Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New Autonomous Startups Have Different Takes on Self-Driving Tech

Startup companies Starsky Robotics and Drive.ai are the two latest additions to the burgeoning autonomous vehicle market, each offers a unique take on self-driving technology.

by Staff
March 3, 2017
New Autonomous Startups Have Different Takes on Self-Driving Tech

Screenshot via Starksy Robotics YouTube Video

2 min to read


Screenshot via Starksy Robotics YouTube Video

Startup companies Starsky Robotics and Drive.ai are the two latest additions to the burgeoning autonomous vehicle market.

Hot on the heels of last week’s introduction of the autonomous vehicle startup Embark, Starsky and Drive.ai each offer a slightly different take on self-driving technology.

Ad Loading...

Starsky is aiming to bring an autonomous truck to market as soon as possible, but it is also testing a method in which a driver would remotely control a vehicle once it is done driving on the highway. That would tie a single driver to several trucks, when needed. The company said that it has already used a truck with its autonomous technology to make a 140-mile delivery in the real world, according to a TechCrunch report.

Drive.ai is trying to reimagine autonomous technology by creating a system that is able to learn from its surroundings and adapt to different situations, the company detailed in a blog post. While its technology makes use of cameras and sensors, Drive.ai said that the best way to create a safe self-driving vehicle is to use software that can learn experience in the same way that voice assistants from Google and Apple learn from listening to humans.

Refelcting how the field of players in autonomous vehicles technology is growing, these two companies have received millions of dollars in investments so far.

Ad Loading...

Starsky received $3.75 million in funding and Drive.ai received $12 million in a round of funding last year.

More Equipment

Closeup of engine in Mack truck
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeMay 13, 2026

Mack Unveils EPA 2027-Compliant MP13 Engine With More Power, Better Fuel Economy

Along with unveiling its EPA 2027-compliant MP13 engine, Mack outlined powertrain changes across its Class 6-8 lineup, including new Cummins-based X10 engines.

Read More →
Kodiak Driver-equipped Roehl Transport tractor-trailer.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 11, 2026

Kodiak and Roehl Transport Launch Autonomous Route Between Dallas and Houston

Kodiak AI and Roehl Transport have begun autonomous freight operations on a regular Dallas-Houston route, marking another step toward Kodiak’s planned driverless launch by the end of 2026.

Read More →
Peterbilt-Kodiak autonomous truck.
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeMay 8, 2026

Autonomous Trucks at ACT Expo 2026

Autonomous trucks commanded a lot of attention from attendees at ACT Expo this year. Check out this photo gallery.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Crowd at Volvo booth at ACT Expo
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeMay 8, 2026

How Volvo’s New D13 Engine Meets EPA 2027 Emissions Without Sacrificing Power or Fuel Efficiency

Volvo says advances in combustion and aftertreatment helped its new EPA 2027 D13 engine avoid the fuel-economy penalties many once expected from tighter NOx emissions limits.

Read More →
Fleet Advantage Truck Life Cycle Data Index chart comparing operating costs, fuel savings and total cost of ownership for Class 8 truck model years 2022 through 2028.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 7, 2026

Fleet Advantage TLDI Highlights Rising Costs of Aging Fleet Equipment Amid Higher Diesel Prices

Fleet Advantage’s latest Truck Life Cycle Data Index shows fleets operating older Class 8 trucks could face significantly higher costs as diesel prices rise, while newer 2028 equipment may deliver savings of more than $12,000 per truck annually.

Read More →
Two men in chairs on stage with big video screen behind them showing Tesla Semi
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeMay 7, 2026

'TCO’s Here.' Tesla Says Electric Semi Economics Are Ready for the Mainstream

Tesla’s Semi chief at ACT Expo outlined production growth, lower-cost models, charging expansion, and why the company believes fleets are leaving money on the table by waiting on electric trucks.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Front view of a Mack Granite heavy-duty truck featuring the new ImpactShield windshield with Corning Fusion5 Glass technology.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 6, 2026

Mack Trucks Debuts Mack ImpactShield Windshield Technology on All-new Mack Granite and Expanded New Truck Lineup

Mack Trucks is introducing ImpactShield, the first Class 8 truck windshield to use Corning Fusion5 Glass, designed to improve durability, reduce damage and help fleets minimize downtime.

Read More →
Aurora and Volvo Dallas-Oklahoma City autonomous truck route.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 5, 2026

Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Aurora Begin Dallas - Oklahoma City Route

Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Aurora expand their freight network with a new Dallas–Oklahoma City route, moving closer to scaled driverless operations.

Read More →
Gray Volvo tractor pulling trailer on open highway
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeMay 1, 2026

New High-Horsepower Natural Gas Engine Could Expand Fleet Options

Westport and Volvo are demonstrating a 500-hp truck with diesel-like efficiency — one that also offers what Westport says is a better pathway to using hydrogen fuel in trucks.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Aurora Innovation self-driving truck.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseApril 30, 2026

Hirschbach Announces Plan to Deploy 500 Aurora Autonomous Trucks

Hirschbach and Aurora Innovation have inked a non-binding deal outlining a path to deploy 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks into fleet operations.

Read More →