Program paves the way for a future pilot with fully autonomous trucks.

Santa Clara, Calif., May 2025 – Plus, an AI-first autonomous trucking software company, recently successfully completed the testing of its pioneering technology with DSV, dm, and IVECO. A multi-month project to test semi-autonomous trucks jointly developed by Plus and IVECO was concluded with a real-world test. The project results demonstrated the key benefits of autonomous trucking technology — improved safety, efficiency and fuel economy.

The partners recently completed the testing of an IVECO truck integrated with Plus's semi-autonomous driver assistance solution in Krefeld, Germany. It was the first road test of this technology in Germany. After several months of extensive testing and validation of the technology and driver training, the semi-autonomous solution was ready for public road testing. Goods were delivered under real-world conditions on the route between two warehouses in Krefeld and Hennef.

Shawn Kerrigan, COO and co-founder of Plus, said: "We are proud to celebrate with our innovative partners DSV, dm and IVECO the completion of the pilot, with the safety and efficiency results made possible by our autonomous driving technology. It is even more fitting to do it in Germany, a country which has embraced the benefits of autonomous vehicles. We are excited to bring to market factory-produced self-driving trucks with Plus' transformative self-driving technology, starting in the US and then in Europe."

"The focus is on depot-to-depot operations, as the technology is perfectly suited for recurring processes where sufficient data is available," says Peter Matthiesen, Senior Director, Group Innovation, Mobility & Truck Technology at DSV.

"dm-drogerie markt has been working together with DSV on sustainable and innovative supply chains for decades. We were therefore very happy to support this pilot project. We are also looking forward to working together on forward-looking technology like this in the future," adds Ursula Paepcke, Head of TKM in the Logistics division of the drugstore retailer dm-drogerie markt, explaining the reasons for participating in the project.

The pilot project confirmed the expected findings and assumptions, especially regarding improved safety and reliability. The autonomous driving system consistently demonstrated safe driving behavior, particularly in lane keeping, lane changing, adaptive driving, and dealing with predictable traffic situations.

"It is incredibly valuable for dm, the project stakeholders to understand and see through practical experience how highly automated trucks jointly developed by IVECO and Plus can improve safety, efficiency and fuel consumption. We look forward to the commercial availability of these highly innovative vehicles," says Matthiesen.

One reason for the test: "We want to attract drivers to the elevated role, as there is a driver shortage of almost 200,000 in Europe, which is expected to rise to 700,000 by 2028. Autonomous driving technology will significantly improve the working environment, reduce mental and physical fatigue, increase safety, and enable a significantly more diverse driver pool," adds Matthiesen.

The semi-autonomous solution truck was developed jointly by leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, IVECO, and Silicon Valley-based self-driving software company, Plus. Equipped with Plus' AI-based highly automated driving solution together with advanced sensors such as lidar, radar, and cameras, this IVECO S-Way truck offers the driver a 360 degree view around the vehicle and new ways to monitor traffic and the road, increasing safety and comfort. Plus' autonomous driving technology can safely and automatically perform normal highway driving maneuvers, including lane centering, driver-initiated or system-suggested lane changes, traffic jam assistance, and nudging, with the driver monitoring the system. It can also reduce fuel consumption by approximately 10 percent and thus lower emissions.