Self driving truck technology firm TuSimple has joined forces with Hillwood on autonomous trucking. Hillwood has developed the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) together with Deloitte as a development area for smart infrastructure.

The new operational facility will be the first urban logistics centre in Texas for TuSimple, a Chinese tech startup backed by UPS. TuSimple’s existing Texas location provides dedicated support to UPS.

The Hillwood-developed truck terminal will connect to TuSimple’s cross country autonomous freight corridor. The MIZ will 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 self-driving technology company to add new shipping lanes in 2021.

Hillwood and TuSimple will begin construction on the project in November 2020, with an expected 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.

“We’re pleased to welcome TuSimple to Texas, adding the company to our nation-leading roster of firms engaged in the implementation of next generation mobility platforms,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “The AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone provides the perfect infrastructure, landscape and scale for the company to launch their national expansion and ‘Texas Triangle’ operations.”

“TuSimple is the perfect partner for Hillwood in our efforts to accelerate innovative mobility technologies within the MIZ,” said Ross Perot, Jr., chairman of Hillwood. “As the industry leader in the deployment of autonomous long-haul truck routes, TuSimple brings this technology to AllianceTexas today, ensuring the MIZ will be a global focal point in the commercialisation of next generation logistics solutions.”

“TuSimple is building the world’s first autonomous freight network and an important part of our strategy is to secure suitable locations for our terminals, and the Mobility Innovation Zone is exactly what we were looking for,” said Lee White, Vice President of Strategy, TuSimple.