First Intelligent Truck in China Jointly Developed by FAW and Plus Passes Rigorous National Certification Test in Preparation for Mass Production in 2021

The FAW J7+ is the First Automated Truck to Pass the Certification Test

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Plus (www.plus.ai), the leading provider of self-driving truck technology, announced today that China’s first intelligent truck, FAW J7+, powered by the self-driving technology of Plus, has successfully passed the national certification test at the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC). FAW J7+ has met all key safety and performance metrics to start on-road operation. This is China’s first independent certification of an automated truck, marking an important milestone for the commercialization of automated heavy-duty trucks in China.

The CATARC is the largest and one of the most advanced third-party automotive testing facilities and proving grounds in Asia. The facility team has deep expertise in automotive testing, vehicle forensic authentication, quality system certification and training, and more. The certification test that the FAW J7+ automated truck passed was based on China’s strict highway and transportation standards and rules, including JT/T 883-2014, GB/T 26773-2011, and GB/T 33577-2017.

“I’m proud of our team for achieving this significant milestone,” said Shawn Kerrigan, COO and co-founder, Plus. “As the result of years of intense technology development and collaboration with leading technology suppliers, Plus now has a best-in-class product that meets the stringent requirements of a commercial self-driving system.”

To facilitate its commercial deployment, Plus has established a tight ecosystem of partners to mass produce factory-built automated trucks. In 2018, Plus entered into a strategic partnership with FAW Jiefang and joined its “Colombo Smart Transportation” program. A year later, Plus formed a joint venture with FAW to focus on the development of automated trucks. The jointly developed FAW J7+ intelligent truck will start mass production in the first half year of 2021.

About Plus

Plus is a world leader in self-driving truck technology. Headquartered in Cupertino, CA, the heart of Silicon Valley, the company was founded in 2016 by a group of serial entrepreneurs and industry veterans, each with over 20 years of experience in high tech and artificial intelligence. Plus specializes in providing full-stack self-driving technology to enable large scale autonomous commercial transport. Plus is currently working with some of the leading truck manufacturers, largest shippers, and top fleet operators to begin mass production of its automated driving system.