The Rise of Autonomous Trucks: Hub-to-Hub Logistics, Agentic AI, and 24/7 Freight Operations The global freight industry is undergoing a profound paradigm shift, moving rapidly beyond basic vehicle telemetry toward full autonomous orchestration. Historically, fleet connectivity simply meant logging vehicle locations and basic engine diagnostics. Today, a convergence of Agentic AI, Level 4 (L4) autonomous software, edge computing, and cloud platforms is enabling trucks to make complex operational decisions with minimal human intervention. Driven by persistent commercial driver shortages, rising labor costs, and intense pressure to maximize asset utilization, the industry objective has evolved: it is no longer just about removing the driver from the cab, but entirely redesigning freight around continuous, data-driven vehicle efficiency. Hub-to-Hub Logistics: The Middle-Mile Automation Strategy The most commercially viable pathway toward widespread autonomous trucking is emerging through hub-to-hub, or middle-mile, automation. Rather than navigating unpredictable city streets immediately, fleets are deploying SAE Level 4 (L4) trucks on highly predictable long-haul highway corridors between designated terminals. This practical approach leaves complex first-mile and last-mile urban operations to human drivers, who can safely manage pedestrians, intersections, construction zones, and other unpredictable operating conditions. How a Typical Autonomous Freight Network Operates - First-Mile: A human driver transports a loaded trailer from the shipper to an autonomous freight hub. - Middle-Mile: The trailer is transferred to an L4 robotruck to complete the long-haul highway segment autonomously. - Last-Mile: At the destination hub, a human driver takes over the trailer for local, complex city delivery. - Orchestration: Integrated fleet software continuously coordinates dispatching, routing, charging, and terminal capacity. L4 Autonomy and the Rise of the "Robotruck" Under the SAE automation framework, Level 4 autonomy dictates that the automated driving system can perform all driving tasks without requiring a human to take over, strictly within a defined Operational Design Domain
Aug 20, 2026 · via marketsandmarkets.com
Einride reported Tuesday a first-half revenue of SEK 273 million ($27 million), up 26% year over year on a constant-currency basis. It was the Swedish company’s first earnings release since its June 10 Nasdaq listing. Management expects growth to accelerate to between 60% and 73% in the second half. The company is pairing that outlook with two new partnerships. Six days before the earnings, Einride announced a joint initiative with DAF Trucks to integrate its autonomous driving system into DAF’s electric truck platform. It also disclosed plans to deploy 500 Tesla Semi trucks on its Saga AI platform, financed through third-party structures. That single deal would triple the current fleet of roughly 250 vehicles to about 750. Fleet path and third-party financing Einride is targeting cash-flow breakeven in 2028 with between 1,500 and 2,000 trucks in operation. Roughly $800 million of potential long-term annual recurring revenue sits in joint business plans with customers. “We are scaling with capital discipline. By financing fleet growth through asset-backed structures, we’re able to convert signed demand into operating revenue faster while minimizing dilution for our shareholders and executing towards our target to reach cash flow breakeven point in 2028,” said Anubhav Verma, chief financial officer. Net loss widened to SEK 1.12 billion from SEK 887 million a year earlier. Non-cash charges accounted for most of the increase, including a SEK 636 million recapitalization expense tied to the business combination and a SEK 245 million share-based compensation charge related to the listing. Cash stood at SEK 748 million ($77 million) as of June 30. The listing and business combination with Legato Merger Corp. III included an oversubscribed $113 million PIPE financing earmarked for expanding Saga AI coverage and accelerating deployments. The transaction valued Einride at a pre-money equity value of about $1.35 billion, according to
Aug 20, 2026 · via freightwaves.com
The cheesesteak is as much a part of Philadelphia lore as the Liberty Bell, Rocky Balboa running up the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Benjamin Franklin and Robert Indiana’s Love sculpture. “Philly is a sandwich city,” food blogger and Delicious City podcast co-host David Wesolowski told Newsweek. For proof, look no further than the corner of Wharton and 9th Streets where Pat’s King of Steaks is still going strong nearly 100 years after it opened. “Pat's cheesesteak is the original. Even though people call them touristy, they still have their place in the conversation because without Pat's cheesesteaks, there would be no cheesesteak,” Wesolowski explained. He continued: “There's been a renaissance of cheesesteaks as of late. If you are a Philadelphia native, you just go to your regular cheesesteak shop that's down on the corner at the mommy poppy store [where] you can get a cheesesteak under $10. But now we're seeing a rise of almost a $20 