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Working together with major truck makers and industry suppliers, self-driving truck companies are preparing factories for mass production of driverless trucks.

Overnight freight deliveries could more than double the utilization of a truck, PlusAI said. The company expects to introduce night driving on customer routes in the coming weeks.

PlusAI and the Traton Group are expanding their partnership to accelerate the scaled deployment of on-highway autonomous trucking in the U.S. and Europe, the companies announced.

This is PlusAI’s second attempt to go public. The company announced plans to merge with Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. V in a 2021 deal that valued the company at $3.3 billion.

Operating along the I-35 corridor between Laredo and Dallas, the pilot program will include selected fleet partners and will be managed from International’s autonomous hub in San Antonio.

Teaming up with the SPAC controlled by former investment banker Michael Klein will put a valuation of $1.2 billion on Plus. The combined entity will be known as PlusAI.

Hydrogen trucks cost more than diesel models, but autonomous driving capabilities could double the utilization of those vehicles and improve the total cost of ownership calculation.

The startup conducted a variety of driverless safety tests with its SuperDrive autonomous driving system installed on an International LT Series Class 8 tractor in East Liberty, Ohio.

Automated driving technology company Plus has been ramping up on-road testing of autonomous heavy-duty trucks in the United States and Europe in cooperation with Traton Group’s commercial truck brands.   

Automated driving technology company Plus has been ramping up on-road testing of autonomous heavy-duty trucks in the United States and Europe in cooperation with Traton Group.