Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a San Diego-based defense and security technology company, is making waves in the trucking industry.
They've announced plans to deploy self-driving truck platoons on a major freight corridor between Ohio and Indiana later this year.
This "Leader-Follower Platoon" system will use a human-driven truck to lead a self-driving truck, with a safety rider on board the follower in case manual control is needed.
Kratos will partner with EASE Logistics to equip their trucks with self-driving technology for these platoons.
The trucks will haul customer freight in standard trailers on routes between 450 and 500 miles round-trip. Kratos adapted this technology from systems originally developed for the U.S. Department of Defense.
They believe this Leader-Follower Platoon design is a significant development in driverless trucking technology, as it maintains jobs for drivers while increasing freight hauling capacity.
Kratos sees this as a win-win solution for companies by strengthening their supply chain security and maintaining their workforce. | 