cheesesteaks- that’s an elevated cheesesteak.” That renaissance was kicked off in earnest when Cooper Sharp cheese, a highly meltable, processed American cheese beloved by Philadelphians since the early 1900s, was introduced to the cheesesteak equation. It’s debatable which was the first restaurant to use the cheese, but it is clear who made it popular: Danny DiGiampietro. “Danny is I the originator of the cheesesteak renaissance. He was the one who decided that he’s going to bake his own bread, use high-quality meat, use Cooper Sharp,” Wesolowski said. “It's an excellent product.” DiGiampietro owns Angelo’s Pizzeria, which holds a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmond designation. The honor highlights Michelin Guide inspectors' favorite restaurants that deliver great-quality food at moderate or affordable prices. "Angelo's reputation has always been built on quality. We bake our bread fresh every day and use freshly cut ribeye
Aug 20, 2026 · via newsweek.com
Aurora Innovation NASDAQ: AUR executives said the company expects to reach at least 200 commercially operating, fully driverless trucks on public roads in 2026, supported by contracted capacity and growing customer demand for its Driver-as-a-Service offering. During a town hall with retail investors, CEO and Chairman Chris Urmson and CFO Dave Maday discussed Aurora’s technology position, production plans, financing approach, customer adoption and operational expansion. The company said it would not provide financial outlook beyond its previously issued 2026 guidance. Technology and competitive position Urmson said advances in artificial intelligence are helping Aurora’s business but argued that AI alone does not solve the challenge of deploying autonomous technology in safety-critical trucking applications. “There’s a big gap between a demo you could vibe code together” and industrializing autonomous driving for an 80,000-pound vehicle traveling at highway speeds, Urmson said. He pointed to Aurora’s investments in three generations of hardware, its supply-chain relationships, customer network and operating experience as elements of a defensible competitive advantage. Urmson said Aurora is currently the only company operating driverless trucks on public roads and believes its first-mover position will compound as customers gain experience with the Aurora Driver. He said the company expects its technology to continue improving in areas including dynamic rerouting, operating efficiency, weather capability and fleet availability. Aurora expects to operate in light snow and colder weather by the end of the year, Urmson said. For severe conditions such as flooding, black ice or heavy storms, he said the system continuously monitors its environment and can slow down, seek a safe location, pull over or stop when appropriate. Aurora also uses a command-center function to proactively avoid routes affected by significant weather events, according to Urmson. Production capacity and route growth Maday said Aurora is fully contracted to support its 2026 target of
Aug 20, 2026 · via marketbeat.com
Aurora Innovation (AUR) Investor update summary Event summary combining transcript, slides, and related documents. Investor update summary 20 Aug, 2026 Competitive positioning and technology moat - Maintains a defensible moat through years of hardware investment, supply chain know-how, and a growing customer ecosystem. - Only company currently running driverless trucks on public roads, compounding daily operational learning. - AI advances are leveraged but industrializing safety-critical systems requires more than rapid model development. Financial outlook and liquidity - $1.2 billion in liquidity is expected to support operations through positive free cash flow by 2028. - ATM program usage is limited to covering tax liabilities and bonuses in 2027, with opportunistic use otherwise. - Continuously evaluating financing options, with a focus on maintaining a strong cash balance. Commercialization and customer adoption - Revenue-generating contracts are already in place, with growing customer fleets and strong demand. - Fully allocated for 2024, with continued demand for Driver-as-a-Service (DaaS) model. - Hirschbach plans to purchase 500 trucks in 2027-2028; additional large enterprise DaaS commitments are being negotiated. Latest events from Aurora Innovation - Scaling autonomous trucking with 200+ driverless trucks and $80M revenue run-rate by 2026.AURInvestor presentation - Q2 2026 revenue doubled to $2M, $1.2B liquidity, and 200 driverless trucks targeted for 2026.AURQ2 2026 - Driverless trucking expands rapidly, targeting $80M run rate with over 200 trucks by end of 2026.AUR47th Annual Raymond James Institutional Investor Conference - Driverless trucking is scaling rapidly, targeting $80M revenue and broad U.S. expansion by year-end.AURMorgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference 2026 - Autonomous trucking leader targets breakeven in 2026 with rapid scaling and DaaS transition.AURInvestor presentation - Over 200 driverless trucks and 400% revenue growth projected for 2026, backed by $1.28B liquidity.AURQ1 2026 - Achieved 250,000+ driverless miles, $1.46B liquidity, and targets 200+ trucks by end of
