Waymo Exploring Self-Driving Trucks
Alphabet Inc.'s autonomous-driving unit Waymo is now also developing self-driving trucks, per published reports.
Waymo's fully self-driving Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan. Photo: Waymo
Waymo's fully self-driving Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan.Photo: Waymo
Alphabet Inc.'s autonomous-driving unit Waymo is now also developing self-driving trucks, per published reports.
Reuters has reported that Waymo expects autonomous vehicles to be in a position eventually to take over long-haul trucking, although human drivers would still cover local P&D routes.
“Self-driving technology can transport people and things much more safely than we do today and reduce the thousands of trucking-related deaths each year,” a Waymo spokesperson told BuzzFeed News. “We’re taking our eight years of experience in building self-driving hardware and software and conducting a technical exploration into how our technology can integrate into a truck.
According to its posted report, BuzzFeed News first learned of Waymo’s truck work through a photograph. Waymo then confirmed that it was testing a truck by manually driving the semi on a public road to collect data. The Waymo spokesperson also confirmed that the company is currently testing only one truck.
Related: Uber Fires Self-Driving Head at Center of Legal Battle
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
More Safety & Compliance
Navigating the Effects of Daylight Saving Time on Work Truck Fleets
Discover how daylight saving time impacts work truck fleets and get essential tips for fleet managers and drivers to navigate the "fall back" transition.
Read More →
How Halloween Changes the Job for Work Truck Drivers
Truck traffic doesn’t take the same Halloween break as other drivers. What fleet managers should know about timing, neighborhood stops, and braking data.
Read More →
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →From Our Partners
Re-rating Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR): Why and How it's Done
Sometimes, it is not in a fleet’s best interests to have a vehicle at a given GVWR. Changing the GVWR to a special value can be done, but the process is complicated.
Read More →
When a Work Truck Gets Stolen, the Real Loss Is Time
A stolen work truck can take more than a vehicle off the road. From tools and access cards to crew downtime, here’s how fleets can prepare for theft before it disrupts the entire workday.
Read More →
Volvo Trucks Marks 25 Years as Exclusive Sponsor of America's Road Team
Volvo Trucks North America will serve as the exclusive sponsor of the American Trucking Associations' America's Road Team, marking 25 years of Volvo sponsorship. The group of professional drivers promotes safety and the industry as they travel the country.
Read More →
Streamlight’s High-Output Scene Light Recognized with Occupational Safety Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III (PSL III) won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Fleetworthy Expands Expedited Inspection to 5 States
Following its industry-first launch in Nevada, Fleetworthy’s automated inspection technology is now live in California, Michigan, Vermont, and Maine.
Read More →
Crossing State Lines in a Light-Duty Work Truck? Check These Rules First
Crossing state lines in a lighter work truck? J.J. Keller's Kathy Close explains when IRP registration, trip permits, and towing rules come into play.
Read More →
Simple Tire Checks That Help Keep Your Business Fleet Moving
A survey found that nearly one in every 10 passenger vehicles has at least one bald tire. What's more, 27% -- more than one in four -- of vehicles are driven with one or more severely under-inflated tires.
Read More →