UPS continues to explore the potentials of an autonomous future in shipping. The largest carrier in North America is adding more self-driving runs in the Southwest and smaller autonomous shuttle runs in the Phoenix area.
TuSimple is adding more UPS runs between Phoenix and El Paso, Texas, the autonomous-driving technology company announced. And Waymo, the Alphabet Inc.-owned self-driving tech company, partnered with Big Brown on autonomous vehicle package pickup in metro Phoenix earlier this winter.
TuSimple trucks are doubling the number of their more than 400-mile autonomous runs in the Southwest to 20. Ten runs will continue on an established route between Phoenix and El Paso and the other 10 will be along a new route between the two cities. UPS Ventures invested in TuSimple last summer, months after the carrier and tech company began a self-driving pilot program.
“We partnered with TuSimple to explore autonomous technology for our Global Smart Logistics Network which aims to improve network efficiencies, safety, and customer service,” said Scott Price, UPS’s chief strategy and transformation officer. “TuSimple has been instrumental to this initiative, so it was a logical next step for us to expand the test to additional routes within our North American Freight Forwarding lanes.”
The growing UPS-TuSimple partnership moves the technology company another step toward its goal to expand its autonomous capabilities and demonstrate the first true driverless operation in 2021. Currently, TuSimple has 18 contracted customers and makes about 20 autonomous trips per day.
“UPS has been a valued partner of ours since we officially started working together early last year,” said Chuck Price, TuSimple’s chief product officer. “This deep relationship shows the company’s commitment to innovation and exemplifies why UPS is considered a trailblazer when it comes to exploring and implementing cutting-edge technology.”
The high-tech heavy-duty trucking runs have also had another benefit for UPS. TuSimple reported this week that its autonomous trucks are achieving 10% fuel savings in UPS operations.
Waymo’s autonomous Chrysler Pacifica minivans are shuttling packages from UPS Store locations to a Phoenix UPS sorting facility.Photo: UPS
Autonomous package pickups
Locally in Phoenix, Waymo’s Chrysler Pacifica minivans are shuttling packages from UPS Store locations to a local UPS sorting facility for processing. UPS and Waymo are exploring how self-driving ground vehicles can improve customer service and network efficiency. The two companies are hoping to develop a long-term plan for how they can work together.
“UPS and Waymo are exploring automated and autonomous technologies to enhance network operations,” said Scott Price, UPS chief strategy and transformation officer. “Getting packages to our sortation facilities sooner and more frequently, while also creating an opportunity for later drop-offs for next-day service, can add enormous value for our customers.”
In the Arizona pilot program, the vehicle will drive autonomously with a Waymo-trained driver on board to monitor operations.
“Waymo’s mission is to make it safe and easy for people and things to get where they’re going, and our partnership with UPS allows us to continue developing how our Waymo Driver can facilitate pickups,” Waymo COO Tekedra Mawakana said earlier this winter. “We look forward to working alongside the UPS team to safely and efficiently deliver packages starting in Metro Phoenix.”
UPS is focusing on technologies to reinforce its integrated global logistics network. Over the last decade, the company has focused on advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, autonomous drone delivery, robotics and facility automation.
Waymo vehicles have driven more than 20 million miles on public roads, 10 billion miles in simulation, and is the only self-driving technology company to have an autonomous ride-hailing service.
“The UPS Store is excited to participate with Waymo in this test to explore ways to provide an even better experience for customers within our network of 4,800 retail locations,” said Tim Davis, president of the UPS Store, Inc. “Moving packages out of stores more frequently can also free up valuable space for franchisees within the retail environment.”
