https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/14/fernride-nudges-yard-trucks-towards-full-autonomy-with-31m-in-new-funds/

Fernride has figured out a way to launch a commercially viable autonomous, electric truck business today. The secret? Not driving on public roads.

Most AV trucking companies are going after the moonshot: Using self-driving freight trucks — typically 18-wheelers — to haul goods over long distances. Startups like Waymo, TuSimple, Kodiak Robotics and Aurora have all had commercial pilot projects and are actively testing on public highways in Texas, Arizona and other southern states. None of them are operating without a human safety operator in the front seat; most are years away from commercialization.