Detmar Logistics to Start Autonomous Ops With Aurora in '26
Bulk Carrier to Use Texas, New Mexico Public, Private Roads
Key Takeaways:
- Detmar will use Aurora’s in-house Peterbilt tractors to ship the proppant 20 hours a day on public and private roads in the Permian Basin oil and gas field.
- Aurora and Detmar intend to go completely driverless in the second quarter of 2026 using a set of International Motors LT Series trucks.
- Detmar plans to own and operate a large fleet of Aurora Driver-powered trucks in the future, according to the technology supplier.
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Bulk carrier will begin hauling proppants in Texas and New Mexico early in 2026 using autonomous semis, said Dec. 8.
Proppants are gritty materials, such as frac sand mixed with fracking fluid, used by oil and natural gas wells in West Texas and eastern New Mexico.
Frac sand consists of small, uniform particles injected into rock formations alongside water to fracture rock in hydraulic drilling operations. The sand props open the fractures it creates.
San Antonio-based last-mile logistics specialist Detmar will use Aurora’s in-house Peterbilt tractors to ship the proppant 20 hours a day on public and private roads in the Permian Basin oil and gas field.
We’ve partnered with Detmar Logistics, a Permian Basin-based logistics carrier, to autonomously haul frac sand on public highways for a major energy producer — an industry first.
With 24/7 operations between customer sites next year, the Aurora Driver will double asset… — Aurora (@aurora_inno)
The route involves a combination of traversing Interstate 20 as well as local and private roads.
When shipments begin between Detmar’s facility in Midland, Texas, and Capital Sand’s mining site in Monahans, Texas, the trucks will operate with a human in the cab.
However, in the second quarter of 2026, Aurora and Detmar intend to go completely driverless using a set of International Motors LT Series trucks the self-driving truck developer bought earlier in 2025, a spokeswoman said.
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Aurora had planned to go driverless in the second quarter of 2025, but Peterbilt and parent company Paccar requested a human remain in the cab until the truck manufacturer signed off on driverless operations. Aurora has partnerships with Paccar and Volvo Autonomous Solutions. Those two North American truck manufacturers are installing the Aurora Driver technology package on factory-built tractors.
Detmar Logistics operates 29 tractors on a term-leased basis, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records.
Sister company Detmar Transport owns 159 tractors, FMCSA data shows. As well as fracking sand, Detmar Transport carries general freight and large machinery.
“As simul-fracs demand higher sand volumes and operators move to 24/7 schedules, maintaining a safe, reliable flow of proppant is critical,” said of Detmar Logistics.
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“Aurora’s autonomous technology is a game changer for our industry. It will enable us to safely improve efficiency and support our customers’ continuous operations. We expect autonomous trucks to become a competitive advantage to strengthen and grow our business in the years to come,” he added.
Detmar plans to own and operate a large fleet of Aurora Driver-powered trucks in the future, according to the technology supplier.
The first Detmar runs will establish one of Aurora’s initial routes between customer sites, a key milestone for the Pittsburgh-based company in its expansion beyond terminal-to-terminal operations.
Aurora launched a second terminal-to-terminal route from Fort Worth to El Paso in Texas before the end of the third quarter.
In a letter to shareholders accompanying its Q3 results, Aurora said it was nearing completion of driverless validation for the return El Paso-to-Fort Worth trip as well as an extension to Phoenix.
The Phoenix expansion would add 400 miles to the lane and establish a continuous 1,000-plus-mile, multistate route between Fort Worth and Phoenix, which Aurora said “far exceeds hours-of-service limitations for a traditional driver.”
Planned expansions include lanes between Dallas and Laredo, Texas, and between Dallas and Atlanta.
Aurora is touting the Detmar deal as the first time proppants and frac sand will be hauled autonomously on public roads and highways in the Permian Basin.
Atlas Energy Solutions began shipments of proppant on private roads on two driverless trucks equipped with self-driving technology from Kodiak Robotics in January .
Bulk carrier Atlas has taken delivery of eight driverless trucks as part of an initial 100-truck order.
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