Autonomous truck startup Mars Auto and global logistics company LX Pantos are targeting the North American autonomous logistics market by expanding their transcontinental autonomous cargo transport routes across the United States into a round-trip system. Mars Auto and LX Pantos announced on the 19th that they have established a round-trip route transporting Hyundai Mobis automotive parts on the route from the West Coast to the East Coast, and construction materials from domestic manufacturing companies on the return trip from the East Coast to the West Coast. Through this collaboration, the two companies have expanded their autonomous cargo transport routes from the existing one-way length of approximately 3,500 km to over 7,000 km round trip. It is evaluated that they have simultaneously secured operational efficiency and economic viability by connecting the transcontinental autonomous routes across the United States—which were previously considered the longest in the world—into a round-trip system. Reducing tolerances and preparing for legislation… Strengthening competitiveness for commercialization in North America The core of this project is to improve the empty transport rate by securing return cargo. Generally, the average empty freight rate in the U.S. freight industry is known to be around 16.7%. However, by securing return cargo from the East Coast, the two companies lowered the empty freight rate to approximately 5%. This is one-third of the U.S. industry average and is expected to serve as a factor in increasing the profitability and operational efficiency of the autonomous logistics business. Both companies plan to proactively respond to the legislative moves toward the commercialization of autonomous trucks in the United States. Recently, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced the 'BUILD America 250 Act,' which includes provisions for the commercialization of autonomous trucks, and the establishment of related regulations is gaining momentum. Mars Auto operates a long-distance freight