Amazon shipping cargo in self-driving trucks: Report
Amazon is shipping some cargo in Embark self-driving trucks along the cross-country I-10 Highway, both companies confirmed this week.
The partnership came to light after a Reddit user posted photos of autonomous trucks emblazoned with Amazon’s logo driving on the highway. While Amazon’s branding is visible on the trucks, they operate using Embark’s self-driving technology embedded on Peterbilt semis.
“We are always innovating and working with innovative companies to improve the customer experience and safety of our team,” Amazon said in a statement obtained by CNBC, which was first to report the partnership. “We think successful over-the-road autonomy will create safer roadways and a better work environment for drivers on long-haul runs.”
The extent of Amazon’s partnership with Embark is unclear. Neither company provided further details on the program.
Embark is one of several companies attempting to establish a foothold in the burgeoning autonomous vehicle space. Electric-car maker Tesla and Alphabet-owned Waymo are among the companies developing technology.
“Embark moves freight for a number of major companies on the I-10, however we cannot discuss any company specifically as our relationships are confidential,” Embark CEO Alex Rodrigues told CNBC.
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Amazon has experimented with various alternative shipping methods in recent months. The company is said to be in the process of building out a fleet of cargo planes to handle air shipping, potentially saving billions of dollars on an annual basis.
