Think Smart, Think Sinotruk

For several years, Sinotruk has led the development of intelligent commercial vehicles in China, making great strides in trials for autonomous driving and smart trucks.

As the pioneer of autonomous driving in China, Sinotruk launched the first-generation smart truck in September 2016, integrating intelligent features such as rear-end collision prevention, side-turn prevention, lane keeping assist, traction control, and self-adaptive cruise control.

The manufacturer’s first 20 smart trucks were put into market operations at the end of 2017, ushering in a new era for intelligent Chinese transportation. Soon afterwards, Sinotruk announced orders for 1,041 smart trucks and brought in Justine Cassell, the leading expert in global artificial intelligence (AI) development, as its AI strategic consultant.

At the same time, Tian Lei, vice director of the department of vehicle electronics design at the Sinotruk Technical Development Centre, announced the establishment of a working station for intelligent connected vehicles, in cooperation with leading academic Li Deyi from the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Deyi also headed the cooperative trial operation between Sinotruk, Tianjin Port, and Tianjin Main Line Science and Technology.

This bold partnership between vehicle manufacturer, port company, and high-end developer has helped to fast-track the development of unmanned electric trucks and other smart and green logistics in China.

Ever since the trial operation of the world’s first L4 unmanned battery-electric truck in Tianjin Port on 12 April 2018, Sinotruk has continued to drive Chinese intelligent commercial vehicle innovations. The trial of Sinotruk’s Howo T5G – which is able to drive 120km fully loaded and can fully charge in under an hour – was an important step in the road towards commercial use. The driverless electric truck incorporates artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Vehicles, cloud computing, and a whole host of other innovative technologies.

The second generation of Sinotruk smart trucks was launched in November 2019, furthering the manufacturer’s aims, including to develop intelligent trucks that will be able to drive on intelligent highways, mines, and logistics parks.

Sinotruk provided vehicles to help complete the “First Container”  task by unmanned container trucks at the Shenzhen Mawan Smart Port in 2021. The autonomous trucks featured digital perception radar sensor solutions that enabled the trucks to operate safely in low visibility conditions like rain, fog, or extreme dust.

Also in 2021, the manufacturer delivered 30 Howo TX electric container truck tractors at the opening of an intelligent charging and battery change station in Rizhao, southeast Shandong province. The high-performance battery of the Howo TX boasts industry-leading safety and can be changed in only five minutes, greatly improving operating efficiency. Part of Sinotruk’s commitment to building a “zero carbon port” in Shandong, the delivery of the electric container trucks was made with a view to develop more of these zero carbon ports and smart terminals to contribute to China’s carbon neutralisation goals and drive commercial vehicle innovation in the country.

Sinotruk’s lightweight intelligent electric container trucks feature better automatic driving performance, stronger chassis, faster charging, and longer mileage, boosting intelligent logistics. Sinotruk sees the continued focus on intelligent trucks as integral in its efforts to build itself into a world-class, globally competitive company.

Through these kinds of commercial vehicle and AI innovations, alongside groundbreaking partnerships with various sectors, Sinotruk is helping to elevate the company and, indeed, its home country.