Aug 20, 2026 · via quartr.com
If it were up to the Teamsters, they would have us all in Flintstone cars. Teamsters California filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with the goal of overturning the decision to allow autonomous heavy-duty trucks on the state’s roads. The suit argues that self-driving trucks threaten more than 200,000 trucking jobs and asks the court to stop them from taking effect. Earlier this year, the DMV updated its autonomous vehicle regulation to permit testing and eventual commercial operation of trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds. The Teamsters claim the agency used an abbreviated rulemaking process reserved for minor changes and failed to conduct a full economic impact study. They further allege the DMV wrongly concluded the rules would eliminate zero jobs. This lawsuit is a clear example of rent seeking. Rather than competing on the merits in the free market, the union is attempting to use the courts to protect the status quo. The Teamsters have also argued that autonomous trucks pose an even greater safety risk than smaller self-driving cars. However, human error remains a leading cause of truck crashes. Current examples of autonomous vehicles also demonstrate that they are much safer. For example, Waymo cars had 88% fewer property-damage claims and 92% fewer bodily-injury claims when compared to human-driven vehicles. The data make sense. Human drivers can get drunk, drowsy, and/or distracted, putting them at greater risk of an accident. By contrast, an autonomous vehicle does not face those impediments, making it safer. Furthermore, the longer autonomous trucks are deployed, the better they become at processing more data and responding more effectively. In the same way that the more a human drives the better a driver they become, autonomous vehicles operate under the same framework. Blocking this progress will make autonomous vehicles worse
Aug 20, 2026 · via atr.org
Find us on Google 📌
America's birthday 🎂
Start the day smarter ☀️
Get the USA TODAY app
U.S.
Politics
Sports
Entertainment
Life
Money
Travel
Opinion
Crossword
ONLY AT USA TODAY:
Newsletters
For Subscribers
Real Estate
From the Archives
USA TODAY PLAY
Crossword
Marvel Comics
eNewspaper
Magazines
Investigations
Video
Podcasts
Humankind
Advertise Your Business
WITNESS (True Crime)
Just Curious
Best-selling Booklist
Top Workplaces Nomination
Legals
Press Releases
Cars
Grocery Shopping
OUR PORTFOLIO:
Real Estate
10BEST
USA TODAY Store
Shopping
Blueprint
WITNESS (True Crime)
Southern Kitchen
Home Internet Services
More Videos
AI privacy tips and practical guidance for Californians
Phising on rise in California: Three signs a text message is an AI scam
California Job Market & Hiring Industries Explainer
2026 back-to-school expenses climb across California
Watch Next
Runaway pig ‘Wilbur’ spotted scampering through Los Angeles
Autonomous trucks get California permits for road testing
Benefits and criticisms of new California tire efficiency standards
Aug 20, 2026 · via usatoday.com
British electric vehicle company Voltempo has detailed plans for a cabless, fully autonomous electric truck: a rigid 15.6-metre vehicle that would exceed the UK’s current 12-metre length limit for non-articulated trucks and carry up to 42 tonnes across five axles, against today’s 32-tonne, four-axle maximum. A prototype of the unit, dubbed the “Smart trailer”, is due by September 2027, with production targeted for later that year and first deliveries expected to follow in mid-2028. Removing the driver’s cab is the design’s central proposition. In an interview with Autocar, Founder Michael Boxwell said that the vehicle’s laden weight could fall to between ten and 12 tonnes, against roughly 19 tonnes for a conventional electric articulated truck. The economics behind this argument is strong: if realised, it would free up around 15% more cargo volume and five to seven tonnes of extra payload capacity. That would in turn lift the average freight carried from 16 tonnes to 18.6 tonnes, despite the vehicle sitting 1.5 metres shorter than a standard articulated HGV. “Your average weight on the road is three times lighter because of the rigid body,” Boxwell said. Voltempo will not be manufacturing in-house. Instead, Berkeley Coachworks is building the prototype’s body, with an unnamed major truckmaker supplying the electric powertrain. Testing is planned at an autonomous vehicle test track in South Wales, and the UK’s Automated Vehicles Act, which allows driverless vehicles on public roads, would potentially allow trials to move onto national highways. Boxwell said that every major truckmaker in Europe has already agreed to support formal reclassification of the vehicle category and build to the resulting specification. Having buy-in from industry is essential, given that Voltempo’s design cannot legally operate commercially until regulators approve it. Voltempo is currently targeting fixed logistics routes between ports, railheads and distribution centres rather
Aug 20, 2026 · via automotiveworld.com
For over 25 years, FCW has been the go-to source for news, information, and analysis.
