Master Yoda said, “Do or do not. There is no try.” AllianceTexas says, “Don’t have think tanks, have do tanks.” AllianceTexas’ Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ), in north Fort Worth, was launched last year as a “do tank” in collaboration with Deloitte, with the intention of leading in smart infrastructure deployment and to create a digital and physical commercialization environment for partner companies. One of them is TuSimple, a self-driving technology company with a focus on heavy-duty trucks.

The project is a Hillwood-developed truck terminal that will support the company’s continued expansion into Texas and connects into TuSimple’s cross country autonomous freight corridor. The MIZ will also allow TuSimple to add new autonomous trucking operations within the “Texas Triangle,” and support freight movements between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.

TuSimple currently ships freight for customers using autonomous trucks, moving from Arizona to Texas, and this new facility will enable the company to add new shipping lanes in 2021. Hillwood, chaired by Ross Perot, Jr., and TuSimple expect completion by March of 2021. The new facility will house autonomous truck operations, service, and administrative support. The building will feature technology service bays, in addition to general office space.

The new operational facility will be the first urban logistics center in Texas for TuSimple; TuSimple’s existing Texas location provides dedicated support to UPS. TuSimple plans to demonstrate driverless operations in 2021 and have semis with Level-4 autonomous capability–meaning they can drive without human input–on the market by 2024. The company hopes to transform the $800 billion U.S. trucking industry by enhancing safety, increasing efficiency, and significantly reducing operating costs.

The Traton Group, Volkswagen AG’s heavy-truck business, has taken a minority stake in TuSimple as part of an agreement between the two companies to develop self-driving trucks. In addition, Navistar Int’l. Corp. is partnering with TuSimple to manufacture robotic big rigs and is also investing in the company.

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