Plus partners to enhance L4 autonomous trucking globally

Plus, an autonomous driving software company, has announced new partnerships to enhance driverless trucking in Japan, Europe, and the US. The company is working with TIER IV, a Tokyo-based software provider, to develop Level 4 (L4) autonomous trucks for Japan’s expressways. TIER IV is collaborating with the Japanese government to support its Autonomy 2.0 initiative, which focuses on autonomous vehicle technology. This partnership is significant as Japan faces a shortage of truck drivers, with projections showing a potential shortfall of two-thirds of needed drivers by 2030. In addition to the collaboration in Japan, Plus is partnering with Traton, a major trucking subsidiary of Volkswagen. They have already made progress by integrating Plus's AI-based driving software, SuperDrive, into their vehicles. Their joint efforts have led to successful tests in Texas, where trucks traveled significant distances without human intervention. The Texas trials are part of a phased rollout planned for 2027. The partnership aims to improve software capabilities, including perception features, through ongoing testing in both Texas and Sweden. Plus also has relationships with other truck manufacturers, including Hyundai and Iveco, highlighting its strong position in the autonomous trucking market. Although Plus is not yet fully commercial, the company is actively developing and testing its technology. Their approach leverages AI to simplify software complexity, enhancing the potential for safe and efficient trucking logistics in the future. The partnerships announced signal confidence from major companies in Plus’s solutions for autonomous driving.