A Driver’s Perspective: Weekly Recap

I want to start by saying it’s been a very interesting week for sure. While we haven’t seen much movement in FMCSA and DOT leadership positions, there’s definitely noise being made behind the scenes. Speculation continues about who will take the helm at the FMCSA, with various names being floated for the position. However, we still have no official announcement yet.

Our newly appointed Transportation Secretary, Duffy, was handed a heavy responsibility almost immediately with the plane and helicopter crash investigations, which have undoubtedly pulled some attention away from FMCSA appointments for now. That said, it won’t be long before we start seeing those positions filled.

One thing is becoming increasingly clear—drivers are not going to be happy with the direction this administration is heading. The push for autonomous trucks is accelerating, and it’s evident with how many autonomous companies are setting up shop in Texas, ramping up production, and preparing for rollout. The writing is on the wall: regulations will continue to accommodate the driverless agenda more than they will benefit drivers. Once again, the American truck driver remains a second-class citizen in the industry.

TESLA DRIVERLESS SEMI – MASS PRODUCTION!

The Accelerating Shift Toward Driverless Semi-Trucks:

A Reality Check The trucking industry is rapidly moving toward autonomous freight, with several major players ramping up production and deployment of driverless technology. This shift is no longer a concept for the distant future—it’s happening now.

Tesla’s Semi Truck Advancements

Tesla is preparing to mass-produce its Class 8 Semi, with high-volume builds expected to start in late 2025 and scale up in early 2026. Lars Moravy, Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, confirmed that the company is already installing manufacturing equipment. Meanwhile, Elon Musk continues to push the value of autonomous trucking, citing the ongoing driver shortage as a major factor in Tesla’s strategy.

Aurora Innovation’s Progress

Aurora Innovation has entered into a strategic partnership with Nvidia and Continental to further autonomous trucking technology. Aurora plans to integrate Nvidia’s DRIVE Thor system-on-a-chip into its driverless trucks, targeting mass production by 2027. Currently, Aurora is finalizing its Aurora Driver system and preparing for driverless freight hauls between Dallas and Houston in the near term.

Daimler’s Commitment to Autonomy

Daimler Truck’s subsidiary, Torc Robotics, recently hit a major milestone, successfully validating fully driverless trucks on test tracks in Texas. Daimler has committed to commercializing autonomous trucks by 2027, and they’re expanding their footprint with a new office and autonomous trucking hub in Dallas-Fort Worth, set to open in early 2025.

Volvo’s Autonomous Fleet Deployment

Volvo Autonomous Solutions is actively running autonomous trucks on Texas highways. In partnership with DHL Supply Chain, Volvo deployed its Volvo VNL Autonomous tractors (powered by Aurora Driver technology) on freight routes between Dallas and Houston in December 2024. This marks one of the first active deployments of autonomous trucking in real-world logistics.

Industry Implications

The industry is moving full speed ahead toward driverless trucking. With Tesla, Aurora, Daimler, and Volvo all aggressively pursuing automation, it’s clear that the landscape of freight movement is shifting faster than many expected.

The federal government’s pro-technology stance, combined with ongoing driver shortages, is accelerating this transition. Regulations are being crafted to support driverless trucking, meaning we are looking at a near future where human drivers could be sidelined in favor of AI-driven fleets.

Final Thoughts

For truck drivers, this should be a wake-up call. The autonomous truck revolution is no longer theoretical—it’s already here. The big question remains: where does that leave the American trucker?

One thing is certain—we must stay informed, stay involved, and continue advocating for the human element in trucking. If the industry shifts without driver input, we’ll only have ourselves to blame.

Stay safe out there, and as always, keep the rubber side down.

— A Driver’s Perspective