A consortium led by Hydrogen Automobile Programs (HVS) within the UK has been awarded £6.6 million ($8.07 million) in authorities funding to develop and ship the world’s first autonomous, hydrogen-powered HGV (Heavy Items Automobile).

The consortium, dubbed Hub2Hub, which is able to start automobile trials in 2024 in partnership with British grocery store chain, was chosen by the Heart for Related Autonomous Automobiles (CCAV) as a recipient for its joint business and government-funded undertaking. Two prototype autos will initially be constructed.

The primary prototype will function a driver’s cab and be geared up with Fusion Processing’s Automated Drive System, CAVStar, whereas additionally having a human security driver on the wheel. In the meantime, the second prototype may have the motive force’s cab eliminated and changed by an aerodynamic fairing. This prototype can be put by means of its paces on take a look at tracks pushed with the CAVStar system and have a distant human driver.

Learn: HVS Will get UK Authorities Funding For Hydrogen Truck With Autonomous Tech

The intention of the undertaking is to develop the following era of transportation and logistics and goals to indicate the potential of autonomy within the transportation sector.

“A transport revolution is happening within the UK and HVS, along with the consortium, is on the forefront of the innovation,” HVS chief government Jawad Khursheed stated in an announcement. “We’re engineering the world’s first autonomous hydrogen-electric powered HGV to reveal hub-to-hub logistics to a number one retailer, ASDA, to raise public notion, showcasing the potential autonomy can ship due to elevated security and gas financial savings, and develop new enterprise fashions.”

Fusion Processing’s Automated Drive System has radars, LiDARs, cameras, and synthetic intelligence. It may handle key shortcomings within the haulage business, together with driver shortages and assist to enhance the standard of lifetime of drivers with the introduction of distant teleoperated autos.

“Our market evaluation signifies that the business automobile segments similar to haulage are the place we’ll see autonomous automobile expertise first utilized in massive scale deployments,” Fusion Processing chief government Jim Hutchinson added. “Hub2Hub is an ideal showcase of what the superior model of our CAVstar Automated Drive System can obtain. Combining SAE Stage 4 autonomous driving with tele-operation to ship safer and extra environment friendly automobile operations.”