Hyundai Completes Autonomous Driving Journey with Xcient Heavy Truck
Journey Details
Hyundai Motor has announced that its Xcient heavy truck has successfully completed a 40-kilometer autonomous driving journey on a highway in South Korea. The Korean manufacturer stated that this journey, conducted by a truck with a maximum load of 40 tons, is the first of its kind in the country.
Autonomous Driving System
The truck is equipped with a Level 3 autonomous driving system that meets the standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers, enabling it to:
- Control steering
- Accelerate and decelerate
- Navigate roads without human intervention
Comments from the Head of R&D
Dr. Mike Ziegler, Head of the Commercial Vehicle R&D Group at Hyundai Motor, described this journey as "successful," stating:
"It demonstrates that innovative autonomous driving technology can transform the commercial logistics sector. A human driver is still needed for manual control of the truck in some situations at this stage, but I believe we will achieve Level 4 automation soon, as we continuously work on enhancing and developing our technical capabilities."
Technical Journey Details
The autonomous driving journey took place on August 21 between Uiwang and Incheon, in collaboration with Glovis, a Hyundai Group company. The truck maintained a speed within the highway limit of 90 kilometers per hour throughout the one-hour journey along one of the busiest freight routes in South Korea.
Technical Features
Innovative technical features enabled the truck to:
- Stay within lane boundaries
- Change lanes when necessary
- Detect changes in the vehicles ahead
- Navigate through tunnels
- Execute full stops or accelerate according to traffic conditions
Engineering Specifications
This truck is, on average, approximately three and a half times longer than a compact sedan, about 1.4 times wider, and its empty weight is 9.2 times heavier, necessitating an advanced and integrated autonomous driving system. Hyundai Motor equipped the truck with sensors similar to those used in self-driving sedans, along with additional enhanced sensors specifically for heavy trucks, such as:
- A traction angle sensor
- A rear radar sensor
Data Synchronization
The data collected by each sensor is synchronized with a high-definition map, transmitting information to an electronic control unit for processing and making precise decisions for each scenario, thereby controlling:
- Speed
- Steering
- Braking
Steering Control System
Hyundai Motor utilized a new steering control system developed by its subsidiary, Mobis, which allows the hydraulic steering system powered by a special motor, referred to as MAHS, to provide precise steering control based on decisions made by the electronic control unit, reducing the effort required for steering the truck.
Future Outlook
Dr. Sang-Sook Suh, Head of Strategy and Planning at Hyundai Glovis, believes that the company's success in utilizing autonomous trucks within its delivery service "proves that self-driving technology can be practically applied in logistics transportation and can contribute to achieving mutual development," stating:
"The company is expected to become a leader in adopting future mobility technologies such as autonomous driving in the commercial logistics sector."
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