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Hyzon busy with autonomous and hydrogen moves

Agreement on self-driving tech follows MOU on refuelling stations

 

Hyzon Motors, one of the more recent American alternative-propulsion heavy vehicle brands, has signed a self-driving vehicles agreement with tech firm Aidrivers with an aim of producing autonomous zero-emission trucks, buses and coaches for off-road industrial mobility operations.

Under the agreement, Hyzon and Aidrivers will jointly collaborate on the design, manufacture and delivery of an integrated platform for autonomous-drive hydrogen-powered trucks, buses and coaches with an initial focus on ports in the Asia-Pacific region as end-users.  

The commercial vehicle upstart, whose link down under is Australian CEO and co-founder Craig Knight, says the first trial of a fully autonomous hydrogen fuel-cell powered truck is expected this year, with the first fleet of operational trucks to be deployed in 2022.

“We have seen, over the past few years, many industrial operators around the world get serious about decarbonising their operations,” Knight says.

“To this end, Hyzon and its parent company, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, have been supplying hydrogen-powered vehicles and fuel-cell solutions to seaports and other industrial operators for many years.

“However, today’s partnership with Aidrivers, which is a leader in the autonomous mobility automation sector, combines two of the most innovative aspects of mobility – zero-emission fuel and autonomous driving – to create a safer, smarter and cleaner solution for ports, logistics, airports and other industrial operators around the world.

“This is the ultimate future of mobility; zero emissions with zero drivers.”

Aidrivers is an autonomous mobility provider focused on industrial operations, delivering AI-enabled autonomous mobility solutions to seaports, airports and logistic operations.

Its AI-enabled algorithms and 3D sensors deliver focus particularly on seaport terminals.

It comprises two key solutions: the Autonomous Intelligent Operating System (AIOS), equipped with precision 3D mapping and localisation to perform in dynamic environments, and the Autonomous Intelligent Fleet Operator (AIFO) management system, which combines 3D perception with situation awareness to enable autonomous driving.

AIFO provides the operator with a live visualisation platform and predictive analytics for intelligent path planning and scheduling.

“While automation is already common in industrial operations, Aidrivers is re-shaping industrial mobility by bringing zero-emissions to autonomous driving. This agreement delivers sustainability and truly looks at the future of mobility,” Aidrivers CEO and founder Rafiq Swash says.

“We are excited to be working with Hyzon, an established and pioneering group in global zero-emission mobility, a world leader in fuel-cell technology and already a supplier of hydrogen-powered trucks to ports.

“This is an exciting partnership, and we look forward to delivering the future of sustainable and safe mobility in the coming years.”

Hyzon is a name gaining more traction in Australia, having recently also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pure Hydrogen Corporation – a division of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed firm Real Energy – on a network of hydrogen refuelling stations planned here.


How the hydrogen debate and reality is unfolding in Australia, here


The MOU aims to provide hydrogen solutions to customers in Australia, such as the provision of Hyzon Motors’ hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles, and building a network of refuelling stations for hydrogen in Australia.

“This MOU with such an established and respected hydrogen fuel cell vehicle company like Hyzon is an outstanding development and excellent validation of our plans to develop a hydrogen focused energy business in Australia,” Pure Hydrogen managing director Scott Brown says.

“We see Australia as a key market for the integration of hydrogen power technology into hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy transportation,” Hyzon Motors Australia director John Feenan adds.

“The MoU with Pure Hydrogen paves the way for both parties to boost the hydrogen infrastructure capabilities of Australia and propel the nation’s fleet operators towards a zero-emissions future.”

 

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