China's new ​​autonomous truck platoon lets a driver run five trucks

Chinese heavy truck manufacturer SANY, in partnership with autonomous driving tech firm Pony.ai, is set to mass-produce its fourth-generation autonomous semi trucks starting this year. These trucks feature a “human in the lead” platooning system, where one human-driven lead truck is followed by up to four autonomous trucks, aimed at addressing regulatory concerns and improving fleet profitability. The trucks incorporate advanced technologies including a 400 kWh swappable battery with regenerative braking, radar, cameras, and a drive-by-wire chassis covering steering, braking, communication, power supply, computing, and sensing. The system has passed rigorous safety and electromagnetic compatibility tests, demonstrating readiness for freight carriage. The 1+4 platooning operation is targeted primarily at smart port and dryage applications, enabling early adoption of autonomous technology without waiting for full perfection. Pilot tests indicate this approach can reduce freight costs per kilometer by 29% and increase operating profits by 195%. SANY and Pony.ai have collaborated closely with Sinotrans, China’s