Self-Driving Truck Development To Slow Down As TuSimple Confirms US Exit

Robotrucks are supposed to make hauling goods cheaper, more efficient, and simpler. Freight isn't complicated only because of the human factor. There are tons of things that need to be accounted for. Time is of the essence when you're transporting produce or refrigerated items. It's the same when you depend on weekly shipments to restock with various items. A fleet of Class 8 trucks isn't easy to manage, especially when you want to keep costs under control.

Various companies thought that one good idea to speed everything up while reducing operational costs would be to have fleets of self-driving trucks manageable from various centers nationwide. That sounds ideal and a lot simpler than managing humans, loads, insurance, and fuel costs.

However, companies like Tesla, Ford, and GM already proved that autonomous driving isn't easy. Robotaxi operators like Waymo or Cruise also showed that mixing computers on wheels with drivers isn't something you want to do without proper supervision.

But battery-electric vehicles and Class 8 trucks are very different. They can't be compared. Semis need many more redundant systems to prevent disasters. They can cause quite a mess. That's one of the reasons why California was one step away from forcing robotruck operators to employ a failsafe driver.

However, TuSimple, one of the few final contenders in this domain, decided it was time to leave the US market. A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shows that the company is reducing its workforce by 75%. It will retain around 700 employees worldwide after it finishes with the US layoffs. It prepared almost $8 million to give people entitled to various benefits. So, most of them should be able to enjoy the Holidays.

The people who remain on TuSimple's payroll will take care of winding down the operations and selling the company's assets. The entity will divert its full attention to Asia. All this is part of a detailed restructuring plan that could end in late 2024.

Last year, TuSimple's CEO was fired after an internal investigation found that Xiaodi Hou was allegedly transferring technology to a Chinese firm. That company is Hydron. It's involved in making fuel-cell trucks autonomous. The FBI and SEC started an investigation, even though Hou denied any improper actions.

Mo Chen established Hydron. He also founded TuSimple together with Xiaodi Hou.

Now, TuSimple is only going to focus on the Asian market. With American constraints out of the way, it could even start working with Hydron.

That is more proof that technological development is complicated, and everyone wants to be a part of everything that's bleeding-edge. But it also shows that internal procedures and rules are vital. Sometimes, people might even be willing to go the extra mile to be involved. That doesn't necessarily mean staying within the law.

Self-driving cars and trucks might become a part of our future because companies are bent on rendering drivers useless. However, it'll be a while before we can sit back, relax, and enjoy a ride in a vehicle with no steering wheel or trust a semi-truck with no human in the cabin.