[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
Apr 29, 2026 · via ttnews.com
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
Apr 29, 2026 · via cdllife.com
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Apr 29, 2026 · via sfchronicle.com
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
Apr 29, 2026 · via trendhunter.com
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Apr 29, 2026 · via youtube.com
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
Apr 29, 2026 · via gulfnews.com
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.
Apr 29, 2026 · via trucknews.com
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
Apr 29, 2026 · via sfstandard.com
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
Apr 28, 2026 · via techbuzznews.com
Belarus, Russia launch ROBLEX JV for hydrogen autonomous mining trucks
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Apr 28, 2026 · via qcintel.com
Download Electrically into the Future: Gebrüder Weiss Sets New Benchmarks in Heavy-Duty Transport with 14 eActros 600 Trucks Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Lauterach (Austria) – Since the end of 2025, Austrian logistics provider Gebrüder Weiss has been operating fourteen Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric trucks. The vehicles are deployed in daily general cargo, scheduled line-haul and long-distance operations at the company’s locations in Vienna, Pöchlarn, Wels and Hall in Tyrol, as well as at its headquarters in Lauterach. At Gebrüder Weiss, the eActros… Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Lauterach (Austria) – Since the end of 2025, Austrian logistics provider Gebrüder Weiss has been operating fourteen Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric trucks. The vehicles are deployed in daily general cargo, scheduled line-haul and long-distance operations at the company’s locations in Vienna, Pöchlarn, Wels and Hall in Tyrol, as well as at its headquarters in Lauterach. At Gebrüder Weiss, the eActros 600 is used both in regional transport and in more demanding line-haul and long-distance operations. This is made possible by the company’s own charging infrastructure. “The eActros 600 is a true game changer. It proves that electric trucks are no longer a vision of the future, but a reality – not only in distribution transport, but also in national and international long-distance haulage,” says Jens Tittel, Managing Director of Daimler Truck Austria. “A successful transformation requires the right products, a reliable charging infrastructure and customers who are willing to lead the way. We would like to thank Gebrüder Weiss for its investments and its clear commitment to CO₂‑neutral transport solutions.” For more than 500 years, Gebrüder Weiss has stood for continuity across generations and for the ambition to continuously rethink logistics. Precisely because sustainable business practices do not begin today but must be designed for the long term, the company adopted e‑mobility in heavy-duty transport at an early stage. “A company can
Apr 28, 2026 · via daimlertruck.com
Editor’s note: This story is part of an interview series highlighting women — who make up 40% of the supply chain workforce — shaping logistics, procurement and operations. Finding a mentor who will speak up and advocate on your behalf is critical for accelerating a supply chain career, according to Olivia Hu, senior director of autonomous trucking and electrification at Uber Freight. Hu has worked at Uber for more than seven years, starting with business development and strategy before transitioning to leadership roles at Uber Freight, per her LinkedIn profile. During that time, Hu worked to provide strong results and gain the trust of company leaders. Having such a strong base of mentors and supporters within her network has been key to her career development. “Make sure to recognize your voice is important and it should be heard." Olivia Hu Senior Director of Autonomous Trucking and Electrification, Uber Freight At its core, finding a mentor requires building a bond of two-way trust, often over a multiyear process, Hu said. She added that leaders want to tap into the talent of “rising stars” with aligned incentives. “They want to help you and because it ultimately helps them as well,” she said in an interview with Supply Chain Dive. In Hu’s case, her initial mentor at Uber Freight was her manager. Once he saw that she was equipped to deliver results, he trusted her with more responsibility. This opened up new opportunities, including more engagement with company leadership and invitations to speak at conferences. But working hard is just one part of the puzzle. Being able to demonstrate and showcase that work so it is visible across the organization is also important, Hu said. This requires speaking up, she said, noting that the person with most control in a room is often
Apr 28, 2026 · via supplychaindive.com
