DFDS to test Volvo Trucks' Vera

Photo: Volvo Trucks

The Danish shipping company will put to the test the electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle which will transport goods from DFDS' logistics centre to APM's terminal in the Gothenburg port.

"The collaboration with DFDS is a first step towards implementing Vera in a real transport assignment on pre-defined public roads in an industrial area," a joint press release reads. The vehicle will be used for short distance, repetitive transportation of large volumes of goods, with speeds up to 40 km/h.

The autonomous  system will be monitored by an operator in a control tower, who'll also be responsible for the transport.

The DFDS-Volvo Trucks initiative is supported by the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova, the Swedish Transport Administration, and the Swedish Energy Agency through the Strategic Vehicle Research And Innovation Programme FFI.

"We want to be at the forefront of connected, autonomous transportation. This collaboration will help us develop an efficient, flexible and sustainable long-term solution for receiving autonomous vehicles arriving at our port terminal gates, benefitting our customers, the environment and our business," Torben Carlsen, CEO, DFDS, commented.

Mikael Karlsson, Vice President Autonomous Solutions, Volvo Trucks, also said, "Now we have the opportunity to implement Vera in an ideal setting and further develop her potential for other similar operations."