Austin-based Atlas Energy Solutions is making driverless deliveries of proppant across the Permian Basin with two RoboTrucks equipped with Kodiak Robotics’ self-driving system. Kodiak said Jan. 24 Atlas completed its first 100 loads to mark “the first time ever that a customer has taken ownership of a RoboTruck and launched driverless commercial semi-trucking operations.” The initial driverless operations in May 2024 involved Kodiak delivering Atlas’ frac sand along a 21-mile off-road route with Kodiak-owned RoboTrucks.
Don Burnette, CEO of Kodiak, said, “This is an incredible moment for us and for the autonomous trucking industry as we have officially delivered a commercial RoboTruck to a customer and launched commercial operations.” Mountain View, Calif.-based Kodiak said it established an office in Odessa to support Atlas operations. Atlas’ driverless deliveries started Dec. 18, 2024.