Autonomous Aircraft Market Is Going to Boom | Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin Worldwide Market Reports has released an in-depth study titled "Autonomous Aircraft Market Size and Forecast 2026-2033: By Manufacturers, Regions, Types, and Applications." This research is built on a robust blend of primary interviews and validated secondary data, delivering a reliable and forward-looking analysis of the global market landscape.The report provides a data-driven evaluation of historical trends alongside future projections, offering a clear view of how the Autonomous Aircraft market is expected to evolve in terms of revenue and volume. It highlights critical growth drivers, emerging opportunities, potential risks, and structural challenges-enabling senior decision-makers to align business strategies with market realities. To strengthen strategic insights, the study integrates SWOT analysis and Porter's Five Forces framework, offering a deeper understanding of competitive intensity, supplier-buyer dynamics, and barriers to entry. Additionally, it delivers a comprehensive breakdown of regional performance, market share distribution, and segment-level opportunities, supporting informed expansion and investment decisions. ➤ Get the Sample Copy of the Report at: https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/1037080 ➤ Competitive Landscape of the Market: This report presents a detailed view of the competitive ecosystem, profiling key industry players and analyzing their recent developments, leadership moves, partnerships, and innovation strategies. It further evaluates: • Investment patterns and capital allocation trends • Go-to-market and branding strategies • Product innovation pipelines and differentiation approaches These insights help leadership teams benchmark competitors, identify disruptive trends, and uncover strategic growth levers within the Autonomous Aircraft market. ➤ Autonomous Aircraft Market Segments: By Types: • Commercial Aviation • Cargo and Freight Transport • Military and Defense • Agricultural Aviation • Emergency Medical Services • Surveillance and Reconnaissance • Tourism and Leisure • Research and Development. By Applications: • Cargo Transport • Aerial Surveillance • Agricultural Monitoring • Search and Rescue Operations • Infrastructure Inspection
Apr 28, 2026 · via openpr.com
Chinese trucking company DeepWay (深向) has drawn fresh capital as it looks to expand its horizons into new markets. The heavy-duty driverless truck maker has raised more than $310 million in an expanded pre-IPO round, backed by UAE-based Stone Venture and Australia’s NGS Super. The funding signals rising global appetite for China’s autonomous driving technology, particularly as companies start eyeing life beyond domestic testbeds and sizing up the green grass of global freight corridors. DeepWay is positioning itself around fixed-route, short-haul bulk transport — a segment that accounts for roughly 40% to 50% of China’s road freight volume and is widely seen to be the most commercially viable entry point for autonomy. These routes are predictable, repeatable, easy to map, and all that makes them a natural proving ground for scaling driverless systems. Founded by Baidu and logistics firm Lionbridge, DeepWay has already begun deploying platooning operations across regions including Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, while continuing to test fully driverless capabilities. Its hybrid approach – a combination of assisted driving with gradual automation – reflects another industry trend: incremental rollouts rather than full autonomy from day one. The company’s commercial footprint is also expanding. According to its Hong Kong IPO filing, DeepWay had delivered around 6,400 new-energy heavy trucks by mid-2025, generating RMB 1.97 billion (about US $288 million) in revenue in 2024. In spite of these rosy looking numbers, the company is still working at a loss. It’s not the only firm to be doing so in and industry where investment in R&D and infrastructure continues to climb. Competition is also intensifying. Rivals such as KargoBot and Zeron Truck have also secured fresh funding this year, pointing to a broader investor consensus: autonomous trucking is moving out of the experimental phase. With hardware costs falling, infrastructure improving, and regulations
Apr 28, 2026 · via daoinsights.com
BelAZ, together with Belarusian company “InDev Solutions” and RT-Business Development LLC, part of the Rostec state corporation, has established a joint venture “Roblex” in Moscow.
According to the Belarusian manufacturer’s press service, the new enterprise will focus on integrating комплексные решения in hydrogen-powered and autonomous mining dump trucks into Russia’s mining industry.
“Within the framework of joint work, the Belarusian side will focus on the production of dump trucks and the development of specialized software, while the Russian side will ensure seamless integration of these innovative solutions into mining enterprises. Joint efforts are aimed at creating a unified platform that will promote the development and implementation of artificial intelligence, telemetry, and hydrogen energy technologies,” the press service said.
