Tyson Foods, a major player in the food industry, has announced the expansion of its driverless trucks program to Arkansas. In a recent statement, the company disclosed its partnership with an autonomous middle-mile logistics specialist for a multi-year collaboration aimed at utilizing autonomous refrigerated box trucks for Tyson’s Northwest Arkansas routes. These autonomous trucks are set to operate for 18 hours a day, facilitating the transportation of various Tyson products, including popular brands like Jimmy Dean and BallPark, to local distribution and storage facilities.
One of the primary objectives of this initiative is to tackle the nationwide shortage of truck drivers by integrating commercial-grade autonomous technology into Tyson’s supply chain. These driverless trucks will adhere to predefined short-haul routes, ensuring the efficient movement of products while allowing Tyson to reassign drivers to other roles within the company.
The partnership, which has already commenced, will initially involve multiple autonomous trucks, with the potential for expansion to other Tyson locations. These autonomous vehicles are equipped with a 26-foot temperature-controlled cargo space and custom-designed sensor systems to ensure safety. Initially, a safety driver will be present in the cab.
Tyson Foods anticipates that this expansion will enhance its regional distribution capabilities and lead to cost reductions. This move follows Tyson’s earlier announcement in April about a pilot program aimed at autonomously shipping their products between Dallas and San Antonio, Texas.
The expansion of Tyson’s autonomous truck program in Arkansas represents a significant step in harnessing advanced technology to address supply chain challenges while ensuring the efficient delivery of their products.
