Atlas Energy Solutions is set to expand its Kodiak driverless truck fleet from 28 to 100 vehicles by mid-2027, marking a significant step toward autonomous trucking on public roads in Texas and New Mexico.
Atlas Energy Solutions is significantly expanding its fleet of Kodiak-powered driverless trucks, which currently operate in Texas and New Mexico. The company plans to increase its fleet from 28 to 100 driverless trucks by mid-2027, with expectations for these vehicles to begin operating on public highways in early 2027, contingent upon meeting certain operational milestones.
This expansion illustrates the potential for driverless trucking to transition from private industrial roads to public highways. The Kodiak trucks currently transport sand to oil and gas well sites without human operators in the cab, demonstrating the feasibility of autonomous logistics in demanding environments.
Previously, Atlas operated its driverless trucks from a single load-out location at a time. The new operational model allows the trucks to run simultaneously from two depots located about 90 minutes apart—one in Texas and the other in New Mexico. This broader operational footprint enables Atlas to reach more well sites across the Permian Basin, improving response times for sand deliveries. The trucks also connect with Atlas’s 42-mile Dune Express conveyor system, which transports sand closer to well sites before the trucks complete the final leg of the journey.
Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Together, Atlas and Kodiak have deployed the world’s largest fleet of driverless big-rig trucks. We’ve demonstrated that autonomous trucking is delivering meaningful results today. Our expanding partnership, which now covers two unique locations, is creating a blueprint for how autonomy can transform logistics by improving efficiency, increasing productivity, and delivering lasting value for customers at commercial scale.”
As of March 31, 2026, Atlas’s driverless program had successfully operated 28 trucks across 15 routes, carrying approximately 7,000 loads and transporting over 450,000 tons of sand. The fleet logged more than 23,500 driverless operating hours during the first quarter of 2026. Notably, on July 20, Kodiak-powered trucks set a daily record by delivering 176 loads in a single day.
In early 2026, Kodiak and Atlas introduced a driverless truck capable of pulling three connected trailers, with a combined loaded weight exceeding 135 tons. This innovation raises questions about the implications of these trucks operating alongside traditional vehicles on public roads.
Kodiak aims to launch driverless highway operations by the end of 2026, with Atlas following suit in 2027. The move toward humanless highway freight is not unique to these companies; another autonomous truck recently completed a 230-mile commercial delivery in Texas without a driver in the cab.
Burnette reassured the public that other motorists should not expect erratic behavior from Kodiak-powered trucks. “Kodiak-powered trucks already operate autonomously on highways across the southern United States with a safety driver in the cab to oversee the system. The Kodiak Driver is engineered to be a safe and cautious driver and to follow normal driving etiquette, so other motorists should not notice anything unusual,” he stated.
Despite this reassurance, many drivers may still feel uneasy sharing the road with a truck that lacks a human operator. CyberGuy recently examined whether autonomous trucks can enhance highway safety, highlighting Kodiak’s arguments regarding issues like driver fatigue and distraction.
The Permian Basin presents challenging conditions for vehicles, including extreme temperatures, dust storms, sudden flooding, and high winds. Kodiak equips its trucks with a comprehensive sensor suite that includes cameras, radar, and lidar, providing a detailed view of the surrounding environment. However, Burnette noted that the trucks will not operate in unsafe conditions, stating, “If conditions aren’t safe, the truck won’t keep driving. It slows down and safely pulls over.”
Kodiak’s system is designed to respond to construction zones and emergency vehicles, adjusting to changing road conditions. Severe weather, such as dense fog, can halt an autonomous trip. According to Burnette, Kodiak-powered vehicles will remain stationary when conditions become hazardous.
Concerns about mechanical failures or communication issues are heightened when no one is in the cab. Burnette explained that the Kodiak Driver continuously monitors both the truck and its autonomous system. “If it detects a critical problem, such as a mechanical, sensor, or communications failure, it can execute a fallback maneuver that safely pulls the truck out of traffic and brings it to a stop in a safe location,” he said.
The health and safety of the fleet are overseen by Kodiak’s command center, where human operators can provide assistance if needed. An independent safety evaluation by Nauto, an AI-powered fleet safety company, awarded the Kodiak Driver a VERA safety score of 98 out of 100, the highest score among over 1,000 commercial fleets in Nauto’s network, which primarily use human drivers.
Burnette pointed to this evaluation as a testament to Kodiak’s commitment to safety: “We are proud that an independent evaluation by Nauto, a leader in AI-powered fleet safety technology, gave Kodiak the highest score in a safety study, tying for first place and outperforming 1,000 human-driven fleets.”
As the deployment of driverless trucks expands, concerns about cybersecurity also arise. While Kodiak does not disclose specific security measures, Burnette emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in their operations. “Cybersecurity is something we take extremely seriously because safety starts long before a truck ever reaches the road,” he stated. The company employs multiple security layers and continuously monitors for suspicious activity, ensuring tight control over access to its systems.
While the immediate future may not see a complete transition to autonomous delivery trucks, the rapid expansion of Atlas’s fleet indicates that driverless trucking is already operational in commercial settings. The next significant step will involve these trucks sharing public roads with commuters and families. As this technology progresses, public trust will hinge on the performance of these vehicles in unpredictable situations.
Transparency regarding crash reporting, emergency response, and the limits of remote assistance will be crucial as these trucks enter public highways. Regulatory bodies will need to evaluate safety claims against real-world outcomes. While a strong safety score is a positive indicator, consistent performance over time will be essential for building public confidence.
As Kodiak and Atlas continue to develop their driverless trucking operations, the implications for transportation and logistics could be profound. However, the success of this technology will ultimately depend on its ability to navigate the complexities of real-world driving conditions.
For more insights on the future of autonomous trucking, visit CyberGuy.