This startup wants to bring driverless freight trucks to California's roads, but drivers are pushing back

San Francisco-based startup Humble Robotics has emerged from stealth with $24 million in funding to develop the Humble Hauler, a cabless, fully autonomous electric freight truck. The company aims to modernize the trucking industry by reducing carbon emissions and lowering operational costs through a design that eliminates traditional components like steering wheels and driver seats. This development comes as California regulators ease restrictions on heavy-duty autonomous vehicles, though the technology faces significant opposition from labor groups concerned about safety and job displacement.

Humble Robotics, led by CEO Eyal Cohen, recently secured $24 million in seed funding led by Eclipse Capital and Energy Impact Partners to advance its "Humble Hauler" project. The vehicle is designed as a purpose-built autonomous platform that lacks a cab, steering wheel, and pedals, focusing entirely on electric efficiency and freight capacity. Cohen, a veteran of Uber, Apple, and Waabi, stated that the company intends to begin customer pilots within the next year, positioning the startup to compete in a market increasingly focused on automation and decarbonization.

The startup’s strategy has shifted toward California following the state Department of Motor Vehicles' April decision to revise regulations and lift a ban on autonomous trucks weighing over 10,001 pounds. Under these new rules, heavy-duty autonomous vehicles must undergo rigorous certification, including testing with a human safety driver and completing 500,000 miles of testing at each stage. While Humble Robotics originally planned to focus testing in Texas, the regulatory shift has prompted the company to prioritize its home state, despite not yet having applied for a formal DMV permit.

Despite the technological promise of lower costs and reduced emissions, the push for autonomous freight faces stiff resistance from labor organizations like the Teamsters. Critics raise alarms regarding the safety of driverless heavy-duty trucks on public roads and the potential for widespread job losses among professional drivers. As Humble Robotics moves toward its pilot phase, it must navigate these labor concerns alongside the technical challenges of meeting California’s strict mileage and safety driver requirements for autonomous vehicle certification.