<b>Driverless truck</b> completes 200-mile journey in historic first | 13newsnow.com
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Autonomous Trucks
Aurora Innovation Jumps on Hirschbach's 500-<b>Truck Autonomous</b> Freight Plan
Aurora Innovation(NASDAQ:AUR), a developer of self-driving technology for various vehicle types and applications, closed Thursday at $5.88, up 15.52%. The stock moved higher after news of an expanded Hirschbach partnership outlining 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks and a potential multi-year revenue stream in the hundreds of millions. Investors will be following closely regarding the execution of the planned commercial rollout. The company’s trading volume reached 59.2 million shares, which is about 208% above compared with its three-month average of 19 million shares. Aurora Innovation went public in 2021 and has fallen 41% since its IPO. How the markets moved today The S&P 500(SNPINDEX:^GSPC) rose 1.02% to finish Thursday at 7,209, while the Nasdaq Composite(NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) gained 0.89% to close at 24,892. Among autonomous vehicle technology peers, Alphabet(NASDAQ:GOOGL) closed at $381.94 (+9.97%) and Tesla(NASDAQ:TSLA) finished at $381.63 (+2.37%), reflecting strong interest in advanced mobility platforms. What this means for investors Aurora Innovation shares climbed after the company and Hirschbach Motor Lines announced a non-binding plan to scale up to 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks for Hirschbach’s autonomous fleet, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027. The proposed deployment envisions up to 500 million driverless miles and a multi-year revenue opportunity in the hundreds of millions of dollars, while final commercial terms remain subject to binding agreements. The announcement gives Aurora a clearer path from early freight operations toward commercial autonomous trucking, but the stock’s next test is whether these plans translate into binding commitments and actual revenue from delivering paid, driverless miles. Future updates on binding customer commitments, actual truck deployments, and paid driverless miles on commercial routes will determine whether the Hirschbach plan becomes a sustainable and repeatable source of revenue. Should you buy stock in Aurora Innovation right now? Before you buy stock in Aurora Innovation, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock
Stock Market Today, April 30: Aurora Innovation Jumps on Hirschbach's 500-<b>Truck</b> ...
NASDAQ: AUR Key Data Points Aurora Innovation (AUR +15.52%), a developer of self-driving technology for various vehicle types and applications, closed Thursday at $5.88, up 15.52%. The stock moved higher after news of an expanded Hirschbach partnership outlining 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks and a potential multi-year revenue stream in the hundreds of millions. Investors will be following closely regarding the execution of the planned commercial rollout. The company’s trading volume reached 59.2 million shares, which is about 208% above compared with its three-month average of 19 million shares. Aurora Innovation went public in 2021 and has fallen 41% since its IPO. How the markets moved today The S&P 500 (^GSPC +1.02%) rose 1.02% to finish Thursday at 7,209, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +0.89%) gained 0.89% to close at 24,892. Among autonomous vehicle technology peers, Alphabet (GOOGL +10.06%) closed at $381.94 (+9.97%) and Tesla (TSLA +2.45%) finished at $381.63 (+2.37%), reflecting strong interest in advanced mobility platforms. What this means for investors Aurora Innovation shares climbed after the company and Hirschbach Motor Lines announced a non-binding plan to scale up to 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks for Hirschbach’s autonomous fleet, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027. The proposed deployment envisions up to 500 million driverless miles and a multi-year revenue opportunity in the hundreds of millions of dollars, while final commercial terms remain subject to binding agreements. The announcement gives Aurora a clearer path from early freight operations toward commercial autonomous trucking, but the stock’s next test is whether these plans translate into binding commitments and actual revenue from delivering paid, driverless miles. Future updates on binding customer commitments, actual truck deployments, and paid driverless miles on commercial routes will determine whether the Hirschbach plan becomes a sustainable and repeatable source of revenue.
