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2026
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What will future trucks look like? Proton's Yao Ling II shows you
Looking back over the past few years, artificial intelligence has moved from the lab into our daily lives, and smart driving has gradually gone from science fiction to reality. The development of science and technology keeps changing our lives, so what will transportation look like in the future?
In this fast-changing era, concept cars are no longer just a showcase of the capabilities of major automakers—they’re also exploring and planning the possibilities for the future of logistics and transportation.
The Proton Iriz II is exactly this kind of car—it’s not just about solving current transportation issues; it’s trying to outline what next-generation backbone logistics could look like.
▎Tackling Industry Pain Points: Efficient Back-Car Transport
The YaoLing II smart unmanned transport vehicle showcased at the Proton Motors 2026 Partners Conference isn’t a production model about to hit the market, but rather a concept that carries Proton Motors’ vision for the future of mainline logistics.
First of all, it completely breaks our conventional understanding of trucks. The cab is removed, and with autonomous driving technology and intelligent scheduling, the driver only needs to act as a safety officer to ensure operational safety, while also reducing overall operating costs.
Secondly, even though it's a concept car, it fully understands the characteristics of a 'truck/utility vehicle' and aims to 'carry more and earn more,' addressing end-user pain points. The Yaoling II uses a mid-axle train structure, boosting its cargo capacity by 38%, so it can haul more and make more money in a single trip.
In addition, to reduce empty trips and waiting time for cargo on the return journey, after YaoLing II is fully loaded on the outbound trip, the enclosed swappable cargo boxes can be unloaded, allowing it to carry two small vehicles back, improving vehicle utilization and reducing empty running losses. YaoLing II can serve as a mother vehicle carrying two small vehicles back, and through the coordinated intelligent adjustment of dynamic air deflectors, movable supports, and air suspension, it greatly enhances vehicle utilization while staying within regulations.
▎Smart Empowerment: L4 Autonomous Driving, Hydrogen Power
In terms of power and smart features, the Yaoling II is also looking toward the future. It uses a hydrogen fuel cell setup, with a 4x2 drive layout and hydrogen as the energy source. The hydrogen tanks hold 550L each, and the fuel cell system produces 240kW, paired with a 58.73kWh battery, making zero-carbon long-distance freight transport feasible.
When it comes to the question of 'Which technology path will the future heavy truck market take?', Proton Auto's answer is 'pure electric and hydrogen fuel.' In fact, Proton Auto's current mass-produced products are also mainly focused on these two technology paths.
For the power setup, it's paired with an 11.5-ton electric drive axle, with a rated power of 120kW and a peak power of 220kW, a rated torque of 250N·m and a peak torque of 520N·m, front air suspension, and rear composite air suspension.
Compared to today's mass-produced vehicles, the Yaoling II stands out with features like dynamic air guiding panels, movable brackets, and a sealed, swappable cargo box, allowing for efficient back-and-forth vehicle transport.
▎ Maximizing Returns: The Core Value of Yaoling II
It is based on the core concept of “Best Asset Returns (BAR),” which has always been advocated by Proton Motors, painting a picture of more efficient, economical, and smarter freight operations for us. In today's long-haul logistics sector, cost and efficiency remain the main challenges for operators.
The solution proposed by Yaoling II is systematic: it reduces car purchase costs by about 30% through platform-based design, achieves unmanned operations with L4-level autonomous driving, cutting overall operating costs by roughly 36%, and boosts cargo capacity by 38% thanks to its mid-axle train structure.
It shows us a possible future of freight life: vehicles scheduling themselves, optimizing routes on their own, reusing resources during transport breaks through a ‘piggyback’ mode, refueling or recharging quickly and cleanly, with the entire logistics chain seamlessly connected under digital and intelligent management—smarter and more cost-efficient.
Of course, as a concept vehicle, the true significance of the Yaoling II isn’t about hitting the road right away, but about raising questions and exploring directions. It reminds us that the future of freight isn’t just about upgrading power or cabin design—it might involve rethinking the whole operational logic, vehicle forms, and even the entire industry ecosystem.
▎Conclusion:
What will the logistics industry look like in the future? Through this vehicle, Proton Motors conveys a hope: that future logistics should be smarter, more collaborative, and more focused on the essence of business—continuously creating value for customers.
In today’s world of rapid technological iteration and continuous evolution in the logistics sector, concept explorations like the Yaoling II are especially valuable. Proton Motors isn’t limiting itself to the current 'sales data'; it’s looking ahead. The Yaoling II addresses today’s pain points while also embracing what might come tomorrow.
Perhaps in the near future, when autonomous driving matures, hydrogen infrastructure becomes widespread, and regulations and models keep innovating, what we’re calling a 'concept' today will quietly become part of everyday freight life, subtly changing the way logistics operate and flow.
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