Capitalising on a software-centric approach that incorporates self-learning and sensor fusion, the autonomous truck will have the ability to operate 24 hours a day seven days a week, which Gemini say could quadruple operational efficiency.
The California, US-based cleantech company is currently developing its first prototype of the so-called RoboTruck with ambitions of testing next year (2023).
Additionally, the concept requires no driver cabin, which Gemini say will reduce capital costs at volume production, mitigating the additional cost of autonomous vehicle sensors and computer equipment.
Maik Ziegler, co-founder of Gemini Motors, who is also the former head of Advanced Engineering at Daimler Truck North America, and the former head of Commercial Vehicles at Hyundai Motor Europe, believes fuel cell technology complements the futuristic concept.
Ziegler said, “Only fuel cell electric propulsion will give us the driving range and fast refuelling needed to harvest the 24/7 operation benefits of an autonomous truck. In this way, we are solving the chicken and egg problem of which comes first, the refuelling infrastructure or the vehicles.
“The development of a hub-to-hub operation model for Gemini trucks is far more economical than other alternatives because the number of refuelling stations required for our fleet will be exponentially lower than would otherwise be the case.”
North American Hydrogen Summit
H2 View is taking its events platform to America’s original clean hydrogen hub of California. Together with the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), we will stage our North American Hydrogen Summit in San Francisco on July 14-15.
As our summit theme Building Bridges: Hydrogen hubs and investment suggests, the event will explore the $8bn of funding announced to create at least four regional hydrogen hubs in the US. These hubs will turbo-charge the nation’s progress toward heavy trucking and industrial sectors that run without producing carbon pollution – and they may just provide the path forward to a hydrogen-fuelled future.
With California and Texas vying to be America’s hydrogen capital today, where are the hubs of tomorrow? Further still, what can other states, and countries, learn from California’s success story? And how can we build bridges to a successful flow of international investment?
If you are a member of the CaFCP, be sure to grab your ticket at a discounted rate with a code that can be provided to you by the events team.
Full information about this event including attendance and sponsorship packages can be found here.