A British carmaker is part of a consortium that has secured £6.6m in government funding to build the world’s first self-driving hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicle for trial at Asda.
Glasgow-based Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) is developing two prototype HGVs as part of a group that includes supermarket giant Asda.
The third member of the consortium is British self-driving technology company Fusion Processing.
The project, estimated to cost £12m, will see one of the cars fitted with a cab and tested on the road, autonomous but driven by a human driver.
Another will operate without a cab and be evaluated on a test track with a driver operating remotely.
Through sensor technology, cameras and artificial intelligence, the hope is that the vehicle will be able to operate alongside a remote driver on some journeys.
HVS hopes these vehicles can help solve problems in the transportation industry, such as driver shortages.
It also claims the technology will improve drivers’ quality of life by reducing intensive shifts and helping with work-life balance.
It added that self-driving cars would also reduce energy and tire emissions by better managing acceleration and braking.
Commenting on the announcement, UK Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: “In just a few years, the business of self-driving cars could add tens of billions to our economy and create tens of thousands of jobs across the UK. job opportunity.
“This is a huge opportunity to drive our economic priorities forward and we are determined to seize it.
“The support we are providing today will help our transportation and technology pioneers stay ahead of the global competition and turn their bright ideas into market-ready products faster than anyone else.”
The group’s efforts must demonstrate sustainable commercial service by 2025 and are supported by the UK government-funded Center for Connected Autonomous Vehicles.
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