Here are the companies testing self-driving truck routes in Texas

It’s no secret that Texas has become a hot spot for autonomous vehicle testing.

Between your average car or a large Class 8 truck, companies across the country are using Texas as a testing ground for this new technology, which could change how freight is hauled.

Here’s a quick look at the companies testing routes in Texas.

Aurora

Aurora plans to deploy autonomous trucks on its Dallas-to-Houston route by the end of 2024. Aurora sees a bright future for testing its self-driving big rigs.

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There are three major milestones for Aurora’s plan.

The first is “feature complete,” meaning that all of the technological milestones needed for the vehicle to drive autonomously are achieved, from mapping to simulation. The Aurora Driver can do everything needed to change lanes, merge, and handle complex construction and road debris. Aurora reached this goal at the end of the company’s first quarter.

Second is what Aurora calls “Aurora Driver Ready,” meaning that, over the next few months, the company will evaluate safety repeatedly to ensure it’s ready for every potential obstacle and scenario. The company expects to achieve this by the end of 2023.

Finally, the commercial launch is expected in the latter half of 2024. This is when completely autonomous trucks will hit the roads, a fleet of approximately two dozen trucks, between Dallas and Houston.

Waymo

Waymo, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., opened a 9-acre facility for self-driving trucks in Lancaster last year. The company has pursued long-haul routes in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

Currently, Waymo is testing along the Interstate 45 route from Dallas to Houston, hauling freight for partners such as JB Hunt and Uber Freight. It’s also doing some autonomous ride-hailing testing in Austin.

Gatik

Gatik, a California-based autonomous trucking company, announced in March that it would be making multiple deliveries a day, seven days a week, for Kroger from its fulfillment center.

The company also has a Dallas route in partnership with century-old business equipment firm Pitney Bowes and a partnership with Georgia-Pacific and KBX Logistics for deliveries to 34 Sam’s Club locations in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Kodiak Robotics

Kodiak Robotics’ Texas fleet is based in Lancaster.

Kodiak runs a 24/7 operation, using autonomous technology with a safety driver behind the wheel monitoring the system. The company delivers about 50 loads a week between D-FW and Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Atlanta. It’s also working with commercial customers such as C.R. England, Tyson Foods, IKEA, Werner Enterprises, US Xpress and Forward.

Cruise

Cruise, a San Francisco-based company, expanded its operations to Dallas and Houston. It already offered services in Austin, Phoenix and San Francisco without a backup driver. The company plans to deploy the cars in Dallas this summer, with a safety driver.

TuSimple

TuSimple had operations set up in North Texas. In January, the company announced 76 layoffs in the area, citing a need to restructure the firm, which ultimately wiped out its Texas operations. The company is still testing near its facility in Tucson, but intends to expand into Texas at some point.