Hirschbach to Operate 500 Aurora Autonomous Trucks Starting 2027

Key Details Hirschbach Motor Lines and Aurora Innovation signed a non-binding agreement to deploy 500 Aurora Driver-equipped trucks, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027. The companies anticipate finalizing binding agreements later this year. This represents one of the largest publicly announced commitments to autonomous trucking to date. What's at Stake If completed, the deal would generate up to 500 million driverless miles across Hirschbach's network and create a multi-year revenue stream for Aurora valued in the hundreds of millions. The partnership demonstrates growing industry confidence in near-term autonomous viability. Aurora has already logged over 800,000 miles and hauled 2,000 loads for Hirschbach. How It Works Hirschbach will adopt Aurora's Driver as a Service (DaaS) model, meaning the carrier owns the trucks while subscribing to Aurora's autonomous system. This approach gives fleets control over assets and total cost of ownership while letting Aurora operate a capital-efficient, high-margin business. The autonomous trucks will focus on long-haul routes in high-volume lanes across the Sun Belt and beyond. Why It Matters Hirschbach's hybrid strategy combines driverless trucks for long routes with human drivers handling shorter regional runs. This positions the carrier to increase capacity and customer service while providing drivers greater flexibility on more desirable assignments.