Applied EV introduces autonomous-only logistics vehicle

Suzuki will be key OEM partner for Blanc Robot

Julian Broadbent

Julian Broadbent

Applied EV, a specialist in vehicle control system technologies, has launched the Blanc Robot, a vehicle designed for autonomous-only operations.

Manufactured with no cabin and a configurable table-top chassis for a variety of jobs, the Blanc Robot is designed to help solve global driver shortages in last mile logistics. It is also capable of operating in industrial applications where tasks by a traditional driver may be considered dull, dirty, difficult or dangerous.

Applied EV is ready to complete the assembly of the first 100 Blanc Robot vehicles, with all the body structures manufactured by Suzuki Motor Corporation, now shipped from Japan. This marks an important milestone towards mass production.

The 6th Generation Blanc Robot is based on an electrified version of Suzuki’s long wheelbase Jimny platform, significantly reducing production costs and enabling high volume production.

Applied AI says customers can expect double or triple shift up time from an autonomous Blanc Robot, improving economics and significantly reducing carbon emissions across large scale operations.

All functions and features on the Applied EV Blanc Robot are software controlled including three Applied EV secure interfaces, Applied EV Drive API (autonomous and AI driving software), Applied EV App Space API (non-driving vehicle functions) and Applied EV Cloud API (secure data and diagnostics for 3rd party applications).

Applied EV’s CEO Julian Broadbent says: “The market for autonomous vehicles is reaching an inflection point, says Applied EV. Technologies across the entire value chain have advanced significantly and there is a growing mainstream acceptance of autonomous vehicles. Business models are also evolving, shifting from limited specialised deployments to autonomous fleets that provide a lower cost base and higher efficiency. Applied EV is likely the first to create a clear path to commercialisation with safety rated vehicles that can be mass produced.

“Applied EV is proud to reveal the 6th Generation Blanc Robot in partnership with Suzuki Motor Corporation and believe this is a pivotal milestone for the evolution and scaling of non-passenger autonomous vehicles.

“The demand for autonomous vehicle fleets that integrate seamlessly into both emerging logistics companies and established enterprises has never been stronger.  While transportation businesses are eager to adopt cutting-edge technologies, they require complete, real and actual ‘solutions’ to drive meaningful implementation at scale. Applied EV, in collaboration with our partners, has addressed this challenge with a turnkey solution. Powered by software, our vehicles come in a range of sizes and can be tailored for unique autonomous driving applications.

“The Blanc Robot marks the first purpose-built autonomous vehicle released for scale, produced by Suzuki in Japan and running on Applied EV software. The first 100 production units are underway in Australia, with the capacity to scale to tens of thousands to meet demand.”

Headquartered in Australia, Applied EV has built a global business across Europe, Asia, and Oceania, with world-class capabilities. Working with category-defining customers and partners such as Suzuki, NXP and Toshiba, Applied EV integrates Digital Backbone technology into a range of vehicles of many sizes, for applications addressing logistics, agriculture and mining.

Applied EV's core product, Digital Backbone, is a software & electronic centralised control system, setting a new benchmark for safety rated vehicles that operate faultlessly around people and the environment.
Built on Applied EV’s proprietary software and supporting hardware, Digital Backbone allows for rapid software application development, engineering, and configuration, by providing a programmable API (Application Programming Interface), within a SDK (Software Development Kit).
Applied EV has achieved ISO 9001, ISO/SAE 21434 and IEC62443 standards, alongside a preliminary audit by TÜV SÜD outlining a roadmap to ISO 26262 certification and mass production.