Join our community of industry leaders and innovators.
Become a Member
|
Login
Hydrogen
EV
Investors
Research
Knowledge
Contact
EV
Zijin Longking Launches 230 T Class Battery Mining Truck & Signs Autonomy Partnership with EACON
By
FCW Team
August 20, 2026 at 11:40 AM EDT
Listen
Aug 20, 2026 · via fuelcellsworks.com
Tatra's Insane 8x8 Off-Road Truck Goes Electric For The First Time With up to 1,917 lb-ft of torque, two transmissions, and fully independent axles, the Tatra Force e-Drive BEV sounds like a beast. - Czechia’s Tatra Trucks has unveiled its first electric model. - The Force e-Drive BEV is an 8x8 work truck with four-axle independent suspension. - It’s powered by a single electric motor and has two transmissions. I vividly remember watching some of the wildest off-road trials as a kid, and the biggest and most impressive vehicles out there would always wear a Tatra badge on the grille. And now, the legendary Czech manufacturer is offering its first-ever electric truck, and it’s an off-road beast, as always. The Tatra Force e-Drive BEV 8x8 is based on the company’s latest-generation chassis with a central backbone tube and swinging independent half-axles. The all-eight-wheel drive system is also part of the package, with the two front axles featuring steering and a connectable drive, while the two rear axles are permanently driven. Air suspension, a differential for each axle, and an interaxle differential are also integrated into the drivetrain, which sounds hard to believe, but that’s how Tatra rolls. That said, what makes the electric Force truck different from its combustion-powered counterparts is the powertrain. A Danfoss electric motor sits under the cab and sends a maximum of 737 horsepower (550 kilowatts) and 1,917 pound-feet (2,600 Newton-meters) of torque to an Eaton four-speed automated transmission. The continuous output is 442 hp (360 kW) and 1,696 lb-ft (2,300 Nm). There’s also a secondary Tatra transmission that enables the truck to tackle the roughest terrain out there in complete silence. It’s an extremely complicated rig, but it’s one of the few trucks out there that can get the job done in remote areas. No
Aug 20, 2026 · via insideevs.com
Waymo’s New Robotaxi Minivans Are Now Taking Paying Passengers The Chinese-made Zeekr vans are fitted with Waymo’s sixth-generation hardware and software suite. - Waymo is now offering paid rides in its new Ojai autonomous vans. - The Zeekr-made electric robotaxis are available for all riders in three U.S. cities. - Initially, riders may be matched with an Ojai when they order a Waymo. Waymo, the biggest robotaxi company in the United States, has started offering paid rides in its new Ojai electric minivans in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The rollout comes after a limited trial where some riders could hail an Ojai for free. The larger vehicles feature sliding doors and can seat up to four passengers, making them better suited for families, at least compared to the aging Jaguar I-Pace EVs that have become a staple of San Francisco’s roads. For now, riders who order a Waymo in these three cities may be matched with an Ojay or an I-Pace, but further down the road, when there are more minivans available, the Alphabet-owned company will offer customers a choice between the two vehicles. Built in China by Zeekr, the Ojai minivans feature Waymo’s sixth-generation hardware and software suite. Despite facing hiked import tariffs, the lovable EVs are much cheaper to build and operate than the Jaguar I-Paces that Waymo has been using for years. The vehicles are shipped to the United States without any connected car technologies. Then, Waymo’s factory in Arizona installs the proprietary self-driving system that includes 13 cameras, four lidars, and six radars. The software was also redesigned to better handle harsh weather conditions, including snow and fog. There are about 300 Ojai robotaxis up and running right now, according to a company spokesperson quoted by TechCrunch, but Waymo has big plans for the
