With this pilot, Volvo hopes to earn “regulatory and public trust and acceptance of autonomous technologies”.

New plants are expected to enhance Bosch’s components position in the country’s rapidly expanding new energy vehicle (NEV) supply chain.

The ultimate purpose of the project is to help address Japan’s increasing shortage of long-distance truck drivers.

Einride has partnered with American multinational drinks company PepsiCo, to provide a fleet of five digitally optimised electric heavy-duty trucks in Memphis, Tennessee.

The two companies plan to integrate Rocsys’ ‘ROC-1’ hands-free charger with Aidrivers’ autonomous digital infrastructure which allows terminal tractors to drive themselves safely in the port.

The company willl use the newly-raised capital to commercialise its technology, starting next year in distribution centres.

The company called the test a “milestone” on its path to commercialisation of self-driving trucks, which it aims to achieve by 2027.

Plus says it is now ready to begin the second phase of self-driving truck deployment, meaning pilots with customers in America and Europe.

Zhija, established in 2016, is understood to be the first company in China to be awarded a licence to carry out heavy-duty autonomous truck trials on the country’s open roads.

This partnership aims to help resolve chronic driver shortages as well as increase the safety and efficiency of logistics operations in ports and warehouses.

Testing and validation will take place at Fortescue’s iron ore operations in Christmas Creek, Western Australia.

By combining Rocsys’ hands-free charger with Unikie’s ‘Marshalling Solution’, the partners aim to eliminate the need for human drivers to manually park the vehicle in the charging bay and hook it up to the charger.