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Suzano and Lume Robotics have partnered to develop and test the first autonomous electric truck without a cabin in Latin America. This groundbreaking initiative, funded by a US$600,000 contract with Finep, aims to revolutionize logistics and transportation at Suzano’s port terminals.
Key Highlights:
- Lume Robotics and Suzano form a partnership to test autonomous electric trucks.
- Funded by a US$600,000 contract with Finep.
- Truck to operate without a human driver, utilizing advanced AI and robotics.
- Expected to transport 64 tons of pulp per cycle, covering 4 kilometers per trip.
- Pilot operations to begin by 2028.
The project aims to integrate Industry 4.0 concepts such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and electric mobility. The Lume Autonomous Mobility System will allow the vehicle to operate without human intervention, generating detailed maps, precisely locating itself in real-time, and navigating autonomously while avoiding obstacles and responding dynamically to traffic environments.
“This project was selected by Finep among 126 others due to the disruptive potential of the solution in eliminating driver exposure to hazardous areas, maximizing operational efficiency, reducing costs and emissions, and improving logistics management and operations,” says Rânik Guidolini, Executive Director of Lume.
The solution will be implemented and validated in a real operation at Suzano’s port terminal, transporting 64 tons of pulp per cycle over a distance of approximately 4 kilometers, making about 50 trips per day. The autonomous electric truck is expected to be ready by 2027, with test operations beginning by 2028.
“We are very excited and eager for this partnership. This initiative aligns with Suzano’s strategy, which for 100 years has been constantly seeking increasingly innovative and sustainable solutions for our operations. Finding partners who share the same purpose further reinforces the company’s commitment to efficiency, innovation, and sustainability,” says Beatriz Nalevaiko Venturini, Operational Excellence Manager at Suzano.
Lume Robotics’ innovation positions Brazil among the select group of countries mastering autonomous mobility technology. According to a Strategy Analytics study, the autonomous mobility market will be worth about $800 billion by 2035 and more than $7 trillion by 2050. This growth underscores the transformative potential of autonomous mobility globally.
About Lume Robotics
Founded in 2019 by researchers from UFES’s IARA Project, Lume Robotics specializes in advanced technologies for autonomous vehicles, probabilistic robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and deep learning. The company developed the Lume Autonomous Mobility System, converting various types of vehicles into fully autonomous units. Learn more at www.lumerobotics.ai.
About FINEP
FINEP, linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovations, promotes Brazil’s economic and social development by fostering science, technology, and innovation. FINEP offers financing, venture capital, and direct support for R&D&I programs in companies, universities, and research centers. Learn more at www.finep.gov.br.
About Suzano
Suzano, the world’s largest producer of pulp and a leader in Latin America’s paper industry, provides sustainable solutions from renewable raw materials. Suzano’s products reach over 2 billion people in more than 100 countries. Learn more at www.suzano.com.br.
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