TuSimple is partnering with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., as the self-driving trucking company continues to build a network of supplier and OEM partners.
The collaboration, announced Tuesday, will provide tires and tire management solutions to TuSimple’s Autonomous Freight Network (AFN).
As part of the agreement, Goodyear also will provide products and repair services for the Level 4 autonomous trucks. Level 4 autonomy refers to trucks that do not need a driver under certain conditions.
Additionally, Goodyear and TuSimple will conduct wear studies designed to understand how autonomous trucks and tires can help better predict maintenance, understand tire longevity and reduce the carbon impact of fleets.
Collected data from the study will also deliver insights into the difference between an autonomous and human driver with respect to the tires.
“With our leadership in products, fleet support and advanced innovations, Goodyear is applying knowledge to help deliver performance and safety with autonomous vehicles,” Erin Spring, Goodyear’s director of new ventures, said in a press release.
TuSimple launched the AFN in July with the goal to provide reliable, low-cost freight transportation throughout the Lower 48 states through the use of autonomous trucks.
This summer, TuSimple announced partnerships with OEMs Navistar and the Traton Group.
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