International and Ryder launch live autonomous truck pilot

International Motors has launched a joint autonomous truck pilot with Ryder System, placing a factory-integrated autonomous vehicle into a live freight operation for the first time under its fleet trial programme. Ryder, the programme’s inaugural customer, is operating the truck on a daily 600-mile route along the I-35 corridor between Laredo and Temple, Texas, hauling freight for a Ryder supply chain customer.

The pilot uses International’s second-generation autonomous tractor — an International LT Series truck powered by the S13 Integrated Powertrain — equipped with factory-installed lidar, radar and cameras, and running PlusAI’s SuperDrive autonomous driving software. A human safety driver supervises all operations. Early results show 100% on-time delivery, 92% autonomous route coverage, and pre-trip inspection times of under 30 minutes, alongside reported improvements in fuel efficiency.

A central objective of the collaboration is to validate point-to-point autonomous operations using existing customer infrastructure, removing the requirement for dedicated autonomous terminals or hubs. International said the trial is designed to gather operational data on uptime, serviceability and logistics requirements ahead of a commercial launch.

In a statement, James Cooper, Head of Autonomous Solutions at International, said: “Our target is to provide our customers with an end-to-end solution including vehicles, digital solutions, and operational support services, allowing customers to operate directly from their existing infrastructure and minimising additional complexity.”

Seth deVlugt, Senior Director of RyderVentures and New Product Strategy, added: “Operating an AV in an active logistics network with the supervision of a safety driver allows us to validate the technology where it matters most — on a real lane, moving real freight, for a real customer.”

Source: International Motors