Ikea is trialing driverless truck deliveries in Texas

Ikea has teamed up with Kodiak Robotics, an organization that is engaged on self-driving know-how for long-haul trucking, to check driverless deliveries from its warehouses. Since August this yr, an autonomous heavy-duty Kodiak truck has been delivering furnishings from an Ikea distribution middle close to Houston to a retail retailer close to Dallas each single day. Whereas the truck has a backup driver behind the wheel who’s accountable for choosing up the loaded trailer and of overseeing the supply, the truck runs autonomously over lengthy stretches of freeway throughout its 300-mile, one-way journey.

With this partnership, Ikea is hoping to have a greater grasp of how autonomous deliveries could make long-haul journeys safer and will result in higher working situations for truck drivers. Whereas Kodiak’s vehicles aren’t electrical, it is value noting {that a} earlier examine by the UC San Diego (PDF) utilizing one other firm’s autos present that autonomous vehicles are round 10 p.c extra environment friendly than their conventional counterparts. In keeping with Forbes, the 2 corporations agreed to a three-month pilot program, but when all of it goes nicely, they may signal a multi-year deal that might cater to numerous Ikea shops and warehouses. 

The Swedish dwelling furnishings model additionally embraced different sorts of technological advances over the previous few months. In June, it launched a brand new AI-powered app that may scan rooms utilizing LIDAR in order that it could possibly create 3D replicas you possibly can design with Ikea furnishings. It additionally made EV homeowners really feel extra welcome by signing a deal to set up Electrify America’s quick chargers in additional than 25 of its shops within the US.