The Scania AXL is a fully autonomous concept truck with no driver cab, unveiled by Scania in 2019 to explore the future of self-driving heavy machinery in controlled environments such as mines and large construction sites. Steered by an intelligent external control system and powered by renewable biofuel, the Scania AXL concept signals where rugged, cabless autonomy is heading. Here is what makes this driverless truck so significant.
What is the Scania AXL concept?
Scania has always been one of the main references when it comes to trucks in a variety of heavy duty work fields. The AXL is their first concept that just decided to get rid of the driver's cab for a fully autonomous machine.
How does the cabless truck work?
The AXL has an external control system that will navigate it through mines. In Scania's words, they do not rely on technology that is not there yet but they are freely exploring this concept to pave the road for their future machines. Closed mining sectors are much calmer than open roads and chaotic traffic, which makes it that much easier to deploy these machines in such an environment. The truck has a very unique feature, a white light bar that surrounds it in its entirety. Its purpose is simple. It changes color when it detects an obstacle or human, which it will then avoid. That gives peace of mind to humans working around it, as no one wants a 50-plus tonne machine to roll towards them with harmful intent. The AXL runs on renewable biofuel, a strategic move as all manufacturers lead towards a cleaner future. Full details are available on the official Scania newsroom, with additional analysis from Designboom.
The future of autonomous heavy machinery
While we don't expect to see this technology immediately incorporated, it truly gives an insight of what these challenging work environments will look like in the future. The AXL is less a product and more a statement of intent, a way for Scania to learn fast and prepare for a driverless, lower-emission industrial landscape.
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