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Startup aims to bring <b>driverless</b> semitrucks to California roads | Los Angeles Times

Try GOLD - Free Startup aims to bring driverless semitrucks to California roads Los Angeles Times |June 21, 2026 Drivers and unions raise alarms about safety of a cabless freight truck A Bay Area startup is trying to reinvent the semitruck by making the gas-guzzling giants electric, autonomous and designed for efficiency. Humble Robotics, founded last year in San Francisco, has raised $24 million to develop a cabless freight truck that lacks a steering wheel, gas pedal and driver's seat. The company says its reimagined truck could move freight across California and other states while saving money and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Humble Robotics emerged from stealth in April with seed funding led by Eclipse Capital, a Palo Alto-based venture capital firm, and Energy Impact Partners. The company is looking to capitalize on new regulations in California that could pave the way for autonomous trucks to hit public roads in the near future. But the technology still faces hurdles, experts said, and labor groups including the Teamsters are raising alarms over safety and availability of jobs. âWe're building an electric autonomous platform for moving freight, and when we were conceiving the company, the goal was to move freight at the lowest possible cost,â said Eyal Cohen, founder and chief executive of Humble Robotics. âWe just want to bring everybody along into modernizing this technology.â Cohen, who has spent nearly two decades working on electric and autonomous vehicles at companies including Uber, Apple and Waabi, said Humbleâs driverless truck dubbed the Humble Hauler could begin customer pilots within the year. In April, the California Department of Motor Vehicles revised its regulations for autonomous vehicles and lifted a ban on autonomous trucks weighing 10,001 pounds or more. Heavy-duty autonomous vehicles, however, are required to begin testing with a human safety driver and

EACON Technology Powers <b>Autonomous</b> HD1500 Fleet Operations at Western Australian Gold Mine

EACON Mining Technology has reached a significant milestone in the deployment of autonomous haulage technology in Australia, commencing day-shift autonomous operations with a fleet of retrofitted Komatsu HD1500 haul trucks at a gold mining operation in Western Australia. The project, located at the Havana Pit within the Paddington operation of Norton Gold Fields (NGF) in the Kalgoorlie Goldfields region, marks the first deployment of autonomous haulage technology in an active mining production environment in the region. It also represents one of the industry’s pioneering retrofit applications of autonomous technology on Komatsu HD1500 haul trucks. The rollout involves six Komatsu HD1500 trucks operating autonomously without safety drivers during daytime production activities. Site personnel are simultaneously being trained and upskilled to support the future transition to night-shift autonomous operations. From Existing Fleet to Autonomous Operations Unlike traditional autonomous haulage projects that often rely on new equipment, the NGF project leverages existing fleet assets. Each truck has been converted for autonomous operation using EACON’s OEM-agnostic autonomous haulage solution, including a drive-by-wire retrofit system. The approach demonstrates how mining operations can introduce autonomous haulage using existing equipment, reducing capital expenditure requirements while minimising disruptions to ongoing production. According to EACON, the project is intended to provide a practical pathway for miners seeking to adopt automation without undertaking wholesale fleet replacement programs. The transition from conventional operations to a fully autonomous production environment follows an extensive period of system development and validation. Prior to deployment, the project team completed drive-by-wire system design, autonomy feature validation, system integration, and a comprehensive series of safety assessments tailored to Australian mining conditions. Extensive Preparation Behind the Rollout Although autonomous operations officially commenced in June, preparation activities began much earlier. Following telecommunications infrastructure orders placed in January 2026, more than five months were dedicated to establishing the foundations required

FMCSA eyes increased enforcement of drug and alcohol rules for non-CDL commercial ...

