• TuSimple, an autonomous truck manufacturer, has commenced fully autonomous test runs (without a safety driver) between an 80-mile highway stretch from Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, with approval and supervision from the Arizona Department of Transportation. The company plans to continue driverless testing in 2022.

• The pilot carried pre-loaded cargo but with more focus on the technological aspects of the run. 

• The company has been testing its technology with a safety driver on board since last year. It completed 1,800 runs, translating into 150,000 miles on the same highway stretch.

• The company envisions driverless commercial operations by 2024.

<ul><li> Analyst QuickTake: TuSimple is not the only company to have commenced fully autonomous truck pilots in the US. J ust last month , Gatik launched fully autonomous trucking operations in Arkansas, marking a first in the US. Other peer companies Aurora Innovation and Embark Trucks are also progressing with their plans to begin driverless operations by 2023.</ul>