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Historically, autonomous vehicle companies have relied on up-to-date HD maps – typically provided by third parties – that guide a self-driving vehicles’ paths and actions. Often, these maps are outdated or don’t reflect real-time changes in the road, be it the result of construction, inclement weather, or other causes. Truck drivers know better than anyone the high frequency of road closures and highway work zones, which can require an attentive and response driver at all times.

The Embark Driver features Vision Map Fusion (VMF), Embark’s differentiated approach to mapping. It relies on a sensors-first architecture that analyzes and responds to real-time perception data. By using VMF to dynamically adapt to changes in the actual road environment rather than being constrained by a pre-mapped environment, the Embark Driver can traverse a broader set of situations on the road safely and more efficiently.

VMF is a cutting-edge solution for moving beyond the constraints of a map-reliant self-driving system, and illustrates how, by focusing exclusively of trucks, Embark is able to develop and deploy these innovative methods faster.

Like the best human drivers, the Embark Driver leverages maps and previous route experience, but stays adaptable to the dynamic road environment. Instead of simply following a static map, VMF uses Embark patent-pending, nonlinear-optimization techniques to update the map in real-time using detailed road geometry data from LiDAR and camera sensors.

The result is that the Embark Driver is able to detect and respond to new situations where the map may be outdated, such as a lane closure or newly-painted lane lines.

The image above shows a truck driven by the Embark Driver encountering a common highway occurrence: lanes have been repainted in a new location as a result of construction. Pre-construction lane lines are still visible on the road, while newly painted lines have shifted the lanes to the left by a significant degree.

The black and white example without fusion shows how a traditional approach of relying on HD maps would provide the truck with an inaccurate understanding of the road. The color example shows how the Embark Driver is using VMF to automatically update the map in real time as it travels down the road. Because of this, lane lines closer to the truck are highly accurate, while lane lines farther away still rely more heavily on the map until they are “healed” by VMF.

The EUI is a set of standardized self-driving components and the flexible interfaces necessary for major truck OEMs to more easily and robustly integrate Embark's autonomous technology onto their vehicle platforms.

The EUI achieves its universality through a two-part design. Part one consists of a standardized components package including sensors and the compute system. Through thousands of hours of design, testing, and analysis working with leading hardware developers, Embark has developed the optimal set of componentry to enable autonomous trucking by combining the latest in high-performance sensor/compute technology and proven, reliable components.

Between these standardized components and the truck is part two of the EUI design, a set of physical, electrical, and software interfaces that enable the standardized components package to connect to and communicate with any OEM platform's steering, braking, throttle, telematics, power, chassis, and HVAC.

At the center of the interface package is the Embark Gateway, an automotive-grade ECU developed by Embark to enable API communication between Embark's technology and any OEM platform.

Embark's exclusive focus on trucks and collaborative approach to the industry means we develop technology built for the reality of trucking. Over 90% of carriers in the US use trucks from two or more OEMs, and over 50% use trucks from three or more. Relationships with multiple OEMs are a key strategic choice for carriers, backed by significant carrier investment. Embark developed the EUI so that carriers will be able to adopt Embark technology across their fleet without modifying their fleet acquisition strategy to unlock self-driving capabilities.

The EUI sets Embark apart as the first autonomous developer to pursue integration with all four major U.S. truck OEMs. By focusing on the intersection of four platform specifications, instead of designing to one OEM platform, Embark is building the industry's first universal system that is intentionally designed to be responsive to carrier needs by integrating into any platform.

Embark has designed its system from the beginning to work across platforms, a decision that has required an immense amount of upfront investment and thoughtfulness around cross-platform trade-offs.

Embark intends to work with OEMs so that they can integrate Embark’s technology with their truck platforms, allowing them to sell new EUI-equipped trucks to carriers backed by the maintenance and warranty support carriers demand. Embark then would provide the software services to carriers to power these trucks.

Guardian is a cloud-based autonomous fleet management solution designed to give carriers control over dispatching and management of their autonomous fleet operations.

As fleets adopt Embark Driver software, Guardian will equip them with the tools they need to run their autonomous fleet efficiently. With features like 24/7 monitoring, load ETAs, remote assist capabilities, and intelligent dispatching against real-time weather, traffic, and construction data, Guardian is designed to complement existing TMS and fleet management software so critical fleet management processes are uninterrupted by the introduction of vehicle autonomy.

Long-haul trucks often traverse rural stretches of interstate with poor connectivity. Embark has developed its technology with this in mind, ensuring an Embark-powered truck contains all the hardware and software necessary for safe driving without relying on cloud connectivity. Guardian provides an additional layer of oversight and context to carriers operating Embark-powered trucks, combining traditional fleet management and telematics features with additional capabilities to support autonomous operation

Embark's Partner Development Program creates an opportunity for shippers and carriers to work directly with Embark's team to explore how Embark Driver, Embark Universal Interface, and Guardian can seamlessly integrate with existing logistics and fleet management operations. Reach out to learn more about Embark's Partner Development Program.