J.B. Hunt to Partner With Waymo on Autonomous Driving

By Will Feuer

Logistics and trucking company J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. said it will partner with Waymo, the self-driving vehicle unit of Google parent Alphabet Inc., in an effort to complete fully autonomous transportation in Texas in the next few years.

Last year, the two companies started a pilot project to explore how Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology could be integrated into J.B. Hunt's trucks. During that trial, Waymo and J.B. Hunt completed their first test runs moving freight along Texas' I-45, between Houston and Fort Worth, in a Waymo Via Class 8 truck equipped with the company's autonomous driving technology.

During the next phase, J.B. Hunt and Waymo said they will further analyze the operational capacity of Waymo Via's Class 8 truck.

"This strategic alliance will continue that momentum and further explore the intricate details that would make this a value-driven solution for customers," J.B. Hunt Chief Sustainability Officer Craig Harper said in a statement. "We believe autonomous driving technology will help us create the most efficient transportation network in North America, and our collaboration with Waymo Via is a pivotal step towards fulfilling that mission."

Write to Will Feuer at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 14, 2022 09:31 ET (14:31 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.