Einride's autonomous truck prototype has no windows or seats
Gothenburg-based trucking company einride has launched a full-scale prototype of its self-driving electric vehicle, the T-pod, which is said will "improve road safety, create jobs and provide cost-efficient transports." The 23-metre-long T-pod has a range of 124 miles, can carry 15 pallets and will begin operating a route between Gothenburg and Helsingborg, in Sweden, carrying an estimated two million pallets annually.
swedish company einride has recently unveiled the first full-scale prototype of its futuristic autonomous electric truck ‘T-pod’. the electric, self-driving vehicle can be remotely controlled by drivers and can carry 15 pallets of goods 124 miles while producing zero emissions. in contrast to other autonomous driving technology, the model offers a number of capabilities which have not been presented before.

each pod stands at a height of 23 feet (7 meters) in length and is able to travel 124 miles on a single charge. at present einride is developing compatible charging stations to power the vehicles. the model removes unnecessary features such as windows and seating, and in its place presents a simple box form.

the launch marks a global transition from heavy, noisy trucks with monstrous emissions and bad working conditions to emission-free, noise reduced trucks that allow workers to operate on a standard schedule closer to home. the einride system doesn’t only benefit the environment but also improves road safety, creates new jobs and provides more cost-efficient transports for purchasers. a ‘T-pod’ is the height of efficiency; personnel don’t have to stand by as it charges or spend an excess of time away from family and friends, and overall client logistics will be more flexible.

the einride t-pods will start running between the cities of gothenburg and helsingborg, sweden and the first active system will cover a capacity of 2,000,000 pallets per year. that corresponds to 400,000 passenger cars on the same route. even better, all of this will run with few to no emissions.

‘einride is transforming the existing transport chain from the ground up. the big companies behind long haul trucks keep building bigger trucks to increase efficiency, which ultimately means even more emissions. we are changing that by creating a secure solution that is, not only cost effective, but dramatically minimizes the negative environmental impact of the transportation industry.’

filip lilja, coo at einride