Uber Technologies Inc and self-driving technology company Aurora Innovation Inc will expand their driverless pilot program in Texas to meet increased delivery demand during the holidays.
The program will be expanded to the recently launched 600-mile commercial lane between Fort Worth and El Paso in Texas to support customers of the logistics business Uber Freight as it ships goods this holiday season, Aurora said on Friday.
Uber Freight is a platform that connects shippers who need goods moved with available truck drivers.
The companies launched their pilot program a year ago to transport goods autonomously between Dallas and Houston.
“We’re crafting Aurora Horizon to help carriers of all sizes alleviate some of the supply-chain pressures that typically accompany (holiday season),” Aurora co-founder Sterling Anderson said. Aurora Horizon is a truck-specific self-driving product.
Autonomous goods hauling has been seen as the future of logistics as it could increase truck utilization and boost transportation frequency between terminals.
Human truck drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours daily in the United States.
Aurora Innovation, which also counts FedEx Corp and Toyota Motor