International has launched a joint autonomous truck pilot with Ryder that puts a factory-integrated autonomous vehicle into a live freight operation, marking a notable step beyond closed-course or limited terminal testing.
As part of the pilot, Ryder is operating a daily 600-mile route along the I-35 corridor between its locations in Laredo and Temple, Texas. The autonomous truck runs a dedicated route for a Ryder supply chain customer, giving Ryder and International a chance to evaluate performance, reliability, and operational requirements in real-world logistics conditions.
The truck used in the trial is International’s second-generation autonomous tractor, built on an LT Series platform with the S13 Integrated Powertrain. It includes factory-installed lidar, radar, and cameras, and runs PlusAI’s latest-generation AI-based SuperDrive autonomous driving software.
International said the pilot is intended to validate autonomous technology in an active long-haul logistics network, identify the best early use cases and near-term value proposition for long-haul transport, and gather operational feedback needed to finalize launch-ready product features. The company also framed the effort around integrating virtual driver software into existing transport operations without requiring dedicated autonomous terminals.
Early results shared by the company point to 100% on-time delivery, 92% autonomous route coverage with a human safety driver supervising operations, pre-trip inspections completed in under 30 minutes, and improved fuel efficiency. The pilot is also collecting data on uptime, serviceability, terminal processes, and broader logistics and support considerations tied to autonomous vehicles.
For fleets, the significance is less about a future concept and more about whether autonomy can fit into existing freight networks with minimal added complexity. International is positioning the pilot around point-to-point operations that run from current infrastructure, while Ryder is using the program to better understand how autonomy could apply across portions of the supply chain.
