USA

On July 25, Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) announced that the production of the new Volvo VNL Autonomous truck has started at the Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley plant in Virginia, USA.

The new VNL autonomous truck features the Aurora Driver, an SAE L4 autonomous driving system, equipped with advanced AI software, dual computers, high-resolution cameras, imaging radar, proprietary LiDAR with detection capabilities beyond 400 meters, and additional sensors for safe navigation.

Based on the Volvo Autonomous Solutions social media updates

On July 23, Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. and Kodiak Robotics, Inc. entered into an agreement whereby Kodiak will outfit new Atlas high-capacity trucks with Kodiak’s autonomous driving technology. They have already completed their first driverless delivery of frac sand in West Texas’s Permian Basin.

Atlas has placed an order for Kodiak-equipped driverless trucks. Early next year, Atlas plans to launch commercial operations using its first two trucks equipped with the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s industry-leading autonomous system.

Kodiak will provide its technology to Atlas via a driver-as-a-service licensing agreement. Atlas will own the trucks, and Kodiak will provide the Kodiak Driver’s fully redundant, platform-agnostic, hardware and software stack designed for scalable driverless deployment. Kodiak will also provide operational support services, including remote monitoring.

Based on Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. press release

On July 26, Carbon Revolution announced that it would supply the carbon fiber wheels available on the just-revealed Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Carbon Revolution’s one-piece carbon fiber wheels are significantly lighter than the aluminum option, reducing the Corvette ZR1’s rotating, unsprung mass by 42.8 lbs. (19.4kg) across the vehicle. 

Faced with complex load paths in the wheel’s hub geometry and around the bolted joint, it has developed a unique internal fiber architecture, which, together with its Diamond Weave Technology, was essential to meet GM’s high targets for strength, weight, and durability.

The front wheels are 20 inches tall and 10 inches wide while the rear wheels are 21 inches tall and 13 inches wide. The rear wheels are the world’s widest carbon fiber wheels. Carbon Revolution has designed the wheel for production at scale on the Company’s Mega-line.

Based on Carbon Revolution press release