The upgraded software has added safety capabilities such as responding to emergency vehicles (fire trucks and ambulances etc) and an improved ability to re-enter traffic and navigate lane changes.

The project is employing PACCAR’s Peterbilt 579M trucks utilising Aurora’s latest version of its integrated hardware and autonomy software system, the Aurora Driver Beta 5.0, which is the cornerstone of the company’s autonomous trucking service, Aurora Horizon.

Both companies’ technicians will maintain Aurora’s fleet of autonomous class 8 tractors, doing compliance, inspections, repairs and preventative maintenance on site.

The Aurora Driver-supported PACCAR truck will carry goods between Dallas and Houston as part of a pilot programme.

The autonomous driving technology was jointly developed by Aurora and Volvo Autonomous Solutions, and will be integrated with Volvo VNLs at the New River Valley Assembly Operations in Virginia.

A Volvo Group subsidiary, Volvo Autonomous Solutions based in Gothenburg, Sweden, has entered a strategic partnership with start-up software company, Aurora Innovations Inc of Mountain View, California, United States to develop jointly global autonomous transport solutions at scale.

Truck manufacturer, Paccar Inc of Bellevue, Washington, and Aurora Innovations Inc of Eugene, Oregon have signed a global strategic agreement to develop, test and commercialise autonomous Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks.

Paccar Inc and Aurora Innovation Inc have signed a global strategic partnership agreement to develop, test and commercialise autonomous, Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks.