Automotive autonomous software maker Plus has partnered with Traton, one of Europe’s largest trucking conglomerates, to deploy Plus’s SAE Level 4 autonomous driving solution, SuperDrive, in Scania, MAN, and Navistar autonomous trucks. This partnership signifies another significant win for Plus following its deals with other players in the trucking industry. Scania, MAN, and Navistar are the commercial vehicle brands for Sweden, Germany, and the United States under the Traton Group, and plans are in place for series production and global commercial deployments of autonomous trucks from these brands.
In a shift in its delivery model, Plus has introduced the Open Platform for Autonomy, allowing vehicle OEMs to tailor the configuration of sensors, processors, and other vehicle systems to their desired level of autonomy. Traton has committed to the long-term implementation of Plus’s fully autonomous SuperDrive solution, bypassing the option to license individual modules from Plus. This move is a significant win for Plus and the trucking industry as a whole, showing Traton’s confidence in Plus’s technology.
The implementation of autonomous driving technology presents challenges for companies like Plus, as they must demonstrate the value and capabilities of their solutions on a large scale. Differentiating itself from competitors, Plus has focused on providing advanced driving assistance systems, highly automated driving, and its L4 autonomous driving technology. By partnering with major players in the industry, such as Traton, Plus solidifies its position and showcases its ability to deliver at scale.
Plus’s strategy of proving itself first with L1 and L2-plus solutions before moving to L4 has positioned it well within the autonomous driving market. The company’s disaggregation of its software into an open platform allows for customization and integration into various OEM software stacks. Plus has cultivated partnerships with hardware companies to address the complexities of autonomous driving, ensuring it can meet manufacturers’ diverse needs as the technology evolves.
Looking ahead, the development of partnerships with technology platform providers such as Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and MediaTek could further enhance Plus’s capabilities. By establishing solid partnerships, Plus aims to address the multifaceted challenges of autonomous driving and stay at the forefront of innovation in the industry. As the adoption of autonomous driving solutions continues to grow, Plus’s focus on collaboration and customization gives it a competitive edge in the market.
The partnership between Plus and Traton, along with other major truck OEMs, signifies a shift towards autonomous driving solutions in the trucking industry. While each approach to implementing autonomous driving offers unique advantages, the approach that fosters competition and innovation typically sees the most growth. Plus’s commitment to providing a variety of options to manufacturers and working closely with industry partners indicates a promising future for safe and efficient autonomous trucks on the road.
