Using Kodiak Robotics’ Driver technology, Atlas Energy Solutions has completed a driverless delivery of frac sand in West Texas’ Permian Basin, a 21-mile trip from Atlas’s depot to a wellsite using private lease roads. This is the first driverless commercial semi-truck freight deliery in North America, according to Kodiak.
By the end of the year, Atlas anticipates 24/7 operations using Kodiak's self-driving platform.
“The Permian Basin’s expansive private lease road network, which expands across the Delaware and Midland Basins, is an ideal environment in which to introduce autonomous trucking in North America,” said Chris Scholla, chief supply chain officer, Atlas. “With average traffic speeds of under 20 MPH on these large swaths of private roads, we can safely deliver a more reliable last-mile solution to our customers in the Permian Basin.”
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Atlas has placed an order for more Kodiak-equipped driverless trucks, with the company planning to launch commercial operations with its first two vehicles in early 2025. Through the partnership, Kodiak is providing its technology Atlas via a driver-as-a-service licensing agreement, where Atlas will own the trucks while Kodiak provides the Kodiak Driver hardware and software. Additionally, Kodiak will supply operational support services, including remote monitoring from its operations center in Lancaster, Texas.
“Deploying driverless trucks with Atlas marks the beginning of a new era for autonomous vehicles,” said Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak. “Our partnership with Atlas will make us the first autonomous semi-truck company to establish commercial driverless operations, and the first company to make autonomous trucking a real business.”
