Kodiack Robotics makes first driverless haul on Texas oilfield
Summary
Atlas Energy Solutions and Kodiak Robotics on May 2 completed their first driverless delivery of frac sand in West Texas’s Permian Basin. Atlas CEO John Turner said the hot and dry climate in the Permian Basin makes it one of the world’s most challenging environments for truck drivers, but he noted the Kodiak Driver is well equipped to handle driving through harsh conditions, including dust storms that impact visibility and extreme heat. “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. This truly represents a step-change in oilfield logistics.” Early next year, Atlas plans to launch commercial operations using its first two trucks equipped with the Kodiak Driver. “Deploying driverless trucks with Atlas marks the beginning of a new era for autonomous vehicles,” said Don Burnette, Kodiak founder & CEO.