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.

According to the fleet operator Inceptio, this was its largest single order of intelligent heavy-duty trucks so far. The trucks were developed in partnership with Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle Company Ltd.

Isuzu said the two companies, “Plan to accelerate joint development of Level 4 autonomous trucks based on a partnership strategy that spans five years."

The modified van, which was reportedly paid for with a USD600,000 grant, can carry up to eight passengers and three wheelchair occupants, who access the vehicle via the dual-sliding bus door on the side.

MFTBC first started trials of the new model in November 2023 in Kawasaki City, in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment.

This vehicle is Switzerland's first driverless public transport vehicle, set to operate on a 2.2-kilometre route in Arbon at a speed of 30 km/h.

The EV & Future Mobility Park is being created on 300 acres in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri District.