On Tuesday, Uber and Waymo, Google’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, announced a partnership to have driverless trucks moving cargo on US highways.
Companies see self-driving as a means to decrease costs and reduce risk because of the wide distances between American cities and the importance of truck transportation to the economy.
Waymo will integrate its technology with an Uber Freight platform that connects truckers with goods, similar to how Uber connects customers with rides via smartphone apps.
Waymo’s head of commercialization for trucking, Charlie Jatt, said in a statement that “Uber Freight´s network of shippers, carriers, and marketplace technology is a great match for the Waymo Driver,”
Carriers who purchase trucks with Waymo technologies will have the option of having them deployed as “autonomous assets” on the Uber Freight network, according to the firms.
The companies will also look into the possibility of establishing hubs where cargo can be quickly transferred from self-driving trucks to human truckers.
“Both companies envision a future where autonomous trucks tackle the long-haul portion of driving, easing some of the burdens of the increasing demand for freight while also enabling drivers to shift into short-haul jobs,” they said in the release.
However, before self-driving trucks are authorized on public roads and highways, they must pass a series of tests to assure their safety.
In a few US states, Waymo has started testing self-driving trucks.
“Uber Freight´s extensive, efficient, and reliable digital network is essential to making autonomous trucks a reality,” said unit head Lior Ron.
According to quarterly financial reports, the Freight unit has been consistently rising.
To read our blog on “Uber strengthens its post-pandemic platform,” click here.