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is exploring ways to increase detection and enforcement of substance use violations among non-commercial driver’s license (CDL) commercial vehicle drivers. In a notice filed June 18, FMCSA announced a research study called “Techniques for Preventing and Enforcing Controlled Substance and Alcohol Violations Among Non-CDL Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Drivers.” As part of the study, officials will ask state partners to provide data that quantifies non-CDL CMV driver drug and alcohol violations and provides solutions for better prevention, detection, and enforcement of these violations. The agency said that while commercial vehicle drivers who hold CDLs are subject to drug and alcohol testing rules, “non-CDL CMV drivers who operate smaller CMVs are not subject to these same requirements.” “Adding to the complexity are the varied and inconsistent nationwide enforcement practices of alcohol and drug regulations. This underscores the need for a more unified approach to regulating and enforcing substance use policies for all CMV drivers. Strengthening oversight and ensuring consistent enforcement across states is critical to improving safety on our roads and protecting lives,” FMCSA said. FMCSA will accept public comment on the proposed study. FMCSA defines a non-CDL CMV as a vehicle that is used in interstate commerce and: - Has an actual weight or weight rating over 10,000 pounds (lbs.), but does not meet the definition of a CDL-required CMV; or - seats between 9 and 15 (including the driver) and the company is being compensated for providing the transportation; and - does not require placards.

Oklahoma's Interstate 35 the proving ground for <b>autonomous</b> semi <b>trucks</b>

STATE Oklahoma's Interstate 35 the proving ground for autonomous trucks Dale Denwalt The Oklahoman June 20, 2026, 5:15 a.m. CT A second trucking company has launched a freight route for autonomous semis on Oklahoma highways. Aurora Innovation, partnering with Volvo Autonomous Solutions, announced the launch of a 200-mile route between Dallas and Oklahoma City to expand its autonomous freight network. The trucks will run in Oklahoma up to five days a week, Aurora said.

<b>Autonomous truck</b> routes are expanding in Oklahoma. See where

News Sports Life Business Real Estate Advertise Obituaries eNewspaper Legals More Videos Oklahoma farmers markets: How to prepare, celebrate this season See inside historic Dolese family mansion in Oklahoma City Watch Next How has inflation pressure impacted Oklahoma consumers? A breakdown Plans to demolish Heritage Park Mall in Midwest City moving forward Oklahoma visitors spent billions in 2025, report says

volvo <b>autonomous</b>

James Menzies is editorial director of Today's Trucking and trucknews.com. He has been covering the Canadian trucking industry for more than 24 years and holds a CDL. Reach him at james@newcom.ca or follow him on X at @JamesMenzies. Have your say This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances. We have changed the way we showcase trucks and trailers available for sale – and now send the details right to your email inbox. Simply click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly HD Hotlist for the listings. We use cookies to make your website experience better. By accepting this notice and continuing to browse our website you confirm you accept our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. Have your say This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

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James Menzies is editorial director of Today's Trucking and trucknews.com. He has been covering the Canadian trucking industry for more than 24 years and holds a CDL. Reach him at james@newcom.ca or follow him on X at @JamesMenzies. Have your say This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances. We have changed the way we showcase trucks and trailers available for sale – and now send the details right to your email inbox. Simply click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly HD Hotlist for the listings. We use cookies to make your website experience better. By accepting this notice and continuing to browse our website you confirm you accept our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. Have your say This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

