Atlas Energy Solutions is gearing up to expand its fleet of driverless trucks powered by Kodiak in Texas and New Mexico. These trucks have already begun delivering sand to various oil and gas well sites without any human operators in the cab.
The current plan is to increase the fleet from 28 driverless trucks to 100 by mid-2027, with the hope that these vehicles will start making their way onto public roads early in 2027. However, this timeframe still hinges on reaching specific operational goals.
This development gives a clearer view of how driverless trucking can evolve from operating on private roads to navigating highways.
Kodiak Driverless Trucks Expand to Second Warehouse
Previously, Atlas only operated one loading site for its driverless trucks. Now, they have two locations that are about 90 minutes apart—one in Texas and the other in New Mexico. This expansion helps them cover more ground in the Permian Basin and respond more quickly when customers need sand. Additionally, this service ties into Atlas’ Dune Express conveyor system, which moves sand closer to the final delivery point ahead of the trucks.
Don Barnett, Kodiak’s founder and CEO, mentioned, “Together, Atlas and Kodiak have established the largest fleet of unmanned heavy-duty trucks globally.” He emphasized their collaborative effort as a model for how autonomous driving might enhance logistics, improving efficiency and productivity.
Unmanned Vehicle Count Increases
As of March 31, 2026, Atlas’ program was operating 28 driverless trucks along 15 routes, transporting over 7,000 loads and exceeding 450,000 tons of sand. The trucks tallied more than 23,500 hours of operation without human oversight during the first quarter of 2026. In fact, on July 20, Kodiak trucks achieved a daily record, delivering 176 packages in one day.
In early 2026, Atlas and Kodiak also launched driverless trucks capable of towing three interconnected trailers, with a total loading weight of over 135 tons. You might wonder—what’s it like when these trucks hit the road alongside us?
Potential for Public Road Use in 2027
Kodiak aims to roll out driverless operations on highways by late 2026, with plans for their vehicles to hit public roads in 2027. They’re not alone in this pursuit; another self-driving truck recently completed a 230-mile commercial delivery in Texas without human assistance.
Barnett reassured that other drivers shouldn’t expect erratic behavior from Kodiak trucks. “They already drive themselves on highways in the southern U.S.,” he explained, emphasizing that these trucks are designed to be safe and adhere to driving norms.
However, the thought of sharing the road with a vehicle that has no one behind the wheel can still be unsettling for many drivers. A deeper investigation into the safety of self-driving trucks raises concerns about factors like fatigue and distractions.
Adapting to Extreme Weather Conditions
The harsh climate of the Permian Basin presents significant challenges—extreme heat, sandstorms, sudden floods, and more. To combat these, Kodiak trucks are equipped with a combination of cameras, radar, and lidar to understand their surroundings better.
That said, more sensors don’t necessarily equate to safer situations. Barnett noted that if conditions become unsafe, the trucks are programmed to come to a halt instead of pushing through. The system is designed to adapt to various road scenarios, slowing down or stopping when necessary.
Addressing Problems with Driverless Trucks
In the event of mechanical failures or lost communication, the stakes are certainly higher when no one is in the driver’s seat. Barnett explained that Kodiak trucks have systems that allow monitoring of the vehicle and its autonomous driving capabilities while on the move. For critical issues, there’s a fallback plan in place to safely maneuver the truck to a stop.
Moreover, their operations are overseen by a command center that can step in if a truck needs help.
Kodiak’s Safety Scores
Kodiak has also highlighted a safety evaluation conducted by Nauto, a company specializing in AI vehicle safety, scoring 98 out of 100. This puts Kodiak among the top fleets evaluated by Nauto, outperforming many human-driven vehicles. Barnett expressed pride in achieving such high safety ratings.
Cybersecurity Measures for Unmanned Trucks
Of course, self-driving trucks raise additional concerns beyond the physical driving challenges. Connected vehicles are at risk of cyber threats. While Kodiak keeps details of its security measures under wraps—presumably to avoid revealing vulnerabilities—they treat cybersecurity as part of their overall safety strategy.
Barnett emphasized that Kodiak employs multiple security layers and actively monitors for unusual activities, while access to their systems is strictly controlled.
What This Means for the Future
We likely won’t see driverless trucks dominating the roads overnight. The initial public rollout will probably focus on routes that are already familiar to operators. That said, the expansion signifies the advancing presence of fully unmanned trucks within commercial sectors.
As these vehicles begin to share the road with everyday motorists, big questions loom regarding their response to unpredictable situations. Kodiak maintains that their system will guide vehicles to stop safely amid dangerous conditions. Human oversight via a command center further ensures operational safety.
As these innovations unfold, they could transform delivery and transportation landscapes. Changes within trucking jobs may occur, too. Transparency about safety protocols and challenges becomes paramount as driverless trucks approach public availability. It’s crucial for regulators to ensure that safety claims are substantiated by performance data.
Ultimately, trust will hinge on how successfully these automated systems handle the unpredictable challenges of the road.
