Self-Driving Tech Company Completes Delivery of 400 Autonomous Trucks

Self-driving tech company Inceptio Technology has just completed delivery of 400 autonomous trucks to a customer in China, in what is believed to be the largest ever order of its kind.

The Shanghai-based developer delivered the trucks to ZTO Express, one of the country’s leading delivery companies.

The vehicles have been produced in collaboration with the Wuhan-based Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle Company, a joint venture between the state-owned Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Volvo.

The Dongfeng trucks are fitted with Inceptio’s Autonomous Driving System, which delivers Level 3-rated automated functionality, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. 

This is considered “conditional automation,” where the vehicle is in control of some driving tasks in certain conditions, but the driver must be ready to step in and take over at any time if required.

ZTO, which is targeting a strategic expansion in China’s logistics network with its newly enlarged fleet of vehicles, said the autonomous trucks will be used to cut costs, enhance efficiency and increase its operational value.

The size of the deal has been hailed as a landmark by Inceptio, which claims it constitutes a “critical step” toward the mass commercialization of autonomous logistics solutions.

Related:Driverless Trucks Approved for Public Roads in Chinese City

Julian Ma, founder and CEO, explained: “This milestone delivery to ZTO Express marks a pivotal moment in our mission to revolutionize logistics with autonomous driving technology. Inceptio-powered trucks are not only transforming the operational landscape with their safety and efficiency but also setting new standards for the industry. 

“With thousands of trucks powered by our autonomous systems currently on the road, we are leveraging our powerful data-driven R&D system to further enhance our algorithms and improve our full-stack solution. We will continue to work closely with our truck OEM partners to offer logistics operators even greater safety, efficiency and profitability.”

The record-breaking sale is the latest in a series of milestones for Inceptio since its formation in 2018.

In 2021, it partnered with Chinese OEMs to roll out the world’s first mass-produced Level 3 autonomous trucks, and in 2022 it became the first company in China to receive a public road-testing permit for driverless autonomous heavy-duty trucks in the city of Deqing, in Zhejiang province.

Although headquartered in China, it also has a base in Fremont, California.