Driverless semis could be months away

Aurora, a startup focused on driverless technology for long-haul trucking, is preparing to conduct its first fully autonomous trip from Dallas to Houston within months. The company has invested seven years and hundreds of millions of dollars into developing its technology, which includes advanced sensors and redundant systems to ensure safety. Each truck is equipped with dual computers to prevent single points of failure, a critical consideration given the potential risks associated with operating a 40-ton vehicle without a human driver. The success of this initial trip could pave the way for widespread adoption of driverless trucks, addressing both the shortage of long-haul drivers and the high incidence of accidents involving large trucks. While Aurora has secured significant funding to continue its operations, the landscape for driverless trucking remains competitive, with other companies like Kodiak and Gatik also advancing their technologies. However, the industry has seen many startups fail to achieve commercial viability, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of these ventures. As Aurora moves forward, it will need to balance scaling its operations with maintaining safety standards.

- Aurora plans to conduct its first driverless trucking trip soon, aiming for a route between Dallas and Houston.

- The company has developed advanced safety features, including redundant systems to prevent failures.

- The driverless trucking market is competitive, with several startups vying for success.

- The potential for reducing accidents and addressing driver shortages makes this technology appealing.

- Previous startups in the sector have struggled, highlighting the challenges of achieving commercial viability.