Moscow-based Vist Group, a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Zyfra, announced this week that it launched a robotized towing truck project together with Nazarbayev University and Russian truck maker Kamaz, the American Journal of Transportation reports.
The plan is to equip the five-wheel towing truck Kamaz Neo with computer vision systems that will allow it to detect a range of objects like people, animals, traffic barriers, cones and autonomously recalculate the route considering this kind of obstacles, the news outlet writes.
“As a part of the project we have designed a computer vision module for a robotized truck on a base of Kamaz 5490 Neo chassis, adapted computer appliance complex, developed and integrated automated planning and self-adjusting to obstacles route steering systems,” said Artem Fedotov, head of the project at Vist Group in a media statement.
Fedotov said that the deadline to complete the adaptation is September 2019. Europe is about to see a driver shortage crisis of 150,000 people and that a similar situation will take place in the U.S.
According to those involved in the project, the need for this type of robotrucks is growing. Based on a series of statistical reports, they assure that Europe is about to see a driver shortage crisis of 150,000 people and that a similar situation will take place in the US. “The fully robotized truck could partially solve the problem, at least within industrial zones,” the media statement reads.
