Locomation

Two silver freight trucks that says Locomation on the side, in a row, driving on a highway.
Follow the leader. Photo: Locomation

Locomation vehicles are self-driving trucks equipped with sensors, computers, and a steering system that allows them to drive as a convoy, following a human-driven leader vehicle. By doing so, they can go much longer distances without having to stop. Drivers take turns leading the convoy or resting in the sleeper berth, reducing labor costs and fuel consumption.

Creator

Locomation

Year
2019
Country
United States 🇺🇸
Categories
Features
200 autonomous miles. Video: Locomation

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Did you know?

Locomation trucks helped deliver supplies for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Close-up on the sensors and cameras attached to the front of a freight truck.
The trucks are outfitted with sensors including lidar, radar, and cameras. Photo: Locomation

History

Locomation was founded by five former engineers from Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center. At CMU they had worked on advanced robotics and artificial intelligence projects, contributing to Mars Rovers for NASA and autonomous vehicle systems for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Federal Highway Administration, and mining and agricultural companies. In 2018, they left to start Locomation, with the goal of advancing autonomous truck technology, and in particular autonomous truck convoys. Locomation shut down in February 2023.

Specs

Overview

Each Locomation truck designed as a L4 vehicle. Human-led, two-truck linked convoy model. Autonomy kit on trucks adjustable via software updates.

Status

Inactive

Year

2019

Website
Width
304 cm
Height
405 cm
Length
845 cm
Weight
8165 kg
Speed
113 km/h
Sensors

Custom configuration of COTS lidars, cameras, radars, INS units.

Actuators

Custom actuation for steering and brake control.

Materials

Machined metal and 3D printed parts for sensor fixtures and actuation retrofitting.

Compute

Ruggedized PC, custom and proprietary safety-rated embedded controller boards.

Software

Custom autonomy stack.

Power

1800 W available power in the cab, sensors and computing using approximately a quarter of it.