Ashok Leyland partners with Minus Zero to develop self-driving trucks

Commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland has announced a strategic partnership with tech startup Minus Zero to develop self-driving trucks. The collaboration will focus on developing autonomous trucking solutions for ports, factory operations, and corporate campuses, with future plans to expand into hub-to-hub applications and long-haul trucking. This partnership aims to integrate Minus Zero’s AI technology-based autonomous driving platform into Ashok Leyland’s fleet of commercial vehicles.

According to an Ashok Leyland statement, the partnership seeks to leverage global regulations and infrastructure that are evolving to support autonomous driving. The companies are exploring the possibility of offering joint product offerings to international markets as well. Minus Zero, a Bengaluru-based startup founded in 2021, is backed by technology venture capital fund Chiratae Ventures among other investors.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards advancing autonomous driving technology in the commercial vehicle sector. By integrating Minus Zero’s AI technology, Ashok Leyland aims to enhance efficiency and safety in trucking operations. The partnership reflects the growing trend of technology companies and traditional manufacturers working together to drive innovation in the transportation industry.

As the partnership progresses, Ashok Leyland and Minus Zero will work closely to develop and deploy autonomous trucking solutions across various sectors. With a focus on ports, factory operations, and corporate campuses, the companies are exploring new possibilities for autonomous driving technology in commercial vehicles. Future prospects include expanding into hub-to-hub applications and long-haul trucking, contingent on regulatory developments in the autonomous driving space.