Ryder System's Q1 bolstered by contractual sales
Dive Brief: - Ryder System posted stronger-than-expected Q1 results, buoyed largely by momentum in its contractual sales portfolio, according to its April 23 earnings report. - CEO John Diez said during an earnings call that more than 90% of Ryder’s revenue now comes from long-term contracts, with contractual sales in the quarter reaching some of the most robust levels the transportation company has seen in recent years. - “That really gave us some confidence and encouragement that, ‘Hey, customers are coming back in. They're looking to add fleet and make commitments,’” Diez said. Dive Insight: Ryder entered 2026 facing a mixed operating environment, but its contract-heavy business model helped deliver stability in Q1 and offered signs of resilience in a still-soft freight market. The company reported Q1 operating revenue of $1 billion, flat year over year, a result of new business in omnichannel retail as well as lost business and lower volumes in automotive. Expanding contracts with existing customers — representing about 80% of the sales growth last year — insulated the company from shifting dynamics in other business segments. However, there’s at least one market condition that is creating tailwinds for Ryder’s dedicated and fleet management segments: truck driver shortages across the industry. Trucking employment fell by about 27,500 jobs from January 2025 to January 2026, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows, tightening labor availability and potentially pushing more customers to outsourced fleet solutions. “We have seen a number of inquiries and the level of commitment and activity from customers to sign up for longer-term contracts up in the quarter, which was very encouraging,” Diez said during the earnings call. “So clearly, there are signs out there that we are seeing pressure on that side that's going to bring more demand for us.” As freight conditions recover, Ryder expects
California to allow police to ticket driverless cars, update rules for <b>autonomous trucks</b>
California to allow police to ticket driverless cars, update rules for autonomous trucks FILE - Associated Press reporter Michael Liedtke sits in the back of a Cruise driverless taxi that picked him up in San Francisco's Mission District, Feb. 15, 2023. California's Department of Motor Vehicles on Tuesday, Oct. 24, immediately suspended operation of Cruise's driverless robotaxis in San Francisco, citing public safety after one of its cars ran over a person fatally struck by a vehicle driven by a human. (AP Photo/Terry Chea, File)
California to allow police to ticket driverless cars, update rules for <b>autonomous trucks</b>
California to allow police to ticket driverless cars, update rules for autonomous trucks SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FOX26) — California law enforcement will soon be able to issue traffic citations to autonomous vehicles, including for moving violations, even when no human driver is inside. Beginning July 1, police can cite autonomous vehicle companies and enforce new limits intended to keep driverless cars out of the way during emergencies. [RELATED] Americans see driverless cars coming, but most want to keep control behind the wheel The California Department of Motor Vehicles has also updated regulations for driverless big rigs, a move that drew sharp criticism from Teamsters California. “Yesterday, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) made a rushed and reckless decision to change the rules and open the door to 80,000-pound driverless trucks to operate on California roads,” Teamsters California said. In a statement on the DMV rules change, Teamsters California co-chairs Peter Finn and Victor Mineros said, “Make no mistake: this is just the beginning of Teamsters California's fight for good jobs and safety on our roads. The DMV's decision to rush forward with driverless heavy-duty trucks is reckless, and we will use every tool necessary to stop it-including taking this fight to the courts.” They also criticized the process behind the change, saying, “We have been clear from the start: a change this sweeping should be handled through the Legislature, in the open, with real transparency and accountability. Instead, the DMV is acting like an unaccountable agency making major public policy behind closed doors.”
Codelco Andina Purchases 18 Cat 798AC <b>Trucks</b> for Platform 3700
Open-Pit Mining's Quiet Revolution: Why Payload Capacity Is Now the Primary Growth Lever Across the world's largest open-pit copper mines, a quiet but consequential shift is underway. As orebody depths increase, haul distances lengthen, and greenfield development timelines stretch across decades, major producers are discovering that the most reliable path to near-term output growth runs not through new mines, but through the machines already moving ore. Payload capacity, once a secondary engineering consideration, has become the central variable in how copper producers plan, budget, and compete in a tightening supply environment. Few recent developments illustrate this logic more clearly than Codelco Andina purchases 18 Cat 798AC trucks at its Andean open-pit operation, bringing the active fleet at Platform 3700 to 57 units total. The move is worth examining not