Aug 20, 2026 · via insideevs.com
Einride AB has signed an agreement to integrate its autonomous driving system, Einride Driver, into DAF’s electric vehicle platform. Initially, both companies, together with Dutch innovation research institute TNO, will collaborate on defining and testing a safe and scalable autonomous driving system and interface within freight. The collaboration marks a significant step toward the large-scale commercialisation of SAE Level 4 autonomous electric freight transport in response to industry challenges such as driver shortages and rising operating costs. Level 4 refers to a high level of driving automation in which the vehicle can independently perform repetitive driving tasks under predefined conditions, without any need for human intervention. DAF, Einride and TNO will also work closely with type approval authorities to ensure the platform is compliant for future expansion onto public roads. Tests and validation of key interfaces will be conducted during 2026, followed by the integration and commissioning of Einride’s autonomous driving software in 2027. All subsequent interface validation and functional testing performed on a DAF truck. The initiative builds on US truck maker PACCAR’s automated driving activities, where experience has been gained through the North American Autonomous Vehicle Platform programme. As part of the project PACCAR has tested Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks using autonomous technology from developer Aurora in FedEx linehaul trucking operations between Dallas and Houston. Jeroen van den Oetelaar, DAF Trucks’ Chief Engineer and Member of the Board said: “This collaboration is a testament to DAF’s commitment to innovation and future-proofing the logistics sector. “By combining our premium truck platform with leading autonomous technology, we are actively shaping a more efficient, safer, and sustainable freight ecosystem.”
Aug 20, 2026 · via smmt.co.uk
Aurora to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences - Chris Urmson, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on September 10, 2026 at 5:25 p.m. Eastern time - Chris Urmson, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer Morgan Stanley 14th Annual Laguna Conference on September 15, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time - David Maday, Chief Financial Officer Evercore 9th Annual ADAS, AV & AI Forum on September 29, 2026 at 8:50 a.m. Eastern time The presentations will be webcast on Aurora’s investor relations website at ir.aurora.tech. A replay of the webcasts will be available for 30 days following the live presentation. About Aurora Aurora (Nasdaq: AUR) is delivering the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly to make transportation safer, increasingly accessible, and more reliable and efficient than ever before. The Aurora Driver is a self-driving system designed to operate multiple vehicle types, from freight-hauling trucks to ride-hailing passenger vehicles, and underpins Aurora’s driver as a service product for trucking. Aurora is working with industry leaders across the transportation ecosystem, including AUMOVIO, FedEx, Hirschbach, McLane, NVIDIA, PACCAR, Ryder, Schneider, Toyota, Uber, Uber Freight, Volvo Trucks, Volvo Autonomous Solutions, and Werner. To learn more, visit aurora.tech. Aurora Overview Aurora Press Kit View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260820746594/en/ Investor Relations: Stacy Feit ir@aurora.tech Media: press@aurora.tech Source: Aurora Innovation, Inc.
