Autonomous Yard Trucks Set to Surge with a Projected 52% Growth
The growing need to modernize truck yards in line with warehouse and transport digitalization is fueling the adoption of established supply chain technologies to enhance asset tracking, allocation, and optimization within these yards. According to ABI Research, there is a projected significant increase in the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled cameras within yards, with a global installed base of 11.2 million expected by 2030. Moreover, the adoption of autonomous yard trucks is set to rise significantly, with a global Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 52.7% from 2022 to 2030.
Supply chain solution providers are increasingly diversifying into Yard Management Systems (YMS) and related technologies to digitize and upgrade yard operations. This includes implementing yard systems, tracking technologies, and autonomous tractors. While autonomous and teleoperated yard trucks are still emerging technologies, recent investments, partnerships, and successful proof-of-concept projects indicate growing interest and potential use cases for these innovations. Companies like Outrider, Phantom Auto, EasyMile, and Fernride are actively investing in yard automation, with small-scale deployments paving the way for broader commercial adoption in the coming years.
Uber Freight and Waabi have launched a commercial autonomous trucking pilot route in Texas, with plans to offer billions of miles in autonomous hauls with carrier partners over the next decade.