<b>Autonomous Trucks</b> Run 7000 km Across U.S., Cutting Empty-Mile Rate

Mars Auto, an autonomous trucking startup, said Wednesday it has expanded its transcontinental autonomous freight route in the U.S. into a round-trip operation in partnership with LX Pantos, a global integrated logistics company. The two companies structured the round-trip route to carry Hyundai Mobis automotive parts on the westbound-to-eastbound leg and building materials from a Korean manufacturer on the eastbound-to-westbound return leg. The move expands a "Team Korea"-based long-distance autonomous freight transport project that Korean startups, large corporations, and the government have pursued together to a new stage. Through the partnership, Mars Auto and LX Pantos extended their transcontinental autonomous freight route from about 3,500 km one-way to more than 7,000 km round-trip. As the previously one-way route, already the world's longest fixed route, has been expanded to a round trip, the record for the world's longest autonomous transport route has been broken once again. The key to this expansion is securing "return cargo" to improve the deadhead, or empty-mile, rate. The current average empty-mile rate in the U.S. freight transport industry is about 16.7 percent. By linking eastbound return cargo, the two companies lowered the empty-mile rate to about 5 percent. This is about one-third of the U.S. industry average. Mars Auto operates its long-distance freight route based on "Mars Pilot," a camera-based Vision E2E artificial intelligence (AI) autonomous driving system. Through Tesla-style autonomous driving AI that uses no lidar or high-definition maps, the company is implementing autonomous driving technology that is scalable across various road environments. On this basis, it has accumulated more than 20 million km of driving data at home and abroad. In November last year, Mars Auto was selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 18.2 billion won strategic project to develop unmanned autonomous driving commercialization technology for heavy-truck freight transport. More recently,

CVSA gearing up for weeklong July operation targeting unsafe commercial vehicle drivers

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is preparing for the agency’s next major commercial vehicle enforcement operation kicking off in July. CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week will take place throughout North America from July 12 — 18, 2026. During the weeklong operation, law enforcement agencies will increase patrols in order to locate and cite commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers who are demonstrating unsafe driving behaviors. Police will patrol looking for driving behaviors that could lead to a crash or injury, including speeding, distracted driving, fatigued/drowsy driving, following too closely, impaired driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, unsafe lane changes, and disregarding traffic signals. The area of focus for Operation Safe Driver Week 2026 is reckless, careless or dangerous driving. “The goal of this weeklong safe-driving enforcement and outreach initiative is to improve drivers’ behaviors through education, traffic-enforcement strategies and driver interactions with law enforcement. Driver-related behaviors are largely preventable; therefore, addressing these behaviors is one of the most effective ways to reduce injuries, save lives and improve overall road safety,” CVSA said. During Operation Safe Driver Week 2025, officers issued 3,230 warnings and 1,839 tickets/citations to commercial vehicle drivers, and 345 warnings and 665 tickets/citations to passenger vehicle drivers for various unsafe driving behaviors.

Poll: Texans support <b>autonomous</b> vehicles, but want stronger safety standards

Poll: Texans support autonomous vehicles, but want stronger safety standards Texans support the idea of self-driving vehicles, but want stronger safety standards and accountability from the companies that put them on the road, according to a new poll. The poll by Safe Autonomous Vehicles Everywhere in the United States, shows that while a vast majority of people in Austin, Dallas and Houston know about autonomous vehicles, most do not believe they are safe. Of those polled, 36% in Austin consider the vehicles safe. That number drops to 25% in Dallas and 22% in Houston. When asked, 80-83% of those polled support requiring autonomous vehicle companies to report all collisions to government agencies, while 72-79% support mandatory fines for those companies when autonomous vehicle technology malfunctions. A majority of those polled said they believe that manufacturers should bear some responsibility for crashes involving driver-assistance systems. The poll also asked about Tesla's Robotaxi service. Around 80% of those polled said they were concerned about Tesla's safety performance. SAVE-US said the service has been involved in at least 14 reported crashes over 800,000 miles of operation. Those polled also said Tesla's authorization to operate Robotaxi should be revoked until it can show the program is safe. The biggest opposition came from those polled in Austin, where 73% said Tesla should not operate Robotaxi. That number was less in Dallas (60%) and Houston (65%). Under Senate Bill 2807, passed in 2025, automated vehicles must receive authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before putting those vehicles into service. TxDMV allows companies to self-certify the requirements for operation and provide a written statement that the vehicles are: - Capable of operating in compliance with applicable traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state; - Equipped with a required recording device; - Equipped with an

