Waymo, Uber Freight Collaborate on Use of Autonomous Trucks

By Josh Beckerman

Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo is collaborating with Uber Freight, "unlocking a roadmap for the thoughtful and safe implementation of autonomous trucks on America's roads."

The Waymo Via trucking and local delivery business and the logistics platform owned by Uber Technologies Inc. said the agreement would include product integration and long-term capacity reservation.

The collaboration seeks to "provide a streamlined experience for onboarding, load booking and execution, trailer transfers, and payment while also enabling an ecosystem where human drivers and autonomous trucks can collaborate effortlessly."

The companies "envision a future where autonomous trucks tackle the long-haul portion of driving," easing some of the burden of higher freight demand while "enabling drivers to shift into short-haul jobs that enhance the occupation's quality of life."

In early 2022, Waymo announced collaborations with J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. and C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.

Trucking companies and retailers have said that driver shortages and higher costs have hurt results in recent quarters.

Waymo and Uber said their partnership "comes at a time of high fuel costs, a shortage of drivers, and rapidly increasing demand," and said "the future of the industry will rely on a combination of autonomously-driven trucks and human-driven trucks."

Write to Josh Beckerman at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 07, 2022 15:10 ET (19:10 GMT)

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