DENVER -- Anheuser-Busch says it has completed the world's first commercial shipment by self-driving truck, sending a beer-filled tractor-trailer on a journey of more than 120 miles through Colorado.
The company says it teamed with self-driving truck maker, Otto, and the state of Colorado for the feat. The trailer, loaded with Budweiser beer, began the self-driving trip at a weigh station in Fort Collins and ran along Interstate 25 through Denver before wrapping up in Colorado Springs.
The company says a professional truck driver was on board for the entire route and monitored the trip from the cab's sleeper berth. A video on Otto's website said the drive happened October 20.
The only time the truck driver took to the wheel was while driving on and off the highway ramp, an Otto spokesman told Forbes.com.
Anheuser-Busch says it hopes to see self-driving technology widely deployed.
“We admire Otto’s vision that will shape the future of self-driving transportation," said James Sembrot, Sr. Director, Logistics Strategy at Anheuser-Busch. "As we continue to partner with long-haul carriers to ship our beers, we hope to see this technology widely deployed across our highways to improve safety for all road users and work towards a low-emissions future."
“Teaming with Otto to deploy self-driving technology on the roads of Colorado is a monumental step forward in advancing safety solutions that will help Colorado move towards zero deaths on our roads,” said Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shailen Bhatt. “Colorado will continue to focus on working with Otto and others on how to safely deploy this technology on our roads.”
Otto was recently acquired by Uber.
Learn more about Otto Motors.