just as a procurement decision, but as a window into the operational philosophy reshaping copper mining across Latin America and beyond. When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first The Compounding Problem of Aging Equipment at High-Altitude Mines Fleet lifecycle management in large-scale open-pit mining is rarely straightforward. Equipment deteriorates in ways that are difficult to isolate from one another: aging haul trucks create longer maintenance windows, which reduce fleet availability, which forces remaining units to operate harder, which accelerates degradation further. The cycle compounds. At high-altitude operations like Codelco Andina, these pressures intensify. The Andina division sits within the Chilean Andes at significant elevation, where lower atmospheric oxygen density affects engine combustion efficiency, extended descent gradients place sustained thermal stress on braking systems, and the logistics of servicing remote equipment are inherently more constrained than at lower-altitude operations. When aging equipment intersects with these conditions, the throughput penalties accumulate across every shift. For mine planners, the calculus eventually becomes straightforward. Replacing or supplementing an aging fleet with higher-payload modern
California lawmakers open the gate for <b>autonomous trucks</b> in the state
The California Department of Motor Vehicles this week adopted new regulations that pave the way for autonomous trucks to test and deploy statewide, as well as expand safety and oversight requirements for all self-driving vehicles. The California DMV’s new rules allow autonomous trucking companies to apply for a testing permit. They also require companies to demonstrate the safety of their technologies. Prior to the rule change, the state prohibited autonomous vehicles (AVs) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 lb. (4,536.3 kg) or more from operating on roads. “California continues to lead the nation in the development and adoption of AV technology, and these updated regulations further demonstrate the state’s commitment to public safety,” stated Steve Gordon, director of the California DMV. “These updates support the growth of the AV industry by enhancing public safety and transparency while adding additional accountability for AV manufacturers.” Heavy-duty AVs must still stop at California Highway Patrol weigh stations and comply with all applicable state and federal commercial motor vehicle requirements, the DMV noted. Chamber of Progress welcomes rules for autonomous trucks “This is a long-overdue step forward for the state that pioneered self-driving tech,” said Robert Singleton, the senior director for California of the Chamber of Progress. “California families and businesses will benefit from the lower costs, more resilient supply chains, and safer highways that autonomous trucks will deliver.” The Chamber of Progress is a trade group that represents technology companies on issues such as antitrust law, content moderation, and self-driving cars. It noted that researchers have found that autonomous trucks could increase the number of U.S. jobs by as many as 35,000. DMV rolls out new regulations for all AVs In addition to opening roads to heavy vehicles, the California DMV updated regulations for all autonomous vehicles operating in the
Hirschbach Motor Lines will buy 500 <b>autonomous truck</b> systems | DC Velocity
Refrigerated truckload carrier Hirschbach Motor Lines today announced a plan in which it will soon operate 500 autonomous trucks controlled by self-driving vehicle technology from Pittsburgh-based Aurora Innovation Inc. Hirschbach’s expansion strategy anchors on a hybrid network where autonomous trucks handle long-haul routes, allowing traditional drivers to focus on shorter hauls that get them home daily. Iowa-based Hirschbach currently operates a fleet of 3000+ trucks, 5,500+ trailers, and multiple terminal locations. Under the new plan, it will obtain 500 units of Aurora’s “Aurora Driver” systems to operate some of those trucks, with delivery beginning in 2027. The carrier will subscribe to Aurora’s Driver as a Service (DaaS) model, which delivers mutual value for customers and Aurora. Customers have control and ownership over assets in DaaS, allowing them to maximize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings while Aurora benefits from an expected high-margin and capital-efficient business. "The Aurora Driver will provide consistent 24/7 service to our customers, making it an important growth lever for our business,” said Richard Stocking, CEO of Hirschbach Motor Lines. “But autonomy isn't just a business move – it’s a quality-of-life investment for our people. The Aurora Driver will handle the lengthier, less desirable routes, providing our drivers with greater flexibility. It’s a win-win.” The deal expands on an existing relatiipnship between the two companies, as Aurora recently transitioned to driverless deliveries to Laredo, Texas, to support one of Hirschbach’s key customers. The carrier itself is also a key customer on Aurora’s 1,000-mile route between Fort Worth and Phoenix, a critical link for the carrier’s coast-to-coast business. To date, the Aurora Driver has driven more than 800,000 miles while delivering over 2,000 loads for Hirschbach.
