GM Surus autonomous commercial vehicle platform
General Motors
The variable platform is to serve as the basis for a commercial vehicle family of the future and can be used both for civilian and military applications. The drive has been integrated into the chassis, which is based on a truck. A driver’s cab is not necessary, but it can be optionally attached.
The autonomous transport vehicle is equipped with GM’s current Gen2 fuel cell system. Two electric motors are mounted at the respective ends of the platform. The hydrogen tank, together with the lithium-ion batteries, is said to provide a range of just over 640 kilometres. Four-wheel steering and four-wheel drive make the Surus suitable for off-road use.
GM Surus is suitable for military applications
The military, in particular, is interested in silent and autonomous propulsion. The US Army is already testing this in a Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 under the direction of the Unites States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). Military tests are said to have shown that the ZH2 can get ten times closer to objects before being detected.