- Californian start-up wants to slash the cost of haulage
- The Humble Hauler promises Level 4 autonomous driving
- Motorized trailer set-up can be configured in multiple ways
If you need visual proof that we are hurtling headlong into a Philip K Dick future, just take a quick look at the Humble Hauler from Californian start-up Humble Robotics.
This prototype is a highly autonomous concept that hopes to replace drivers with a blunt, cab-less design and serious computing power — all so the company can slash costs and improve efficiencies in the freight industry.
According to Humble, this is a first of its kind in so much as it is a “hauler that reasons like a human”, while the streamlined “load execution” means it can act as a tractor, trailer, and driver… all in one.
Essentially a motorized electric trailer on wheels, the futuristic robot can fit both international and domestic containers in its load area.
It is also capable of DC fast-charging for efficient operation and can manage a maximum 200-mile range on a single charge.
A quick scan of the very flashy website reveals that the concept can be configured to handle a variety of cargo, with a six-wheeled concrete mixer sitting side-by-side with an eight-wheeled freight hauler.
Analysis: no humans required
According to Inside EVs, the first prototype is predominantly designed to work in and around warehouses, railways, and seaports, but its 55-mph top speed and Level 4 autonomous capabilities could see it hit the highway one day.
Using the popular vision-language-action (VLA) models, a clever use of AI that is also being harnessed by Hyundai’s Motional robotaxi service and more, the Humble Hauler is better equipped to reason in real-world scenarios and make difficult decisions without human intervention.
Humble Robotics’ CEO, Eyal Cohen, has previously held titles at Apple, Uber, and Waabi, helping this start-up raise some $24 million in funding.
“We are making freight sustainable, safe, and efficient in a way no one thought was possible,” Cohen explains, according to Inside EVs.
Although it is still a pilot program for now, the company says it is already working with major logistics and supply chain players, which is likely bad news for anyone hoping for a career in freight and haulage.
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