A Class 7 autonomous refrigerated box truck with Tyson Foods and Gatik logos is shown in this undated photo. (Courtesy/Tyson Foods)Tyson Foods has partnered with Gatik AI, Inc to test driverless trucks in Northwest Arkansas.
The Class 7 autonomous refrigerated box trucks are being used to deliver brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dean and BallPark to distribution and storage facilities in Rogers and Springdale.
The trucks will operate 18 hours a day while they carry refrigerated and frozen goods along predetermined short-haul, repeated routes.
A safety driver will initially be present in the cab to monitor the driverless system and take command of the truck if required, according to a news release.
The multi-year collaboration with Gatik began last week, just ahead of the start of the company’s new fiscal year which begins Oct. 1.
“At Tyson Foods, we are innovating and using automation throughout our business, including in transportation,” said Patrick Simmons, vice president of transportation for Tyson Foods. “This partnership allows us to strategically place our drivers where they are needed most while still reliably and safely transporting protein from the plant to distribution centers.”