Aug 20, 2026 · via stocktitan.net
- Coca-Cola Fleet Pilot: Tire data startup BANF has launched a 10-month pilot program with the US Coca-Cola fleet via the '100+ Accelerator' to test its Tire Profile Solution under real-world operating conditions. - Going beyond traditional TPMS, BANF’s system utilizes internal 3-axis sensors (iSensor) and wireless receivers (Smart Profiler) to track critical metrics like tire wear, load changes, wheel alignment, and pressure in real-time. - Successful field validation with Coca-Cola will serve as a stepping stone for BANF to upgrade its offerings and scale across global commercial sectors, including delivery fleets, autonomous vehicles, and robotaxis. Tire data analysis technology company BANF announced that it is conducting a pilot to verify the field applicability of its Tire Profile Solution for the Coca-Cola fleet (vehicles owned and operated by a company for business purposes). Based on the data, field feedback, and operational experience secured through this pilot, BANF plans to upgrade the solution and expand its application scope to various long-hour operation mobility sectors in the future, such as delivery vehicles, commercial vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and robotaxis. BANF is conducting a solution verification pilot with the Coca-Cola fleet / source=BANF A fleet refers to vehicles owned and operated by a company for business purposes such as logistics or delivery. Delivery vehicles, cargo trucks, and trailers are representative examples. In the case of South Korea, it is common for drivers to purchase vehicles in their own names and then transport the company's cargo, but in the US and Europe, it is standard for companies to own the vehicles and only hire drivers. In other words, overseas, a significant portion of cargo and delivery transport on the roads is carried out through fleets. As companies directly own and manage the vehicles, vehicle condition management is a factor that dictates the efficiency and safety
Aug 20, 2026 · via donga.com
RideFlux, an autonomous driving AI software company, said on Aug. 18 that it submitted an application for preliminary review for a KOSDAQ listing to the Korea Exchange on Aug. 14. RideFlux passed its technology assessment in May after receiving A ratings from both of the two professional evaluation agencies designated by the Korea Exchange. Korea Investment & Securities and Woori Investment Securities are the lead underwriters, and the company is targeting a KOSDAQ listing in the second half. RideFlux has raised a cumulative 88.2 billion won in investment. Founded in 2018, RideFlux describes itself as a company with full-stack technology for Level 4 driverless autonomous driving, covering perception and localization, decision-making and control, high-definition maps and remote operations. The company said its core software architecture, “RideFlux Driver™,” can be applied across vehicle types including passenger cars, buses and heavy-duty trucks. RideFlux also highlights that it is the only company to have received a temporary permit for “driver-out” autonomous driving from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, allowing operation without a safety operator in the driver’s seat. The company has accumulated more than 3,300 hours of test data in Seoul’s Sangam area and plans to launch a public driverless robotaxi service, with a safety operator in the passenger seat, by the end of this year. In passenger transportation, RideFlux is conducting projects including late-night autonomous bus operations on Busan’s bus rapid transit system and a Level 4 car-sharing demonstration. It is also participating with Hyundai Motor Group and others in a large-scale autonomous driving demonstration city project spanning Gwangju. In freight transportation, RideFlux has obtained approval for paid “hub-to-hub” freight services connecting highways and urban roads. Since July, it has been regularly operating Hanjin’s 25-ton heavy-duty autonomous truck on a 116-kilometer route linking Gunsan, Jeonju and Daejeon. RideFlux said it
Aug 20, 2026 · via thelec.net
Autonomous excavation is the one physical AI problem that every prior generation of construction robots failed to solve — not because of weak sensors or cheap computers, but because an excavator actively destroys its own operating environment with every pass of the bucket. SoftBank's $200 million Series A investment in Gravis Robotics, announced on August 17 in what the Zurich-based startup describes as the largest such round in construction robotics history, is a bet that an ETH Zurich research team has now solved it — and that the timing could not be more commercially urgent. The construction industry sits at the center of two simultaneous crises. Global construction productivity grew 10 percent since 2000 — versus 90 percent for manufacturing over the same period through 2022, according to McKinsey. At the same time, the Associated Builders and Contractors estimates the US industry needs to attract 349,000 net new workers in 2026 alone simply to meet existing demand, a figure that rises to 456,000 in 2027. Those two numbers — a stagnant productivity record and a deepening labor shortage — describe the construction bottleneck that is now physically constraining the AI economy's ability to break ground fast enough. Solving the Hardest Sim-to-Real Problem in Robotics Autonomous vehicles navigate static roads. Warehouse robots move objects across fixed floors. An excavator does neither — it intentionally crashes into the earth, breaks apart varying soil containing hidden rocks, and reshapes the terrain with every operating cycle. This is why construction automation lagged decades behind automotive and warehouse robotics: the standard approach in physical AI is to train a model in simulation, then deploy it on real hardware. In a warehouse, the simulated floor and the real floor are effectively identical. On a construction site, the ground after ten minutes of digging shares almost nothing
Aug 20, 2026 · via techtimes.com
