• Aurora Innovation launched autonomous Class 8 trucks (SAE Level 4) on the Dallas-Houston route, powered by its Aurora Driver system, with no human intervention needed.
• The trucks feature advanced sensors, redundant systems and AI compliance checks. Aurora logged 3M+ test miles and shared safety protocols with regulators.
• Aurora collaborates with major logistics firms like Uber Freight and Hirschbach, having already transported goods for FedEx, Walmart and others during testing.
• The company aims to expand driverless operations to El Paso and Phoenix by late 2025.
• Unions like the Teamsters oppose autonomous trucks, citing job losses and safety risks. They support Nevada’s SB 395, which mandates human operators in heavy trucks (passed Senate, now in Assembly review).

Aurora Innovation, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based autonomous vehicle startup, has launched the first commercial driverless heavy-duty trucking service along the busy Dallas-Houston corridor.

The autonomous Class 8 trucks, powered by its proprietary Aurora Driver system, operate at SAE Level 4 autonomy. Meaning, it can function without human intervention within designated routes.

Key safety features of the trucks include advanced sensors capable of detecting pedestrians up to 450 meters away and reacting 11 seconds faster than a human driver at highway speeds, redundant braking, steering and computing systems and a verifiable artificial intelligence (AI) framework to ensure compliance with traffic laws and emergency scenarios. Aurora also published a “Driverless Safety Report,” detailing protocols for cybersecurity, remote assistance and operational safeguards.

During the four-year pilot program, the company logged over three million miles and completed a formal safety case shared with federal and Texas regulators. The company has also already transported goods for major corporations like FedEx, Kroger, Tyson Foods and Walmart in its testing phase. (Related: Driverless trucks set to take over Texas roads and highways.)

Aurora’s launch partners include major logistics players like Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor Lines, both of which previously collaborated with Aurora on supervised pilot programs. The company plans to expand its driverless operations to El Paso and Phoenix by late 2025.

Labor unions: Commercial driverless trucking services threaten jobs and safety

While Aurora celebrates its technological breakthrough, labor unions are sounding the alarm. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has been vocal in opposing fully autonomous trucks, arguing they threaten jobs and safety.

In line with this, the Teamsters urged Nevada lawmakers in an April 8 statement to support Senate Bill 395, which would require human operators in all commercial trucks over 26,000 pounds.

“For Big Tech companies to think they can come into any state and replace the jobs of hardworking union members with this dangerous and inferior technology is an insult to professional drivers everywhere,” said Peter Finn, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7. “SB 395 is critical to protecting the middle class. That is why we are demanding that Nevada lawmakers vote in favor of this legislation.”

Tommy Blitsch, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 631 in Las Vegas, echoed a similar statement. He denounced the false claim of Big Tech companies that these vehicles “are safe and will improve our quality of life.”

“The people pushing for this technology falsely claim their vehicles are safe and will improve our quality of life. Nothing could be further from the truth. In every city where there is widespread deployment of driverless vehicles, we have seen exactly what we all thought would happen – gridlock, stalled vehicles and accidents,” Blitsch remarked.

Chris Griswold, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42, also said the same. “This technology is dangerous, and it puts the life of every professional driver we represent at risk. The Teamsters fully support SB 395 and call on all of Nevada’s leaders to pass this bill into law,” he said.

The bill passed the Nevada Senate on April 16 and is now under review in the Assembly.

Learn more about driverless cars at RoboCars.news.

Watch the video below to know more about AI-driven vehicles.

This video is from the Opposing the Matrix channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Chinese tech giant launches DRIVERLESS taxis in Beijing.

Declining battery costs may lead to cheaper electric freight trucks.

Malfunctioning driverless taxis disrupt the sleep of residents in San Francisco neighborhood.

Driverless Cruise robotaxi DRAGGED a woman pinned under it for 20 feet.

California DMV SUSPENDS Cruise’s driverless car permits for misrepresenting information on safety.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

FreightCaviar.com

Teamster.org

Brighteon.com