XCMG has completely removed the cab from its new electric truck: it doesn’t require humans because it moves on its own and even goes to recharge itself.
31/10/2026 13:00
Updated to
31/10/2026 13:00
The electrification of heavy transportation is giving rise to increasingly remarkable vehicles. While traditional manufacturers work to replace diesel engines with electric propulsion systems, some Chinese companies are taking advantage of this transformation to completely rethink the design of their industrial vehicles. This is the case with XCMG, one of China’s major heavy machinery manufacturers, which has recently introduced an electric truck that requires no driver and thus doesn’t even have a cab.
The vehicle is called the XCMG SDA411, and although it is currently a prototype, it has been designed to carry out logistics operations autonomously. Its primary use will be transporting trailers within ports, freight terminals, and industrial facilities, where such vehicles constantly make short trips and perform precise maneuvers. The company has already posted a video on its official LinkedIn profile demonstrating some of its capabilities, including autonomous navigation, emergency braking, and traveling to a charging station.
A Level 4 electric truck that eliminates even the cab
The most striking feature of the SDA411 is the absence of a conventional cab. Unlike traditional trucks, which require space for the driver and all their controls, this prototype was designed from the start to operate without a person on board. This allows for a much more compact configuration, focused exclusively on its function of transporting trailers.
To achieve this, XCMG has incorporated a level 4 autonomous driving system. This classification means the vehicle can perform all driving tasks without human intervention, though only within the conditions and areas for which it was designed. In this case, its operation is intended for controlled logistics environments, not for free movement on any road open to traffic. The manufacturer explains that the SDA411 features a 360-degree perception system capable of analyzing everything around it.
Thanks to this technology, it can navigate autonomously, detect and avoid obstacles, carry out assigned tasks, and park without the need for direct operator intervention. Additionally, XCMG ensures that its system is ready to operate in demanding environments where other vehicles and machinery are moving simultaneously. This capability is particularly important in ports and logistics centers, where loading and unloading operations require sharing space with trucks, forklifts, and workers.
It is already capable of autonomous operation, though it still needs assistance to recharge
The company accompanied the presentation with a video filmed at its own facilities. The footage shows the SDA411 moving autonomously around the premises, performing various maneuvers, and stopping in situations that require an emergency brake. Another sequence demonstrates how the vehicle approaches a charging station. However, although the truck reaches the charger without a driver, it still needs a person to physically connect the cable. Thus, the autonomy demonstrated refers only to driving operations, not all the tasks required to keep it functioning.
On the other hand, choosing a fully electric mechanism also has its reasons. Terminal trucks typically cover relatively short distances, travel at low speeds, and need high torque to move heavy loads. These are particularly favorable characteristics for electric propulsion, which allows for immediate power delivery and eliminates exhaust emissions during operation.
There is still a lot of data missing about this electric and autonomous truck
So far, XCMG has not released any data regarding the power of its engines, battery capacity, range, or the maximum load the SDA411 can carry. It has also not announced a specific date for mass production. The company already has experience with electric and autonomous heavy machinery, including mining trucks and industrial vehicles equipped with battery swap systems.
The SDA411 represents a new step in this direction, though it still needs to prove its performance in real-world commercial operations. Beyond its unique design, this prototype signals a significant transformation for freight transportation in enclosed areas. Rather than simply electrifying conventional trucks, manufacturers like XCMG are developing machines capable of operating without a driver and designing their entire architecture around that function.