AVI-SPL Uses <b>Autonomous</b> Transport to Support Freight Movement in Texas

AVI-SPL and Volvo Autonomous Solutions have started commercial autonomous freight operations between Dallas and Houston using the Volvo VNL Autonomous powered by the Aurora Driver. The operations will support AVI-SPL’s freight movement and reflect the company’s continued investment in operational innovation and supply chain strategies designed to improve scalability, reliability, and long-term efficiency. As freight demand continues to increase across the U.S., the transportation industry is facing challenges related to a shortage of qualified drivers and delivery capacity constraints. Autonomous transport technologies are emerging as one solution to help organizations strengthen logistics operations while supporting safer and more sustainable freight movement. According to Sasko Cuklev, Head of On-Road Solutions at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, AVI-SPL moves high-value goods where speed and responsiveness are essential. Cuklev said the collaboration shows how autonomous transport can help reduce transit times, improve service, and meet the demands of time-sensitive, high-value freight. Tim Riek, Chief Strategy Officer at AVI-SPL, pointed out that autonomous transportation has the potential to reshape the future of logistics, as the collaboration allows AVI-SPL to explore technologies that can help improve operational resilience, support long-term scalability, and strengthen the overall customer experience.

&quot;Roading 7,000km Across the American Continent&quot;… Mars Auto and LX Pantos ...

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

Watch Signal's Whittaker on Big Tech's Privacy Threat

Jun 19th, 2026 Signal’s Whittaker on Big Tech’s Privacy Threat "Three companies... can make decisions that fundamentally harm our collective cybersecurity." Signal President Meredith Whittaker tells Mishal Husain why she believes AI and big tech pose a major threat to privacy.

Volvo AB (0HTP) Gets a Buy from J.P. Morgan

This section contains press releases and other materials from third parties (including paid content). The Globe and Mail has not reviewed this content. Please see disclaimer. Volvo AB (0HTP) Gets a Buy from J.P. Morgan In a report released today, Jose Asumendi from J.P. Morgan maintained a Buy rating on Volvo AB, with a price target of SEK360.00. Claim 55% Off TipRanks - Unlock powerful investing tools and data-driven insights with TipRanks Premium for more confident investment decisions. - Discover top stock picks and new investment opportunities through TipRanks' Smart Investor Newsletter. According to TipRanks, Asumendi is a 3-star analyst with an average return of 2.1% and a 50.30% success rate. In addition to J.P. Morgan, Volvo AB also received a Buy from UBS’s Andre Kukhnin in a report issued on June 16. However, yesterday, Deutsche Bank maintained a Hold rating on Volvo AB (LSE: 0HTP). The company has a one-year high of SEK354.00 and a one-year low of SEK244.90. Currently, Volvo AB has an average volume of 3.44M. Read More on GB:0HTP: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue - Volvo upgraded to Buy from Hold at Pareto - Midday Fly By: SpaceX IPO oversubscribed, Chewy reports in-line Q1 - Volvo sees $3B autonomous truck business in five years, Bloomberg says - Volvo says demand strong in North America, good in Europe, Reuters reports - Lawmakers seek to end 12% excise tax on heavy duty trucks, Reuters reports This article contains syndicated content. We have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content, and may receive compensation for placement of the content on this site. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.

The advent of the software-defined aircraft

In the 1970s, Airbus pioneered ‘fly-by-wire’ technology. The latest watchword is ‘fly-by-code’. The company is investing in an R&T-led digital transformation that will turn its aircraft into hyper-connected software platforms. The shift aims to make the business of flying even safer and more efficient, in the air and on the ground. The automotive industry has adjusted to the reality that vehicles are no longer just engines and metal. They are computers on wheels. Aerospace is on the edge of an equally profound transformation, even if its R&T and certification cycles are longer. The sector is moving towards a generation of products designed to be networked digital natives, where code plays a more and more prominent role. These are software-defined aircraft, capable of natively processing and intelligently interpreting terabytes of data to support and protect pilots and operators. In the air: scaling up modular software into an ecosystem To understand the software-defined aircraft, it helps to look at modern platforms such as the Airbus A350. It already features modular digital systems that consolidate separate hardware units hosting multiple applications. These applications are concentrated on the aircraft’s core operational systems. Modular avionics is small in scale, typically managing only 20 to 30 functions such as maintenance diagnostics, cockpit displays, cabin environment and engine control. In addition, for most commercial aircraft, digital capabilities are rigidly stuck at the factory gate. Upgrading or retrofitting a system demands heavy physical modifications and costly downtime. Airbus’ emerging Next-Generation System Platform – NGSP – breaks the ceiling. Rather than limiting software to a few distinct tasks, this major R&T programme is scaling up digital aircraft architecture to an ecosystem that bridges safety, flight operations and ground operations. The NGSP folds all three domains (including access to Skywise’s data lake for predictive aircraft maintenance and more) into a

