Autonomous
Autonomous technologies now drive significant change in trucking and freight transportation. Transport Topics autonomous coverage provides a comprehensive look at that change. It provides the latest details on deployment concepts such as advanced driver-assist systems, transfer hubs, teleoperations, platooning and off-road automation and latest analysis of the companies who are manufacturing, adopting and investing in these technologies. Readers can follow the impact such deployment has on everything from policy and infrastructure initiatives to highway congestion, fuel consumption, fleet management, driver management and business investment.
US Drone Company Zipline Starts Delivering Medicine in Japan
TOKYO — Zipline, an American company that specializes in using autonomously flying drones to deliver medical supplies, has taken off in Japan.
Amazon to Invest $1 Billion in Logistics, Robotics Companies
Amazon.com Inc. says it plans to invest $1 billion in companies developing technologies in logistics, supply chain management and safety, as the retailer seeks to keep an eye on new ideas that might aid its core business.
Daimler’s Martin Daum: Autonomous Trucks Will Benefit Industry Without Threatening Jobs
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As autonomous trucks gradually move closer to commercialization, Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum sees this technology delivering a range of benefits for fleet customers and for society at large.
Tesla Q1 Earnings 7 Times More Than Year Ago
DETROIT — Tesla reported April 20 that its first-quarter net earnings were more than seven times greater than a year ago, powered by strong sales despite global supply chain kinks and pandemic-related production cuts in China.
Torc Demonstrates Progress on Road to Autonomous Trucking
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Self-driving truck developer Torc Robotics is expanding its on-road testing and industry partnerships to advance its mission to make hub-to-hub autonomous trucking a reality in the United States by the end of this decade.
Walmart Will Run Forklifts on ‘Green’ Hydrogen in Plug Power Deal
Plug Power Inc.’s bid to become a major supplier of carbon-free hydrogen just won the backing of one of the company’s oldest customers: Walmart Inc.
Rivian’s EV Factory Remains Constrained by Chip Shortage
Rivian Automotive Inc.’s “launch mode” is impressive — at least on its trucks. The assembly lines are perfectly capable of cruising speed; they just need more computer chips.
NHTSA Opens Two Defect Investigations Into Tesla Autopilot
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has the authority to force recalls, has opened two formal defect investigations that could ultimately lead Tesla Inc. to have to retrofit cars and restrict use of Autopilot in situations it still can’t safely handle.
Twitter Adopts ‘Poison Pill’ Defense in Musk Takeover Bid
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Twitter said April 15 that its board of directors has unanimously adopted a “poison pill” defense in response to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s proposal to buy the company for more than $43 billion and take it private.
Elon Musk Makes $43 Billion Bid to Take Twitter Private
Elon Musk has made a controversial offer to buy Twitter Inc., saying the company has extraordinary potential and he is the person to unlock it.