Beijing TrunkTech

About Beijing TrunkTech

Beijing TrunkTech, established in June 2017, is a technology company specializing in Level 4 autonomous driving systems for the logistics sector. The company was founded by CEO Zhang Tianlei, who holds a Ph.D. from Tsinghua University's computer science department and previously co-founded Baidu's self-driving car team. His extensive background in AI and autonomous systems, including a tenure at Microsoft Research Asia, underpins the company's strategic direction. From its inception, TrunkTech has focused on a phased commercialization strategy, beginning with controlled environments like ports before expanding to more complex scenarios such as highways.

TrunkTech develops and provides full-stack autonomous driving hardware and software solutions, targeting clients in port logistics, mining operations, and highway freight. The company's business model revolves around providing autonomous trucks and comprehensive operational services to logistics companies and port operators. Revenue is generated through the sale of these specialized vehicles and ongoing service contracts. This approach addresses the dual challenges of rising labor costs and a shortage of qualified drivers in the logistics industry, while also aiming to increase fuel efficiency by 3-10%. Clients include major logistics players like JD Logistics, Deppon Express, and SF Express, as well as port operators such as Tianjin Port and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port.

The core of the company's offering is its proprietary "Trunk Master" L4 autonomous system, which integrates perception, decision-making, and planning modules. TrunkTech has collaborated with leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, including FAW Jiefang and Sinotruk, to produce several models of self-driving trucks, including both traditional fuel and electric versions. A key milestone was the launch of commercial operations without onboard safety drivers at Tianjin Port, demonstrating the system's reliability in real-world conditions. The company has delivered over 300 autonomous trucks to various port projects and its highway logistics fleet has surpassed 20 million kilometers in operational mileage. This demonstrates a tangible application of their technology in solving logistical challenges and improving operational efficiency.