Sustainable self-driving ‘pod’ aims to change future of transport

The ‘T-pod’ is an electric, self-driving vehicle that can be remotely controlled by drivers, set for prototype testing in 2017 followed by international distribution. In addition to the T-pod, the Swedish company is developing a remote driving system, charging stations and an infrastructure that will make the system the most pioneering of its kind.

Einride’s launch is the beginning in a transition from heavy, noisy trucks with monstrous emissions and bad working conditions to emission-free, noise reduced trucks that allow workers to operate on a standard schedule closer to home.

The Einride T-pods will start running between the cities of Gothenburg and Helsingborg, Sweden and the first active system will cover a capacity of 2,000,000 pallets per year. That corresponds to 400,000 passenger cars on the same route. Even better, all of this will run with few to no emissions.

Filip Lilja, COO at Einride, commented: “Einride is transforming the existing transport chain from the ground up. The big companies behind long haul trucks keep building bigger trucks to increase efficiency, which ultimately means even more emissions. We are changing that by creating a secure solution that is, not only cost effective, but dramatically minimises the negative environmental impact of the transportation industry.”

Benefitting the environment is not the only feature of the system, it also improves road safety, creates new jobs and provides more cost-efficient transports for purchasers. A ‘T-pod’ is the height of efficiency; personnel don’t have to stand by as it charges or spend an excess of time away from family and friends, and overall client logistics will be more flexible.

Robert Falck, CEO of Einride, added: “Our vision is to enhance the lives of all people through the delivery of a global, impact-positive supply chain infrastructure. We don’t believe our work is done when we’ve achieved carbon neutrality. Our design process is driven by our goal to have a net positive impact – whether that’s improving the lives of transport workers or reducing road traffic accidents, every element of our system aims to have a measurable positive impact on the planet.”