Following on from an agreement signed last year to develop a self-driving tractor, Kalmar and Forterra are now in the second round of tests of their jointly developed solution.

Kalmar, a subsidiary of the company which, among other things, manufactures terminal tractors for container-handling operations, will be spun off as a new company named ‘Kalmar Corporation’.

As per the agreement, Kalmar will develop “automation-ready” terminal tractors which will then be installed with Forterra’s self-driving technology, called ‘AutoDrive’.

Columbus, Indiana-based power systems manufacturer Cummins Inc has released a new electric powertrain for terminal tractors. The new PowerDrive 8000 will support gross vehicle weights from 36 tonnes to 88.5 tonnes.