Autonomous semi-trucks are now running regular delivery routes between Dallas and Houston, Texas, in what is being described as a milestone for the freight industry.
Aurora Innovation, a U.S.-based technology company, confirmed that its Class 8 trucks, without a human driver onboard, are now delivering freight using its self-driving system, Aurora Driver.
The system uses radar, cameras, and a specialised lidar sensor capable of detecting obstacles up to 500 metres away. Aurora said the trucks can navigate merging lanes, construction zones, and other highway complexities without human intervention.
Before launching the service, the company logged over 3 million miles of testing with safety drivers and completed more than 10,000 deliveries.
Aurora is working with partners including Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor Lines to transport goods, including time-sensitive and refrigerated cargo.
The driverless routes are expected to expand to El Paso and Phoenix by the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised around regulation and public safety. The company has published a Driverless Safety Report and says it is complying with national transport guidelines in the United States.
The deployment of these trucks adds to ongoing global discussions about the role of automation in traditional industries and its implications for jobs and safety.
