PACCAR keeps drivers behind the wheel in autonomous trucks for now

PACCAR CEO Preston Feight confirmed on July 28, 2026, that the company has no plans to remove human drivers from its autonomous trucks, despite rapid progress from partner Aurora Innovation. PACCAR, the parent company of Kenworth and Peterbilt, collaborates with Aurora, Kodiak AI, and Stack on autonomous trucking technology. Aurora recently restarted commercial driverless operations using second-generation trucks after a May 2025 launch prompted PACCAR to demand a human observer return to the cab of its semis. Aurora is now retrofitting International Motors LT Series tractors via Roush Industries for its autonomous operations and expects to begin selling autonomous trucks to customers in 2027. The autonomous trucking sector is heating up, with PlusAI and Torc Robotics also scaling operations to commercial levels in 2027, while Tesla is poised to enter the market. Feight emphasized satisfaction with progress but reiterated that PACCAR sees no immediate need to eliminate drivers from its autonomous trucks.