Ryder, International Motors, and autonomous software developer PlusAI launched a commercial freight program in April 2026 on a roughly 600-mile stretch of I-35 between Laredo and Temple, one of the busiest trade corridors in Texas, according to Laredo Today. The AI system handles approximately 92 percent of driving operations using cameras, radar, and lidar sensors, with a human safety driver remaining in the cab for monitoring and manual control. Separately, Aurora Innovation is operating 10 commercial driverless lanes across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona with more than 250,000 miles driven and zero system-attributed collisions, according to Aurora. Kodiak Robotics is hauling frac sand with driverless trucks in the Permian Basin and targeting highway driverless launch in the second half of 2026. All current deployments use a hub-to-hub model where autonomous trucks handle the highway middle mile and human drivers manage first and last mile operations.
Operator takeaway
Autonomous freight trucks are now sharing the highways where you work, particularly on I-35, I-45, and I-10 in Texas. When one breaks down or is involved in a crash, the recovery call goes to a tow operator. No company has published a public protocol for how an autonomous truck is hooked up, who authorizes the tow, or what training is expected. If you operate on these corridors, contact the companies directly and ask how they handle roadside recovery before the call comes to you.