Waymo expands partnership with UPS for autonomous US delivery trucks

Alphabet’s Waymo announced on Wednesday (17) that it was expanding its parcel delivery partnership with UPS. The agreement between the two companies will be extended until the goods are transported with autonomous trucks between the UPS facilities. United States.

Waymo Via launched Waymo’s parcel delivery operation in partnership with UPS in early 2020. The service used an automated minivan to transport packages between the Phoenix metro area of ​​Tempe, Arizona, USA and a distribution center in Tempe.

Waymo said testing of the trucks will begin in the coming weeks. These vehicles are equipped with fifth-generation Vemo Driver technology and will cater to North America demand from the UPS cargo division between the Dallas-Fordworth and Houston Texas facilities.

The shortage of drivers has hit US shipping and delivery companies, especially FedEx, as companies rush to hire workers for the holiday shopping season, where parcel sizes can easily double.

Waymo and UPS said the tests will help assess the impact of autonomous driving technology on safety and performance.