Waymo Via Expands Autonomous Trucking - Texas, Arizona, California

Waymo Expands Autonomous Trucking Operations with New Hub and Ryder Partnership

Waymo, the self-driving technology division of Alphabet, is establishing a specialized trucking center in Dallas. Simultaneously, a collaboration with Ryder has been initiated to provide fleet management solutions. These actions signify a substantial effort to broaden Waymo’s autonomous trucking capabilities throughout Texas, Arizona, and California.

Recent Investment and Technological Advancement

This announcement follows closely on the heels of Waymo securing $2.5 billion in funding. These resources will be allocated to the continued development of the Waymo Driver, its autonomous driving system, and the expansion of its team.

Currently, Waymo is actively conducting tests with the fifth iteration of the Waymo Driver on Class 8 trucks. These tests involve transporting freight for companies such as J.B. Hunt along Interstate 45, connecting Houston and Fort Worth, Texas. Furthermore, the company is collaborating with Daimler Trucks to create a highly reliable level 4 autonomous vehicle platform.

New Dallas Trucking Hub

Construction has commenced on the new 9-acre trucking hub, specifically designed for Waymo Via, the company’s autonomous trucking division. Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the hub will serve a major transportation corridor.

The facility is intended for commercial applications and is projected to accommodate a significant number of trucks as Waymo expands its operations. This expansion will facilitate more extensive and intricate autonomous testing. Waymo anticipates that the hub will enable the company to extend its reach in Texas beyond I-45, encompassing I-10 and I-20. Its strategic location will also support long-distance routes and connect with Waymo’s operations center in Phoenix.

Ryder Partnership and Transfer Hub Model

The Dallas hub will serve as a primary location for evaluating not only the Waymo Driver but also the company’s transfer hub concept. This model integrates automated and manual trucking, optimizing transfer points near highways. This ensures the Waymo Driver remains on major routes while human drivers manage the initial and final stages of delivery.

Successfully implementing this model necessitates robust organizational capabilities. Ryder’s fleet management expertise and standardized maintenance services, offered across more than 500 facilities, are well-suited to this task.

Fleet Services and Future Collaboration

The partnership encompasses fleet maintenance, inspections, and roadside assistance for all Waymo Via hubs and testing locations, including the new Dallas facility. Leveraging Ryder’s extensive network and Waymo’s access to AV fleet data, the companies will jointly develop best practices for autonomous truck maintenance and performance optimization.

“This collaboration begins with fleet maintenance, but we foresee numerous opportunities to cooperate on autonomous trucking operations to enable large-scale deployment of these vehicles,” stated Karen Jones, chief marketing officer and head of new product development for Ryder. “We have already collaborated on the design of Waymo’s Dallas facility to ensure it is optimized for truck servicing and the transfer hub model they intend to implement. Autonomous Class 8 technology is rapidly gaining traction, and Ryder is positioned to be a leader in both truck servicing and the management of the unique logistics associated with autonomous operations.”