Like many companies, FedEx has been hampered by the nationwide labor shortage, which had a drastic effect on its earnings results in the first quarter. Its latest partnership, however, leans less on human workers — and more on automation.
FedEx is collaborating with Paccar, the Washington-based truck manufacturer, and Aurora, the California-based self-driving vehicle technology company, to launch a commercial pilot test of autonomous trucks in linehaul trucking operations.
“FedEx was built on innovation, and we always anticipate what’s next to be future-ready,” said Rebecca Yeung, FedEx’s VP of advanced technology and innovation, in a press release. “This is an exciting, industry-first collaboration that will work toward enhancing the logistics industry through safer, more efficient transportation of goods."
Starting Sept. 22, Paccar’s autonomously-enabled trucks — which use the Aurora Driver, Aurora’s computer system that’s integrated into vehicles for autonomous driving — will haul FedEx loads between Dallas and Houston. It’s a 500-mile trip along Texas’ I-45 corridor, and the trucks are expected to operate autonomously, though there will be a backup driver present for safety.
The autonomous commercial endeavor comes roughly eight months after Aurora and Paccar announced a strategic partnership to run an "accelerated development program" aimed at making driverless-capable trucks — beginning with trucks from Paccar’s subsidiaries Peterbilt and Kenworth — which was reported by MBJ sister publication the Silicon Valley Business Journal in January.
For FedEx, it’s another step in the company’s push to invest more in technology, and it’s not the first time the company has explored the usage of autonomous vehicles.
Roxo, FedEx’s same-day delivery bot, is continuing to go through rounds of tests, and in June, the company announced it had signed a multiyear, multiphase agreement with Nuro Inc. — the California-based autonomous vehicle company — to test its autonomous delivery vehicle.
