The robotic convoy project aims to provide a robust method for a single driver to control a line of vehicles. In a robotic convoy, all the vehicles follow autonomously in the tracks of the first vehicle, without data transmission between trucks, and without GPS positioning.

To accomplish this, each truck is fitted with a special self-retracting tether reel on its front bumper. The tether line is then attached to the back of the truck ahead. By tracking the length of the line and its angle, the reel gives the truck's control unit information about the distance and direction to the truck ahead. Using this, the control unit can calculate the path of the vehicle directly ahead, and follow it. This lets the convoy drive like a train on a track, rather than a line of trailers. Unlike a train, each truck is independently powered, and each maintains a safe following distance based on the speed of the convoy.

Convoys of this type would put fewer drivers at risk in dangerous areas by allowing one driver to lead a whole convoy of trucks. The tether system makes the convoy immune to radio jamming and interference, and doesn't rely on GPS signals that are frequently not available. If a truck in the middle of the convoy is disabled, it can be quickly removed from the chain, and the convoy can continue. Since all the trucks remain manually driveable, any one of them (or any other vehicle, unmanned or not) can function as a lead vehicle.

The project is currently in development and testing. A prototype tether and automation system has been installed on a five ton, six wheel drive truck, and is functioning as designed. The video below shows the system in action over various types of terrain. The leader vehicle, which can be almost anything, is a small utility vehicle. Though it isn't visible in the video, the tether is attached to the utility vehicle's trailer hitch. A radio emergency stop system is in place so the truck can be stopped from the leader vehicle if something goes wrong, but the only thing guiding the truck is a piece of string.

Testing with multiple unmanned trucks is the obvious next step. Future development may also integrate the emergency stop system into the tether, and possibly send data over the cable allowing the lead vehicle to be controlled from another vehicle. This would provide added safety to the driver, as the lead vehicle in a convoy often comes under attack first.