“Roblex” will carry out several tasks:
Apr 28, 2026 · via reform.news
Hyundai Motor, Autonomous A2Z, and RideFlux Join Gwangju Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration City Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Transportation Safety Authority: Selection by Public Recruitment, Document and On-site Evaluation Autonomous Vehicles Now Permitted to Operate Across All 500 km² of Gwangju Hyundai Motor Company, Autonomous A2Z, and RideFlux have agreed to develop autonomous driving technology using dedicated vehicles in the Gwangju Autonomous Driving Demonstration City. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on April 28 that it had selected the three companies through a process of public recruitment and evaluation that began in February. The selected companies are expected to begin full-scale data collection as early as the second half of this year, utilizing 200 specially manufactured vehicles designed for the development of E2E autonomous driving technology by Hyundai Motor Company. Hyundai Motor Company is simultaneously developing Level 2+ driver assistance technology for B2C purposes and Level 4 fully autonomous driving technology, which operates without driver intervention, for the B2B sector. The company aims to enhance the Atria AI of its subsidiary 42dot and install it in vehicles sold domestically and internationally. On October 28, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, autonomous shuttles are operating around the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center. 2025.10.28 Photo by Kang Jinhyung View original imageAutonomous A2Z has developed its own autonomous shuttle, Roy, which operates without a driver's seat and is conducting test drives throughout urban areas. The company is recognized as having the most extensive experience in autonomous driving services in Korea, operating autonomous shuttles or demand-responsive transit (DRT) vehicles in 14 local governments nationwide. RideFlux is set to conduct the first unmanned autonomous vehicle demonstration in Korea. Currently, test drivers are seated in the passenger seat during operations, but the company plans to switch to fully unmanned operations in
Apr 28, 2026 · via asiae.co.kr
South Korea's leading mobility platform, Kakao Mobility is accelerating the commercial rollout of Level 4 autonomous driving, placing artificial intelligence at the center of a "physical AI" strategy that spans vehicles, robotics, and platform infras...
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Apr 28, 2026 · via digitimes.com
- United States - / - Software - / - NasdaqGS:AUR Are Aurora Innovation's (AUR) Beacon Trials Quietly Reframing Its Autonomous Freight Safety Advantage? - Aurora Operations, Inc. previously applied to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a five-year exemption allowing its Level 4 autonomous trucks, and other similarly equipped fleets that opt in, to use cab‑mounted flashing amber beacons instead of traditional roadside warning triangles and fusees when stopped. - The request highlights how Aurora is actively testing alternative safety protocols at scale, using prior waiver experience over 500,000 collision‑free miles to argue that high‑mounted beacons can match or improve on legacy requirements while keeping humans out of live traffic lanes. - Next, we’ll examine how this push for beacon‑based safety standards on Level 4 trucks could influence Aurora’s long‑term autonomous freight investment narrative. Find 54 companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. Aurora Innovation Investment Narrative Recap To own Aurora, you have to believe that its autonomous freight network can grow from today’s tiny US$3,000,000 revenue base into a scaled, commercially viable platform before its cash runway runs out. The new beacon exemption request sits squarely in that execution story: it is an incremental regulatory step that supports safer driverless operations, but does not by itself change the near term catalyst of getting more trucks into paid service or the funding risk from ongoing heavy losses. One of the most relevant recent developments here is Aurora’s launch of a commercial self driving trucking service in Texas on the Dallas to Houston corridor, with plans to extend to El Paso and Phoenix. The push for FMCSA approval of cab mounted beacons connects directly to that rollout, since consistent, federally recognized safety procedures could matter for scaling driverless miles on long routes and, in
Apr 27, 2026 · via simplywall.st
As the trucking industry searches for solutions to persistent driver shortages, Western Star Trucks is leaning into a different strategy: elevating the profession itself. The OEM is emphasizing the skill, expertise, and pride required behind the wheel as a way to attract the next generation of drivers at its upcoming Star Nation event. From hauling critical materials to navigating rugged terrain and making split-second safety decisions, Western Star says professional truck operators perform complex, high-skill work that often goes unrecognized. “The people and the equipment working together are what makes this industry great,” said Alex Martin-Banzer, Western Star brand manager. “Star Nation celebrates the operators who take pride in their work, push their trucks further than anyone else, and show what trucking is really about -- keeping the world moving.” A Program Built to Celebrate Operators To support that mission, Western Star created the Star Nation Experience, an annual recognition program designed to bring together operators, dealers, and aspiring drivers. The fourth annual event is scheduled for June 5–8, 2026, in Bend, Oregon. The all-expenses-paid experience centers on competition, camaraderie, and the brand’s “Never Back Down” ethos. For 2026, the program will expand its focus on operator skill while broadening its reach across the trucking community. New elements include a head-to-head operator showdown, continued collaboration with American Truck Simulator (ATS), and deeper dealer participation. The centerpiece of the event is the new operator showdown, highlighting the precision and strategy required in professional trucking. Two returning participants will serve as team captains: Texas-based operator Ronald Byrd, a 2025 participant with 18 years in oilfield operations, and British Columbia’s Jarett Dorman, a 2023 participant with nearly two decades in crane operations. They will mentor teams through hands-on challenges and off-road scenarios designed to showcase real-world trucking expertise. Western Star is also continuing
Apr 27, 2026 · via truckinginfo.com