Aurora innovation, a autonomous vehicle technology company, has expanded its self driving freight pilot with FedEx, including a new lane from Fort Worth to El Paso, Texas Since September 2021, the startup has been transporting goods for FedEx between Dallas and Houston, a 240 mile journey that takes place every night.
According to the company, the new lane poses a greater challenge to Aurora's trucks, which will travel about 600 miles a week.
Texas has become a battleground for independent freight companies seeking commercialization, and competitors waymo via, Kodiak robotics and tusimple have also piloted their vehicles on many of the same highways.
The company said Aurora had been transporting goods between its new terminals in Fort Worth and El Paso since March. According to Aurora, 100% of the goods transported on the first commercial Lane between Dallas and Houston were delivered on time. The company also pointed out that it has provided self transported packages to thousands of FedEx customers.
It is understood that Aurora's truck is based on the new Peterbilt 579, which can operate under various weather conditions and at all times of the day and night. According to Aurora, Aurora and FedEx have completed a total of 60000 miles so far, with zero safety accidents.
"Some time ago, someone asked me why the general public should care about autonomous truck transportation. That's why. In the six months of working with FedEx, we have delivered packages safely, reliably and efficiently for thousands of FedEx customers," Aurora co-founder and CEO Sterling Anderson said in a statement, "The expansion of this lane is ahead of schedule, and we are happy to continue to build the future of truck transportation with one of the largest and most important transportation companies in the country."