UD Trucks has launched ‘Fujin & Raijin. Vision 2030.‘ – an innovation roadmap that aims to deliver a variety of solutions for smart logistics, including fully electric and autonomous trucks by 2030.

The roadmap focuses on the key areas of automation and electromobility to address the challenges of a rapidly changing world. It takes a step-by-step approach together with customers to offer commercialised solutions for select automation and electromobility applications from 2020, with a view toward fully fledged commercialisation by 2030.

By 2030, demand for parcel delivery is expected to grow 50% compared with 2014. To meet this demand, the logistics industry faces significant challenges, including a responsibility to reduce CO2 emissions, the growing scale of online commerce, and driver shortages. UD Trucks believes that transformative innovations in automation and electromobility are key to overcoming these challenges and providing customers with the trucks that fit their needs.

“When delivering on our promise to provide the trucks and services the world needs today, we have always done things a bit differently from others in our industry,” said UD Trucks chairman Joachim Rosenberg. “As we now look forward, we are convinced that the world needs smart logistics.”

UD Trucks takes inspiration for their innovation roadmap from the gods of wind and thunder, Fujin and Raijin. UD Trucks‘ progress in automation is inspired by Fujin, the god of wind, who symbolises the power of movement, while its work in electromobility is inspired by Raijin, the god of thunder, who symbolises the power of energy. With ‘Fujin & Raijin. Vision 2030.‘ UD Trucks is committed to developing smarter logistics solutions in these key areas, enabled by advances in connectivity and digitalisation.

“Since the launch of the New Quon in 2017, UD Trucks has moved steadily forward on its mission to drive the future of smart logistics,” said Douglas Nakano, senior vice president of UD Trucks Technology. “This new innovation roadmap represents a major leap forward for both the company, the logistics industry, and our society. We are committed to ensuring that our customers around the world feel the full benefits of the solutions and products we are developing, which will ultimately make life better for everyone in our society.”

Mark Strambi, vice president – UD Trucks Australia, said the announcement shows a commitment by UD Trucks to be a major player in the future technology of the transport industry, whilst at the same time addressing the issues facing the industry today.

“UD Trucks Australia is committed to providing a range of trucks that meet the demands of our current and future customers. As always, UD Trucks Australia will only launch products into the local market after the extensive testing and validation required to ensure they withstand the unique conditions of Australia and New Zealand.”

Over the course of 2018, UD Trucks will conduct demonstrations of autonomous driving and electric drive prototypes, targeting field tests and customer trials ahead of Tokyo Motor Show 2019. It aims to have vehicles in daily operation by the year 2020. All activities will be conducted with a view toward fully fledged commercialisation of fully electric and autonomous trucks by 2030.