Autonomous semi-trucks are already operating on Texas roads, with companies aiming for widespread deployment by 2027, according to a recent report. Aurora Innovation's driverless systems have completed unassisted runs between Dallas and Houston, totalling 1,200 miles, hauling berries for Driscoll's and mining freight for Detmar Logistics.
Aurora CEO Chris Urmson told the New York Times that the company plans to expand from a handful of autonomous trucks to over 200 by the end of this year, and thousands by 2027. However, truck manufacturer Paccar has requested that safety drivers be reinstated in Aurora's trucks for now, though Aurora hopes to return to fully autonomous operation later this year.
Kodiak AI is another key player, powering ten trucks owned by Atlas Energy Solutions that haul industrial sand on rural roads. CEO Don Burnette expects driverless long-haul deliveries to begin in the second half of 2027. The push towards autonomy is driven by potential cost savings, as driver salaries account for 26% of per-mile operating costs in the $900 billion US freight industry.
Safety concerns persist, however. The Teamsters union has opposed driverless vehicles, citing crashes and failures in autonomous technology. Issues such as 'phantom braking'—where trucks brake suddenly without cause—have been reported, with no clear solution on the horizon, according to former NHTSA adviser Missy Cummings.
