Key points
- Aurora Innovation’s self-driving trucking platform will integrate with McLeod Software’s transportation management system (TMS).
- This integration will allow mutual customers to manage autonomous shipments seamlessly within McLeod’s existing software.
- Beta testing is underway, with a planned customer rollout next year.
- The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of Aurora’s autonomous trucking technology.
Aurora Innovation is significantly boosting the accessibility of its autonomous trucking technology through a new partnership with McLeod Software. The companies announced Thursday that Aurora’s self-driving platform will be integrated directly into McLeod’s widely used transportation management system (TMS).
This integration, achieved through an application programming interface (API), will allow McLeod’s substantial customer base—over 1,200 trucking and logistics companies—to manage autonomous shipments directly within their familiar software environment. This eliminates the need for separate systems, streamlining the process of incorporating autonomous trucking into existing operations.
Ossa Fisher, Aurora’s president, highlighted the strategic advantage of this integration, stating that it simplifies access to the safety and efficiency gains promised by autonomous trucking.
By meeting customers where they already operate, Aurora aims to overcome a significant hurdle to wider adoption – the need for extensive system overhauls. The beta testing phase is currently underway, suggesting a smooth transition and rigorous testing before a full launch planned for next year.
The partnership arrives amidst a rapidly evolving landscape for autonomous vehicle technology, particularly in the trucking sector. Several startups are vying for market share, developing their own autonomous trucking solutions and striving for commercial viability.
This collaboration positions Aurora strategically, leveraging McLeod’s established market presence to accelerate its own deployment and reach a broader customer base.
The road to fully commercializing self-driving trucks remains challenging, however. Significant hurdles include obtaining regulatory approvals, conducting extensive testing to ensure safety and reliability, and securing substantial capital investment.
Aurora has already launched commercial driverless operations in Texas earlier this year, utilizing its Aurora Driver technology for long-haul trucking, demonstrating a commitment to practical implementation despite the inherent challenges.
The integration with McLeod’s TMS is a crucial step toward scaling these operations and expanding their market presence.