Hirschbach Motor Lines says it will deploy 500 Aurora <b>autonomous trucks</b>
Hirschbach Motor Lines says it will deploy 500 Aurora autonomous trucks Aurora Innovation and Hirschbach Motor Lines say they plan to significantly expand their autonomous trucking partnership, with Hirschbach expected to deploy 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks across its network. The companies announced on April 30 that they have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining a path toward the refrigerated carrier purchasing 500 autonomous trucks beginning in 2027. Final commercial terms are expected to be completed later this year. Aurora said the agreement could ultimately support 500 million driverless miles and generate “hundreds of millions of dollars” in revenue through its Driver-as-a-Service (DaaS) business model. “The Aurora Driver will provide consistent 24/7 service to our customers, making it an important growth lever for our business,” said Richard Stocking, CEO of Hirschbach Motor Lines. “But autonomy isn’t just a business move — it’s a quality-of-life investment for our people. The Aurora Driver will handle the lengthier, less desirable routes, providing our drivers with greater flexibility. It’s a win-win.” Aurora co-founder and CEO Chris Urmson said early deployments have encouraged fleets to accelerate adoption plans. “When early adopters see the benefits the Aurora Driver delivers for their business and their drivers, they don’t just stay the course — they scale quickly,” Urmson said. “The industry is primed for this product, and our momentum toward meaningful commercial revenue is hitting a new gear.” Under Aurora’s DaaS model, fleets own and operate the trucks while subscribing to Aurora’s autonomous driving platform. Aurora says the structure allows carriers to maintain control over assets and maximize total cost of ownership savings while providing the company with recurring revenue. The trucks are expected to operate primarily on high-volume Sun Belt freight lanes. Aurora recently expanded driverless operations to Laredo, Texas, supporting one of Hirschbach’s major customers. Hirschbach is
PlusAI Scraps Plans for Public Listing a Second Time - TT
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.] PlusAI Scraps Plans for Public Listing a Second Time Autonomous Truck Developer Seeks More Favorable Market Conditions Staff Reporter Key Takeaways: - PlusAI and Churchill Capital Corp IX dissolved their planned Nasdaq SPAC merger April 21, marking PlusAI’s second failed public-listing attempt. - The deal had valued PlusAI at $1.2 billion, down from a 2021 Hennessy SPAC transaction that valued it at $3.3 billion. - PlusAI plans another funding round as it pursues a 2027 commercial launch of factory-built autonomous trucks using SuperDrive software. PlusAI’s plans to go public fell through for a second time, with the self-driving truck software developer citing a need for more favorable market conditions. PlusAI announced April 21 that plans to merge with Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company Churchill Capital Corp IX were being dissolved by mutual agreement. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Plus and the SPAC, controlled by former investment banker Michael Klein, originally announced plans for the merger in June 2025 at a valuation of $1.2 billion. The deal with an affiliate of the same investment group that took automaker Lucid Motors public marked a second attempt to go public. In 2021, the company was known simply as Plus and announced plans to list via a merger with another SPAC, Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. V, in a deal that valued the company at $3.3 billion. That combination was dissolved in November 2021. After the latest plans to go public fell apart, PlusAI stressed that it had “significant commercial momentum and remains strongly positioned for long-term growth.” PlusAI partners with manufacturers including Traton Group’s International Motors, Scania and MAN divisions, along with Iveco and Hyundai. Since the start of 2026, PlusAI has expanded its partnerships with Traton and Iveco. Traton committed up to $25 million
California's new AV rules give police power to cite <b>driverless</b> vehicles for moving violations ...
