FedEx is collaborating with technology developer Aurora and heavy vehicle manufacturer PACCAR to test autonomous driving technology within FedEx linehaul trucking operations. 

The exponential growth of e-commerce has accelerated the demand for reliable, efficient transportation and logistics solutions throughout all stages of the supply chain. 

FedEx believes that continued innovation and automation will improve safety, efficiency, and productivity for the company’s more than 560,000 team members as they continue to move the world forward.

Rebecca Yeung, vice president, advanced technology and innovation, FedEx Corporation, said: “This is an exciting, industry-first collaboration that will work toward enhancing the logistics industry through safer, more efficient transportation of goods and we are pleased to collaborate with other industry leaders – Aurora and PACCAR – on this endeavour.”

Earlier this year, Aurora and PACCAR announced a strategic partnership to build and deploy autonomous trucks at scale. 

This latest collaboration will incorporate the logistics expertise of FedEx to help accelerate the deployment.  

The pilot begins this week and will run along FedEx Dallas-Houston parcel lanes in the United States, completing the nearly 500-mile round trip route multiple times each week. 

The trucks will operate autonomously, with a backup driver for additional safety.