Unionized Delivery Drivers Vs. Deliveries Across the country, the Teamsters union is at war with companies trying to ship more things to your door for less money. One would think that delivery drivers would be natural supporters of delivery services. Not if you're the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Through lobbying efforts and lawsuits, the union has made itself the primary enemy of any business or industry that might ship goods or drop off packages without employing unionized drivers (or any drivers, for that matter). The Teamsters have come out in force to support New York City's Delivery Protection Act (DPA), which would require companies like Amazon to hire delivery drivers as full-time employees—an effective ban on the company's current practice of hiring out deliveries to smaller subcontracting firms. Proponents of the bill, including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, allege that Amazon's use of subcontractors enables it to avoid various worker protections guaranteed to full-time employees. Amazon counters that contracted delivery workers are amply compensated and covered by a range of worker protections. Eliminating its subcontracting model, the company argues, would raise delivery costs for consumers and incentivize it to move more of its operations out of New York City. One study commissioned by a New York business advocacy group, partially funded by Amazon, found that the DPA would increase annual consumer costs by $664. The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board notes that federal labor law doesn't allow subcontractors and independent contractors to unionize. The Teamsters have been in a years-long effort to unionize Amazon contractors. Banning the company's subcontracting model would be a necessary step to bring its delivery drivers into its union. As one of the country's largest companies, Amazon makes for an easy populist target. But small businesses that contract out delivery services have not been spared from
Aug 19, 2026 · via reason.com
Autonomous trucking is becoming more mainstream on highways across the United States. To date, at least five states have deployed autonomous trucks on their roads. However, already there’s been growing opposition from labor groups and public safety officials. While some believe autonomous trucks could make roads safer and reduce shipping costs while addressing persistent driver shortages, others feel the technology threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs. There's also concerns that the technology has not yet demonstrated it can safely handle every real-world situation that will be encountered on American highways. “What will the liability look like when you have trucks autonomously driven across the country and the inevitable accident occurs? And how does this impact the independent drivers and operators who work on a contract basis?” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. Why It Matters Commercial freight transportation is a critical part of the U.S. economy, with millions of deliveries moving across the country every day. If autonomous trucking becomes widespread, it could reshape supply chains and labor markets in addition to the trucking industry itself. What to Know Several states have become major hubs for autonomous truck testing and deployment, including: - Texas: Texas is potentially becoming the leading state for autonomous trucking deployment, and Aurora has operated commercial autonomous freight routes connecting cities including Dallas, Houston, El Paso, Fort Worth and Phoenix. - Arizona: The state is a longtime testing hub with permissive autonomous vehicle policies and freight routes connected to operations in Texas. - California: Recently opened the door to heavy-duty autonomous truck testing under new DMV regulations. Aurora and Kodiak AI have already received testing permits. - Colorado: Lawmakers have debated requiring human operators in autonomous trucks, but Governor Jared Polis vetoed legislation to prevent
Aug 19, 2026 · via newsweek.com
Wire California allows self-driving semi-trucks on public roads James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK Aug 19, 2026 6 hrs ago Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Gift this article New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Email Copy Link California drivers may soon notice something new sharing the freeway: self-driving semi-trucks. California's updated DMV rules now allow autonomous trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds to test on public roads, and two companies have already secured the state's first permits.Our latest explainer breaks down what the new regulations mean, why supporters say autonomous trucking could improve freight movement tied to California ports and agriculture, and why labor groups are fighting the program in court over concerns about safety and job impacts. For now, every truck must carry a human safety driver, and companies face strict testing and reporting requirements before any driverless operations could be approved.We also cover what motorists need to know as testing expands, including how to safely share the road with large trucks, how to avoid blind spots, and how to stay informed as California considers the next steps in autonomous trucking.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California allows self-driving semi-trucks on public roadsReporting by James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAYUSA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Latest e-Edition Most Popular Articles Images Videos Commented ArticlesTexas Rangers arrest former Pct. 2 JP Donnie Puckett on charge of abuse of official capacityAffidavit: Trio stole almost $3.5K from Lufkin Old Navy in shoplifting spree across multiple storesMotorist dies in two-vehicle crash
Aug 19, 2026 · via lufkindailynews.com
More Videos
Camarillo resident explains the power of advocacyArrest announced in 1994 robbery and rape case in Thousand OaksSee Fisherman's Wharf in Oxnard as it awaits much-needed upgradesSpaceX plans 1 rocket launch this week in California. Here's when
Aug 19, 2026 · via vcstar.com