Driverless Truck Companies to Eliminate Human Co-Pilots in Texas by 2024

A Peterbilt tractor equipped with Aurora Innovation’s self-driving system. (AP)

Driverless trucks are set to start cruising Texas highways without any human drivers on board. This step is being taken by startup companies such as Aurora Innovation, Kodiak Robotics, and Gatik AI, all of which have conducted years of testing and are confident in their ability to remove safety drivers from trucks. These trucks are guided by software and a variety of sensors, including cameras, radar, and lidar. The technology has already been used to transport cargo for leading companies including Walmart, Kroger, FedEx, and Tyson Foods.

Chris Urmson, co-founder and CEO of Aurora, stated that they anticipate operating the trucks without drivers onboard by the end of the year. However, detractors are concerned about the lack of regulation and transparency in this sector. Despite these concerns, the technology intends to lower transportation costs and improve highway safety. This comes at a time when the trucking industry has been facing increasing challenges around the shortage of truck drivers and road safety issues.

In efforts to address these concerns, the companies are focused on increasing safety while seeking regulatory approval. This is crucial considering the risks involved, given that driverless trucks will be traveling at highway speeds and carrying a significant amount of weight. However, the companies argue that cruising on highways presents less interaction with other vehicles and pedestrians than actively maneuvering through city streets.

Most strikingly, the introduction of driverless trucks could lead to economic and environmental benefits. By minimizing truck driver pay and reducing emissions, these trucks have the potential to revolutionize the transportation industry. Furthermore, with human drivers not guaranteeing safe operations, the implementation of self-driving truck technology has the potential to address the significant concerns around fatalities involving large trucks.

Looking ahead, these companies are ready to deploy their technologies, with Aurora targeting to operate driverless trucks by the end of 2024. However, any delay in these plans may raise concerns among investors. Nevertheless, the introduction of such technology has the potential to revolutionize the trucking industry and improve transportation infrastructure, offering an exciting perspective on the future of autonomous vehicles in the field of transportation and logistics.