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced the adoption of several significant new autonomous vehicle (AV) regulations. On April 28, 2026, the California DMV announced the approval of new AV regulations applying to both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. Some of the new rules go into effect immediately, while others will be phased in over the months to come. California Increases AV Vehicle Oversight & Enforcement California’s new AV rules include increased enforcement of both heavy-duty and light-duty autonomous vehicles. Under the new rules, law enforcement may cite AV companies for moving violations committed by their vehicles. Specifically, police may issue a Notice of AV Noncompliance to manufacturers when an AV commits a moving violation, “enhancing visibility and accountability for AV traffic law compliance,” according to state officials. AV companies are also required to respond to first responder calls within 30 seconds and to provide access to manual vehicle override systems. The new AV rules also authorize local emergency officials to create temporary “do not enter” or “restricted area” zones in response to a public safety issues in order to clear AVs from active emergency zones. Also in an effort to increase AV oversight, the new regulations will allow the California DMV to “impose targeted operational restrictions on AV manufacturers — including fleet size, location, speed and weather limits — when necessary for public safety.’ Heavy-Duty Autonomous Trucks Cleared For Deployment On California Roads Officials say that AV manufacturers are now allowed to apply for permits to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous vehicle technology on California roadways under the new AV rules. Officials say the new rule “removes the prohibition on operating AVs with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more, opening the California market to AV freight operations. Heavy-duty AVs must still stop at CHP
<b>Driverless</b> cars can be ticketed under new DMV rules
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<b>Autonomous</b> Electric <b>Truck</b> Lineup : Financing Round
Deepway Announces Its $310 Million Pre-IPO Financing Round Edited by Adam Harrie — April 29, 2026 — Autos This article was written with the assistance of AI. References: thenextweb DeepWay, the Baidu-backed Hefei firm, closed a $310 million pre-IPO financing round as it prepared for a Hong Kong listing, introducing its intelligent electric heavy-duty truck lineup featuring built-in electric platforms and integrated autonomy. The company designed vehicles from the ground up for electric powertrains and layered Baidu's Apollo stack with its own driver assistance and platooning systems. Its technology stack includes Tianji Suixing, a subscription driver-assistance system standard across the fleet, and Tianji Yanxing, a higher-autonomy platooning system already in commercial cargo runs; DeepWay reported roughly 6,400 deliveries through June 2025 while remaining unprofitable as it scales. Investors in the latest tranche included Stone Venture, NGS Super and Xiamen Guosheng Fund, with existing backers increasing stakes. For fleet operators, DeepWay’s purpose-built electric trucks promise lower emissions and operational efficiency via software-driven features and platooning; the fresh capital will fund R&D and overseas expansion into markets across Asia and Oceania, aligning with a broader shift toward decarbonized freight. Image Credit: Shutterstock/sh99 Its technology stack includes Tianji Suixing, a subscription driver-assistance system standard across the fleet, and Tianji Yanxing, a higher-autonomy platooning system already in commercial cargo runs; DeepWay reported roughly 6,400 deliveries through June 2025 while remaining unprofitable as it scales. Investors in the latest tranche included Stone Venture, NGS Super and Xiamen Guosheng Fund, with existing backers increasing stakes. For fleet operators, DeepWay’s purpose-built electric trucks promise lower emissions and operational efficiency via software-driven features and platooning; the fresh capital will fund R&D and overseas expansion into markets across Asia and Oceania, aligning with a broader shift toward decarbonized freight. Image Credit: Shutterstock/sh99 Electric trucks and driver-assist: fleet adoption signals
BelAZ Launches Hydrogen <b>Autonomous Truck</b> JV in Russia
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 News Investors Research Consulting Knowledge Contact Hydrogen Mobility BelAZ Establishes Joint Venture In Russia For Hydrogen And Autonomous Dump Trucks By Fuel Cells Works April 29, 2026 at 11:29 AM EDT Listen
Washington, DC considers <b>driverless</b> rideshare expansion citywide
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Cheaper, cleaner electric <b>trucks</b> overhaul China's logistics
Charging, swapping networks tilt logistics economics toward electric fleets At a dusty lot an hour outside Beijing, a steady stream of vehicles come and go for a quick battery charge -- just one node in China's rapidly expanding network of electric trucks. While the country's prowess in electric passenger vehicles has long been known globally, electric trucks have only recently gained traction. Now powered by extensive charging and battery-swapping infrastructure, the cost structures clearly favour electric models, experts say, in a potentially fatal blow for conventional diesel rigs. "Last year was the breakthrough for heavy electrified vehicles in China," Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and expert on China's energy consumption, told AFP. "If the infrastructure is there, the economics are there for an increasing number of logistics routes and requirements," he said. Adoption of alternatives to diesel trucks in the world's second-largest economy has noticeably accelerated in recent years. New-energy models accounted for 29 percent of all domestic truck sales in China last year, up from 14 percent in 2024, according to data from Beijing-based market intelligence provider Commercial Vehicle World. The penetration rate was less than one percent as recently as 2021, according to the firm. Manufacturers say they expect that share to continue swelling, potentially reaching a majority of sales in just a few years. At the bustling charging station in Beijing's Miyun District, 43-year-old truck driver Wang told AFP how his job had changed since he started driving an electric model last year. "It's such a breeze!" he said after plugging in the charging cables. "My old vehicle had over 10 gears, and its operation was so cumbersome. But with this one, you don't have to do a thing -- it's all automatic." Asked why he thought logistics firms
