Swedish carmaker Volvo's fully autonomous truck is the first in the world to be tested in operations deep underground in a mine, it says.
The company tested the self-driving truck in the Kristineberg Mine located in Sweden.
The self-driving truck is part of a development project aimed at improving transport flow and safety in the mine. The truck will cover a distance of 7km, reaching 1 320m underground in the narrow mine tunnels.
"This is the world's first fully self-driving truck to operate under such tough conditions. It is a true challenge to ensure everything works meticulously more than 1 300m underground," says Torbj"orn Holmstr"om, a member of the Volvo Group executive board and Volvo Group CTO.
"No matter what type of vehicle we develop, safety is always our primary concern and this also applies to self-driving vehicles. I was convinced the truck would stop but naturally I felt a knot in my stomach until the truck applied its brakes," he adds.
Using various sensors, the truck continuously monitors its surroundings and avoids both fixed and moving obstacles.
At the same time, an on-board transport system gathers data to optimise and coordinate the route and fuel consumption. The truck is part of a development project and is being tested in real-life operation for the first time.
The system creates a map of the mine's geometry and uses it to create a route through the tunnels for the truck to follow, as well as to inform steering, gear changes and speed. Each visit allows the truck to further refine its model of the mine and to subsequently optimise its route and fuel consumption.
Of the sensors fitted to the truck, at least two - and often three - are able to monitor any point of its surroundings at any given time. In the event that an obstacle is detected, the truck will stop and contact its control centre.
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