Waymo Teams Up With JB Hunt to Test Autonomous Trucks in Texas
Waymo partners with logistics company JB Hunt to run autonomous freight trucks between Houston and Fort Worth. The expansion brings Alphabet's self-driving technology into direct competition with other automated trucking firms operating in Texas.
Waymo joins forces with transportation logistics company JB Hunt to move cargo using automated trucks in Texas. The initial route spans approximately 260 miles between Houston and Fort Worth along Interstate 45, which Waymo identifies as one of the most heavily utilized freight corridors in the United States. This partnership intensifies the competition in the autonomous trucking sector, following a recent successful test by rival company TuSimple.
Although the trucks carry human safety drivers and onboard software technicians, the automated system handles the bulk of the highway driving. Waymo operates these 18-wheelers out of a Dallas hub established last August, equipping the fleet with cameras, lidar, and onboard computers to navigate the roads safely.
Texas serves as an ideal testing ground for driverless technology due to its mild climate, expansive highway network, and favorable state legislation that permits vehicles to operate without a driver. Waymo's driving system currently functions at Level 4 autonomy, meaning the vehicles operate independently within specific conditions and mapped geographic areas.