Ryder opens Huntsville, Ala., facility to support growing Alabama freight corridor
Ryder opens Huntsville, Ala., facility to support growing Alabama freight corridor Ryder System has opened a new commercial truck rental and maintenance facility in the Huntsville, Ala., area as it expands its presence across the Southeast. The 10,000 sq.-ft. facility is located in Madison, near Interstate 565 and about seven miles from I-65, positioning it close to major manufacturing and logistics operations in northern Alabama. The site includes four drive-through maintenance bays, a half-bay, trailer parking, fueling services, rental operations and mobile maintenance support. “This expansion underscores Ryder’s commitment to supporting customers in high-growth manufacturing and logistics markets,” said Tom Havens, president of fleet management solutions at Ryder. “Huntsville’s strong infrastructure and accelerating activity across automotive, aerospace, and government operations make it a natural fit for expanding our service footprint.” Ryder said the location is designed to support fleet customers operating in automotive manufacturing, food distribution, aerospace and government-related freight markets. The company also highlighted technology integrated into the facility, including RyderGyde fleet management tools and self-service check-in systems intended to provide customers with real-time diagnostics and maintenance updates. The site includes: - 24/7 self-service fueling - 160 parking spaces with trailer parking - Driver lounge and rental counter - Commercial truck rental and leasing services - On-site and mobile maintenance support 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.
Cops can ticket <b>driverless</b> cars now | The San Francisco Standard
Driverless cars in California are no longer exempt from traffic citations, and the companies that own them now face serious consequences for letting them drive into the scene of an active emergency. The DMV announced the rules on Tuesday as part of a litany of new autonomous vehicle regulations — some inspired by cases where robotaxis obstructed police and firefighters in San Francisco, and at least one local incident in which a San Bruno cop couldn’t ticket a Waymo for an illegal U-turn. Under the updated policies, which the DMV called the most comprehensive to date in the U.S., manufacturers can also get permits to deploy heavy-duty driverless vehicles on California roadways. “California continues to lead the nation in the development and adoption of AV technology, and these updated regulations further demonstrate the state’s commitment to public safety,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a news release Tuesday evening. “These updates support the growth of the AV industry by enhancing public safety and transparency while adding additional accountability for AV manufacturers.” The provisions for how authorities can respond in emergency situations aim to prevent the kind of obstruction SF saw just before Christmas when Waymos stalled in city streets during a PG&E blackout. DMV’s new regulations require driverless car companies to respond to first-responder calls within 30 seconds. They also authorize local officials to geofence the cars from active emergency zones, and to order vehicles already in a restricted area to leave. If a company violates those directives, they risk getting their permits suspended or revoked. Remote operators are held to a higher standard under the new rules as well, having to undergo licensing and permitting before they can control a driverless vehicle. Meanwhile, the DMV expects companies to report more data about safety metrics and system failures, including vehicle
Mariana Minerals Restarts a Utah Copper Mine as the World's First Fully <b>Autonomous</b> Operation
La Sal, Utah — April 27, 2026 The wind was already ripping across the high desert when the crowd gathered at the rim. Investors in safety vests stood next to county commissioners. Federal officials from Washington squinted into the sun alongside engineers barely old enough to remember when this mine last ran. Everyone had been handed two things: a foam earplugs and a sticker that read "I ♥ explosives." Governor Spencer Cox and Mariana Minerals CEO Turner Caldwell were on the edge of the freshly-built stage overlooking the mine, holding a detonator. At 2:30 in the afternoon, they pushed the button. A moment later, the floor of the open pit at Copper One rippled — a low, rolling percussion you felt in your chest before you heard it — and a massive plume of dust and rock rose into the Utah sky. Someone had added blue dye to the explosive charge, probably tannerite. The blue cloud bloomed vivid and unmistakable against the darkened sky over the La Sal Mountains — the same range that gives the nearest town its name, and that miners and ranchers in this country have been looking up at for more than a century. A voice from somewhere in the crowd shouted: "It's a boy!" The crowd laughed. And in the laughter, something real happened: a room full of people who spend their lives talking about supply chains and critical minerals and national security suddenly looked like exactly what they were — people who had just watched something ancient and powerful come back to life. "It felt good to push the button," Cox told me a few minutes later, still grinning. "It felt even better when we saw it worked. Because that's representative — it's representative of more jobs for Utah, more families that get to