sensors work together to build a 3D representation of the world, giving the Aurora Driver a nearly 360-degree view of its surroundings in real time.
See also: Embark prepares coast-to-coast autonomous trucking network
“Kenworth and Aurora are working closely together to develop next-generation autonomous trucks designed to safely and efficiently transport goods. The Kenworth T680 Next Gen combines our expertise in heavy-duty truck development with the Aurora Driver system’s advanced technology,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth GM and VP.
Sterling Anderson, chief product officer and co-founder at Aurora, stated, “We were elated to unveil a Kenworth truck designed for the Aurora Driver. This initial platform is the result of close collaboration over the past year and represents a significant milestone toward our shared goal of deploying autonomous trucks that can haul goods around the clock, safely and reliably."
