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Jack Roberts

Executive Editor

With nearly three decades covering trucking, Jack Roberts is known for reporting on advanced technology, such as intelligent drivetrains and autonomous vehicles, in an industry being transformed by technology.

In his Truck Tech blog, he offers his insights on everything from the latest equipment, systems and components, to telematics and autonomous vehicle technologies. A commercial driver’s license holder, he also does test drives of new equipment and covers topics such as maintenance, fuel economy, vocational and medium-duty trucks and tires.

He has been covering trucking since 1995.

NACFE Messy Middle Maintenance Report
Articlesby Jack RobertsJune 26, 2026

The Diesel Engine Enters NACFE’s ‘Messy Middle’

NACFE’s new Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says keeping modern diesel engines running now depends as much on software, diagnostics and data as traditional mechanical service.

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Waabi-Volvo autonomous VNL truck.
Newsby Jack RobertsJune 26, 2026

Waabi, Volvo Claim Breakthrough in Scaling Autonomous Trucking

Waabi says its AI-powered virtual driver successfully transferred to Volvo Autonomous Solutions' Volvo VNL Autonomous platform without retraining or additional data, a milestone the companies say could dramatically accelerate commercialization of autonomous trucks.

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2026 Mack Pioneer
Articlesby Jack RobertsJune 25, 2026

Why the Mack Pioneer Signals a New Era in Class 8 Truck Design

After a public-road drive through eastern Pennsylvania, one thing became clear: Mack's new Pioneer isn't simply packed with technology -- it's been engineered around the driver in ways that could redefine long-haul trucking.

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Mack Truck Museum, Allentown, PA.
Photo Galleriesby Jack RobertsJune 23, 2026

New (Antique) Trucks Take the Spotlight at the Mack Trucks Museum

The Mack Trucks Historical Museum has a slate of new historic vehicles on display this year.

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photo of a military truck with "Great American Trucks" wording on top of red-white-and-blue background.
Articlesby Jack RobertsJune 16, 2026

Great American Trucks: The International MaxxPro MRAP

Built from an International WorkStar chassis and powered by a MaxxForce diesel, the MaxxPro MRAP became one of the most important military trucks of the Iraq War era.

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Iran War and diesel prices.
Truck Techby Jack RobertsJune 8, 2026

Trucking Should Prepare for Long Siege of High Fuel Prices

Many in trucking are treating today's fuel-price surge as a temporary disruption. History suggests they may be making a costly mistake.

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Jamie Hagen owner, Hell Bent Xpress.
Articlesby Jack RobertsMay 29, 2026

Jamie Hagen Gets Real About Running a Small Fleet in an Uncertain Economy

Small fleet owner Jamie Hagen says new legal risks, volatile fuel prices, and a changing freight market are forcing small carriers to rethink how they operate — and what they can afford.

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Jamie Hagen, Hellbent Xpress.
Videosby Jack RobertsMay 28, 2026

Jamie Hagen Gets Real About Freight, Fuel Prices, Safety, and Small-Fleet Survival

Running a small trucking fleet right now isn’t easy, especially right now. And Jamie Hagen doesn’t sugarcoat it.

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Illustration with caution graphic in background and photos of autonomous trucks
Newsby Jack RobertsMay 27, 2026

The Biggest Gap in Driverless Trucking Isn’t Tech. It’s Safety Validation

Nauto’s Stefan Heck says autonomous trucks are advancing quickly but proving they’re safe enough for large-scale deployment may be the industry’s hardest challenge.

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Sigma Powertrain BEV transmission.
Newsby Jack RobertsMay 26, 2026

Can Multi-Speed EV Transmissions Solve Heavy Trucking’s Biggest Electric-Vehicle Problems?

A startup called Sigma Powertrain believes purpose-built multi-speed gearboxes can boost efficiency, reduce battery size and improve gradeability for heavy-duty battery-electric trucks.

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