The Engineering Logic Behind Autonomous Electric Mining Haulage The mining industry does not transform in sudden leaps. It shifts through a sequence of compounding pressures: tightening safety mandates, labour market constraints, decarbonisation commitments, and the relentless economics of moving more material at lower cost per tonne. Autonomous haulage technology has been building against each of these pressures simultaneously, yet the sector has lacked a single cohesive model that brings electric drivetrain precision and field-validated autonomy software under one co-developed framework. Understanding why that gap exists, and how the Schaeffler and CiDi mining truck autonomy partnership attempts to close it, requires working through the engineering logic from the ground up. When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first Two Technology Pillars, One Structural Gap Most autonomous mining truck solutions on the market today sit in one of two categories: aftermarket autonomy kits retrofitted onto existing diesel platforms, or OEM-integrated systems where the truck manufacturer controls both hardware and software. Neither model is purpose-built for the convergence of electrification and autonomy as co-designed engineering disciplines. The partnership formalised between German automotive supplier Schaeffler and Chinese autonomous driving firm CiDi on April 29, 2026 targets this gap directly. Under the agreement, both companies are designated as strategic suppliers and preferred customers for one another, creating a bilateral commercial structure that incentivises sustained technical co-development rather than transactional engagement. Both organisations maintain operations in Changsha, China, a city increasingly recognised as a significant centre for intelligent transportation research and autonomous vehicle development in the country. The division of technical responsibility reflects each company's core competency: - Schaeffler contributes electric drive systems, mechatronics hardware, and the systems integration expertise needed to link drivetrain components into a cohesive, controllable platform. - CiDi contributes autonomous driving software built specifically for mining haul environments, including mixed-fleet management
May 2, 2026 · via discoveryalert.com.au
The Army has picked Carnegie Robotics as the winner of its program to integrate autonomous driving capability on heavy logistics trucks, with an aim to issue prototypes to a unit by mid-fiscal year 2027. Carnegie Robotics will now serve as the prime vendor on the Autonomous Transport Vehicle System (ATV-S) following the latest phase of the competitive development process that also included self-driving technology startup Forterra. The Army’s Capability Portfolio Executive (CPE) Mission Autonomy said Carnegie Robotics’ solution “demonstrated the… Recommended Textron Nabs DIU Award For Small USVs In Support Navy Experiment Trending Congress Updates Munitions Fired Represent Most of $25 Billion Spent By Pentagon on Iran War So Far Munitions fired in the two-month old “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran represent most of the $25 billion cost the Pentagon has incurred thus far in the conflict, the acting Defense […] Slotkin: Pentagon Should Use Anthropic’s Mythos To Spot Cyber Security Gaps The Pentagon should be using Anthropic‘s recently announced Mythos artificial intelligence model to spot gaps in cyber security, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said on Tuesda. “I think the thing that […] Budd And Shaheen Bill Would Authorize 329 F-15EX Fighters Two members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), have introduced the Airpower Acceleration Act, which would authorize multi-year procurements of […] HASC’s Wittman Sees ‘Challenging’ Push For $350B In Reconciliation Funds, Wants Sustained Defense Increase NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.– Congress’ work to pass $350 billion in reconciliation funds to support the Trump administration’s push for a $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2027 defense topline is “going to […]
May 1, 2026 · via defensedaily.com
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May 1, 2026 · via youtube.com
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May 1, 2026 · via youtube.com
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The California Department of Motor Vehicles has approved testing of heavy-duty autonomous vehicles, including semi-trucks, on the state's roads. William Hall, owner of Coyote Container at the Port of Oakland, supports the move. RELATED: Driverless cars can now get citations; autonomous trucks get testing green light in new CA DMV rules "I believe in technology providing more jobs for all of us, so I think it's a good thing with trucking," Hall said. "You ask any trucking company what their biggest problem is, it's usually the drivers. It's finding drivers, it's keeping drivers and it's keeping them safe and keeping them out of accidents. Those things are all, with automated trucks and driverless trucks, are easier to deal with." Teamsters California criticized the decision in a statement. "Make no mistake: this is just the beginning of Teamsters California's fight for good jobs and safety on our roads," the statement said. "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." WATCH: 'A Driverless Tomorrow': From farming to mining, self-driving trucks are how humans do basic tasks This week, for the first time, a driverless commercial truck delivered freight, completing a 230-mile route from Houston to Dallas on time. Timelapse video of that drive shows no one in the cab. The company, Bot Auto, argues that autonomous trucks are the future. Since there are no drivers, they don't face fatigue or need breaks, reducing overall costs. "We go where sometimes humans do not want to go. I-45 is very challenging. There's a lot of traffic," said Al Tete Xiao, VP of engineering at Bot Auto. Aurora, a Silicon Valley-based company, has been testing self-driving trucks in Texas since
