Driverless trucks are rolling in Texas, ushering in new era

Drivers along a 200-mile stretch of I-45 between Dallas and Houston should get ready for something new: The semi-truck in the next lane might not have anyone in the driver’s seat.

Why it matters: Autonomous trucking companies have been testing their fleets on Texas highways for several years, but always with backup safety drivers in the cab.

  • Now, one company, Aurora Innovation, says it plans to go completely driverless at the end of the month, a key milestone that promises to reshape the trucking industry.

Driving the news: After years of development, Pittsburgh-based Aurora is launching commercial driverless operations this month on a popular freight route between Dallas and Houston.

  • The first autonomous truck is expected to roll down I-45 in the coming days, although Aurora officials declined to share any details.
  • The company has said it will begin slowly, with one truck, and will gradually expand the fleet over time.

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