SANY and Pony.ai Ready Fourth-Generation Autonomous Truck for Mass Production

SANY and Pony.ai: Pioneering Autonomous Truck Technology

SANY Group recently revealed that its fourth-generation autonomous heavy-duty truck, developed in collaboration with Pony.ai, is nearing readiness for mass production. Set to launch commercially next year, this innovative vehicle symbolizes a significant leap in China's leadership in autonomous freight transport and aims to accelerate the digital, intelligent, and low-emission transformation of the logistics sector.

Cutting-Edge Technology for Sustainable Freight Transport

This latest model represents a culmination of extensive technical integration between SANY and Pony.ai. The truck boasts a powerful battery exceeding 400 kWh, promising an impressive reduction in carbon emissions—estimated at around 60 tons annually per vehicle. This benchmark underscores the industry's shift toward low-carbon logistics.

For safety and reliability, the autonomous truck features an advanced fully redundant electric chassis design from SANY, encompassing six core systems: steering, braking, communication, power supply, computing, and detection. Rigorous testing for electromagnetic compatibility and extreme temperature performance has established a comprehensive protection system, heightening safety standards across the sector for autonomous freight transport.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency with Autonomous Solutions

The vehicle introduces a unique autonomous platooning solution, labeled "1+4," which involves a driver-operated lead truck followed by four driverless units. This operational strategy is projected to cut freight costs per kilometer by 29%, while also increasing operational profits by 195%. This replicable solution is set to optimize intelligent port operations, streamlining logistics processes significantly.

Zhou Wanchun, Vice President of SANY Group and General Manager of SANY Heavy Truck Marketing, highlighted during the signing ceremony that the mass production of the fourth-generation autonomous truck marks a pivotal point in SANY's digitization and decarbonization strategy. The advanced fully redundant electric chassis serves as a reliable hardware foundation for autonomous operation. Collaboration with Pony.ai has enabled quicker, large-scale adoption of intelligent logistics equipment, leading to unprecedented operational efficiency gains.

Since their strategic partnership commenced in 2022, SANY's expertise in electric chassis and vehicle development has seamlessly aligned with Pony.ai's cutting-edge autonomous driving technology. Together, they have pioneered the world's first implementation of a "5G + autonomous driving + electrification" model in heavy-duty trucks, transitioning from prototype stages to mass production.

Working alongside Sinotrans, SANY and Pony.ai have established a comprehensive "Vehicle + Technology + Scenario" model, setting industry standards that ensure an optimal balance between production capacity, technological maturity, and practical operations. The mass production of the fourth-generation autonomous truck will facilitate the transition from limited demonstration operations to large-scale commercial deployments without drivers.

Equipped with advancements in technology, safety, low-emission performance, and commercial viability, SANY, in collaboration with Pony.ai, is committed to accelerating the intelligent and eco-friendly transformation of the logistics industry. As the world prepares for an era of smart logistics, this partnership is at the forefront of pioneering change, emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and innovation in commercial transport.

Fourth Generation SANY × Pony.ai Autonomous Heavy Truck