Abu Dhabi Mobility, Lumo to trial first <b>autonomous</b> public transport bus in MENA region

The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) recently held a meeting with Lumo, an Emirati company specializing in smart mobility and autonomous transport solutions, to discuss mechanisms for implementing the first autonomous public transport bus trial in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The trial builds on the ongoing collaboration to jointly develop smart mobility solutions and autonomous driving systems in Abu Dhabi, following the engagement initiated during GITEX Global 2025. Partnership to advance Abu Dhabi’s leadership in smart mobility During the meeting, Abu Dhabi Mobility and Lumo reviewed global best practices and international experiences in the field of autonomous public transport. They also explored opportunities to implement pilot projects and technical studies related to such advanced technologies, thereby contributing to the development of smarter, more efficient and more sustainable mobility solutions, while strengthening the emirate’s readiness to adopt the latest future transport technologies. “This collaboration reflects the Integrated Transport Centre’s commitment to advancing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in smart mobility and autonomous transport systems through the deployment of innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency of the public transport network and improve quality of life,” said His Excellency Hamad Adel Al Afeefi, Executive Director of the Intelligent Transport Systems Sector at Abu Dhabi Mobility. “The autonomous bus trial represents a strategic milestone towards a future driven by advanced technologies and artificial intelligence in the operation and management of transport services, fully aligned with the emirate’s ambitions for sustainability and innovation,” he added. Abu Dhabi targets 25 percent of total trips to be smart and autonomous by 2040 The initiative comes as part of Abu Dhabi Mobility’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of smart mobility technologies and autonomous systems, in support of the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Smart and Autonomous Mobility Strategy, which aims for smart and autonomous mobility

Tord Olav Dønnum on the future of <b>autonomous</b> foodservice | Vending Times

Tord Olav Dønnum discusses how robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping foodservice operations and how autonomous kitchens can help operators improve profitability while preserving the human side of hospitality. June 19, 2026 by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media Tord Olav Dønnum, chief business officer of Shin Starr Presents, will be among the featured speakers at the 2026 Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show, scheduled for Dec. 14-16 in Miami Beach, Florida. ARKI is an annual conference and trade show that brings together leaders in self-service technology, automated retail, kiosks, smart stores, unattended foodservice, vending and digital customer engagement. The event features educational sessions, keynote presentations, networking opportunities and an exhibition floor showcasing the latest innovations in kiosks, robotics, AI, payments, digital signage, micro markets and autonomous retail. A Norwegian entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley, Dønnum joined Shin Starr after building and exiting a technology venture focused on connecting startups with investors. Shin Starr's autonomous kitchen technology uses robotics to move ingredients from refrigerated storage through the cooking process, producing freshly prepared meals with minimal labor while maintaining consistency and reducing food waste. The company's OLHSO brand has already demonstrated the concept through autonomous Korean barbecue food trucks and is now targeting airports and other high-traffic venues. While automation often sparks concerns about labor displacement, Dønnum argues that the technology should be viewed as a tool to enhance hospitality rather than replace it. He believes the industry's future depends on finding a balance between robotics and human interaction, particularly as operators face rising labor costs, shrinking margins and growing demand for fresh food around the clock. During a recent interview with Vending Times, Dønnum discussed how robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping foodservice operations and why he believes autonomous kitchens can help operators improve profitability while preserving the