Autonomous Trucking Faces Safety-First Approach Amidst Billions in Funding and Government Backing

Autonomous trucking is gaining momentum with $1 billion+ SPAC deals and government backing. However, Plus CEO David Liu emphasizes caution, citing the need for safety-first approach and a national framework for regulation. Plus is scaling up its AV stack and targeting 2027 for deployment, but is waiting on truckmaking partners and aiming for 100% safety case readiness.

Autonomous trucking is making significant strides with $1 billion+ SPAC deals and government backing, but Plus CEO David Liu emphasizes a cautious approach to safety and regulation. The industry is moving forward with a safety-first strategy, aiming for commercial readiness by 2027.

Two blank-check companies, Plus Automation and Kodiak Robotics, have secured SPAC deals to fund the development of driverless truck technology. These deals are expected to bring in substantial funding to scale up the technology and meet the growing demand for autonomous trucks [1].

The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced the America Drives Act, a federal bill that aims to create a unified nationwide framework for autonomous trucking. The act, if enacted, would allow commercial trucks equipped with Level 4 or 5 automated driving systems to operate on interstate routes without a human driver or remote operator [2]. This move is intended to accelerate innovation and address the persistent driver shortage plaguing the nation’s supply chain.

Plus Automation, through its subsidiary PlusAI, is making steady progress towards commercial readiness. The company has announced key performance indicators (KPIs) reflecting its progress in safety, autonomy, and scalability. PlusAI has achieved 86% Safety Case Readiness (SCR), 98% Autonomous Miles Percentage (AMP), and 76% Remote Assistance Free Trips (RAFT) [3]. The company is targeting an initial launch in the Texas Triangle, then expanding to other freight corridors in the U.S. and Europe.

While PlusAI is making significant advancements, the company is not rushing the deployment. CEO David Liu emphasizes that the technology still needs to be ready, and the company is waiting on its truckmaking partners to get their hardware to the starting line. PlusAI aims for 100% safety case readiness before deploying its driverless trucks without a driver [1].

The cautious approach taken by PlusAI is a lesson learned from the industry’s past. In 2023, General Motors’ Cruise had a roadway disaster that led to the suspension of its license, halting its fleet, and ultimately folding the unit into GM’s research and development operations [1]. The autonomous trucking industry has not had an analogous event, but it is moving forward with caution, ensuring that the technology is ready before deployment.

The cautious optimism in the autonomous trucking industry is reflected in the steady progress being made by companies like PlusAI and Kodiak Robotics. With government backing and a national framework for regulation, the industry is poised for growth. However, the timeline for commercial readiness remains uncertain, and the industry is taking a cautious approach to ensure safety and success.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-07-31/driverless-trucks-lumber-along-with-safety-first-approach
[2] https://www.act-news.com/news/congress-moves-to-unify-rules-for-autonomous-trucks/
[3] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plusai-announces-key-performance-indicators-for-commercial-readiness-302516538.html