Aeva and Daimler Truck join forces for autonomous commercial vehicle program

Aeva (NYSE: AEVA), a leader in next-generation sensing and perception systems, has officially teamed up with Daimler Truck AG, a top commercial vehicle manufacturer, to supply long and ultra-long range LiDAR for their autonomous commercial vehicle program. This partnership is set to begin in the first quarter of 2024, with Aeva’s production starting by 2026 and Daimler Truck’s production ramping up by 2027.

Aeva’s Advanced 4D LiDAR Technology: A Game-Changer for Autonomous Trucks

Under the collaboration, Aeva will provide its state-of-the-art Aeva Atlas 4D LiDAR technology to Daimler Truck. This technology is crucial for achieving SAE Level 4 autonomous capabilities, initially in the Class 8 Freightliner Cascadia truck platform. Aeva’s LiDAR sensors will be directly integrated into Daimler Truck’s production process, allowing customers to purchase autonomous-ready trucks without the need for retrofitting sensors.

Aeva and Daimler Truck AG Announce Collaboration for Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Enhancing Autonomous Driving with FMCW LiDAR Technology

Aeva’s unique Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) 4D LiDAR technology is pivotal in autonomous driving. Unlike traditional LiDAR sensors, this technology uses a continuous laser beam to measure range and velocity simultaneously, offering new safety and automation levels by instantly identifying static and dynamic points and their velocities.

Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration

Joanna Buttler, Head of Global Autonomous Technology Group at Daimler Truck, emphasized the strategic importance of selecting the right LiDAR technology for safely deploying autonomous trucks. She expressed confidence in Aeva’s technology and its scalability. Peter Vaughan Schmidt, CEO at Torc Robotics, highlighted Aeva’s FMCW LiDAR technology as a key differentiator for long-range detection and object identification, crucial for safely deploying autonomous trucks at scale.

Impact on the Autonomous Trucking Industry

This collaboration signifies significant progress in making autonomous trucks a reality. Daimler Truck and Torc have already conducted successful on-road test programs and customer pilots. Their trucks, equipped with advanced sensor sets combining LiDAR, radar, and camera technology, are designed for safe operation in various road conditions.

Aeva’s Role as a Tier 1 Supplier

The selection of Aeva as a direct supplier to Daimler Truck positions it as a Tier 1 supplier to automotive OEMs globally. Soroush Salehian, Co-Founder and CEO of Aeva, expressed pride in this partnership, which he believes will revolutionize commercial trucking with safe, autonomous trucks.