May 1, 2026 · via abc7.com
The Ghost in the Machine: Autonomous Trucks, or When 80,000 Pounds of Freight Drives Itself The Ghost in the Machine: Autonomous Trucks, or When 80,000 Pounds of Freight Drives Itself The future of freight transportation arrived quietly in the dead of night on April 29, 2026, when a fully autonomous truck completed a 231-mile journey from the Houston area to Hutchins, Texas, carrying a commercial load. What made this run historic was not the distance or the cargo, but the absolute absence of human intervention. There was no safety driver behind the wheel, no in-cab observer monitoring the systems, and no remote operator guiding the vehicle via joystick. It was just pure artificial intelligence navigating an 80,000-pound machine through the complexities of Interstate 45. This milestone represents a monumental leap for the autonomous trucking industry, proving that driverless commercial freight is no longer a theoretical concept confined to test tracks. However, as we stand on the precipice of this technological revolution, we must ask ourselves: Are we truly ready to share our public highways with ghost trucks? The allure of efficiency and cost savings is undeniable, but the potential dangers and risks associated with fully autonomous commercial vehicles demand rigorous scrutiny. The Promise of the Driverless Highway To understand the momentum behind autonomous trucking, one must look at the staggering economic projections. The global autonomous truck market was valued at approximately $46.77 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach nearly $140 billion by 2033. Proponents argue that self-driving trucks could deliver up to $9 billion in annual consumer savings by 2035, driven by reduced fuel costs and increased operational efficiency. The recent Texas run was a stark demonstration of this potential. Departing shortly after 1:00 a.m. and arriving before 5:00 a.m., the truck completed the four-hour journey on schedule,
May 1, 2026 · via sacramentoinjuryattorneysblog.com
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May 1, 2026 · via youtube.com
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May 1, 2026 · via youtube.com
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The California Department of Motor Vehicles has approved testing of heavy-duty autonomous vehicles, including semi-trucks, on the state's roads. William Hall, owner of Coyote Container at the Port of Oakland, supports the move. RELATED: Driverless cars can now get citations; autonomous trucks get testing green light in new CA DMV rules "I believe in technology providing more jobs for all of us, so I think it's a good thing with trucking," Hall said. "You ask any trucking company what their biggest problem is, it's usually the drivers. It's finding drivers, it's keeping drivers and it's keeping them safe and keeping them out of accidents. Those things are all, with automated trucks and driverless trucks, are easier to deal with." Teamsters California criticized the decision in a statement. "Make no mistake: this is just the beginning of Teamsters California's fight for good jobs and safety on our roads," the statement said. "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." WATCH: 'A Driverless Tomorrow': From farming to mining, self-driving trucks are how humans do basic tasks This week, for the first time, a driverless commercial truck delivered freight, completing a 230-mile route from Houston to Dallas on time. Timelapse video of that drive shows no one in the cab. The company, Bot Auto, argues that autonomous trucks are the future. Since there are no drivers, they don't face fatigue or need breaks, reducing overall costs. "We go where sometimes humans do not want to go. I-45 is very challenging. There's a lot of traffic," said Al Tete Xiao, VP of engineering at Bot Auto. Aurora, a Silicon Valley-based company, has been testing self-driving trucks in Texas
May 1, 2026 · via abc7news.com
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May 1, 2026 · via youtube.com
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May 1, 2026 · via 13newsnow.com
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
May 1, 2026 · via theglobeandmail.com
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.
Apr 30, 2026 · via fool.com
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
Apr 30, 2026 · via truckingdive.com
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)
Apr 30, 2026 · via kmph.com
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.”
Apr 30, 2026 · via kmph.com
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
Apr 30, 2026 · via discoveryalert.com.au
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
Apr 30, 2026 · via therobotreport.com
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.
Apr 30, 2026 · via dcvelocity.com
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
Apr 30, 2026 · via trucknews.com