Autonomous Solutions
Autonomous Solutions
Autonomous vehicles are joining our roads, and a common question is: can autonomous trucks operate safely in challenging weather conditions? The answer is yes—by harnessing advanced sensory technology, these vehicles can understand and react to their surroundings, even when nature throws a curveball. Let’s take a closer look.
Autonomous trucks are equipped with hardware tailored to their Operating Design Domain (ODD). Every sensor—camera, radar, lidar, microphone, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMUs) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)—is chosen and positioned based on the conditions the truck is expected to encounter. The self-driving software stack is also adapted to the truck’s ODD, ensuring it can handle expected conditions before the vehicle hits the road. Just as our eyes and ears work together to guide us, these systems combine to build a comprehensive picture of the environment and make safety the top priority.
Behind all this capability is extensive testing—both on real roads and in advanced simulations. Every kilometer driven helps us refine how these trucks handle everything from light rain to heavy snow. And because safety is paramount, we've built multiple layers of redundancy into every system. If any critical component fails, our redundancy approach ensures there's always a backup ready. Every safety-critical element—from braking and steering to communication —is intentionally duplicated to maintain safe operation at all times.
Cameras serve as the “eyes” of the truck, but like human eyes, they can struggle in low visibility. To overcome this, infrared cameras, radar, and lidar can be integrated to complement conventional imaging. Infrared cameras detect heat signatures—spotting pedestrians or warm-running engines even in the dark—while radar and lidar sense proximity and movement and create detailed 3D maps of the surroundings, even measuring speed of objects. This multi-sensor approach gives the truck a clear, all-weather view—even in fog, snow, or rain.
Humans naturally adjust their focus to scan for potential hazards. Autonomous trucks rely on strategically positioned sensors to maintain constant vigilance. The sensor setup varies with the driving environment; delivering to a hub just off the highway differs from navigating busy urban streets with roundabouts and tight corners. Current systems may include up to a dozen cameras, radars, sensors, and lidars per truck to ensure reliable coverage from every angle.
Harsh weather and extreme temperatures can obscure sensor performance just as rain or mud can blur human vision. Autonomous trucks are designed with features such as wipers, pressurized air jets, heated surfaces, and weather-proof coatings to handle these extremes and keep the sensor suite running.
At the heart of autonomous driving is a system that not only knows where it is but also understands what it is capable of in real time. Continuous streams of sensory data are processed to detect changes—such as a sudden fog bank or unexpected traffic patterns—and to execute the appropriate action. This might include activating warning lights, reducing speed, or, if conditions become too hazardous, initiating a minimal risk maneuver. In a minimal risk maneuver, the truck safely decelerates and transitions into a secure state, minimizing any risk.
In the Volvo VNL Autonomous, this intelligent decision-making is bolstered by built-in redundancy and backup systems. Should a primary component falter, secondary systems are ready to take over—ensuring the truck remains fully aware and in control, even under extreme conditions.
Extreme weather presents valid challenges—situations where even the most experienced human drivers must rely on a finely tuned combination of senses and judgment. Autonomous trucks, therefore, are built with safety at their core. By integrating state-of-the-art sensors, sensor cleaning, advanced decision-making algorithms, and robust backup systems, these vehicles are designed to detect and react to a wide array of hazardous conditions—often more quickly than a human can. The goal is clear: to remove people from dangerous driving situations and pave the way for safer roads. This is the promise of autonomy—a future where technology works tirelessly to protect lives on every journey.
