Atlas Energy Solutions is significantly expanding its fleet of Kodiak-powered driverless trucks, with plans to grow from 28 to 100 vehicles by mid-2027. The autonomous trucks, which currently haul sand to oil and gas well sites in Texas and New Mexico without drivers, are slated to begin operating on public roads in early 2027, contingent on meeting operational milestones. This expansion represents a key step in moving driverless trucking from private industrial roads to public highways.
Expanding Operations
The company has expanded its operations to run driverless trucks from two depots, located approximately 90 minutes apart in Texas and New Mexico. This wider operational footprint allows Atlas to service more well sites across the Permian Basin and respond more rapidly to customer needs. The system integrates with Atlas's Dune Express conveyor, which transports sand closer to well sites before the autonomous trucks complete the final leg of the delivery.
Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak, stated that Atlas and Kodiak have deployed the world's largest fleet of driverless big-rig trucks, demonstrating that autonomous trucking is currently delivering tangible results. He highlighted that their expanding partnership, now covering two distinct locations, is establishing a model for how autonomy can transform logistics through improved efficiency, increased productivity, and scaled commercial value for customers.
Fleet Growth and Performance
As of March 31, 2026, Atlas's driverless program utilized 28 trucks across 15 routes, having completed approximately 7,000 loads and transported over 450,000 tons of sand. During the first quarter of 2026, the fleet logged more than 23,500 driverless operating hours. A record of 176 loads was delivered by Kodiak-powered trucks in a single day on July 20. Earlier in 2026, Kodiak and Atlas introduced a driverless truck capable of pulling three connected trailers, with a combined loaded weight exceeding 135 tons.
Transition to Public Highways
Kodiak anticipates launching driverless highway operations by the end of 2026, with Atlas expecting its fleet to follow onto public highways in 2027. Burnette assured that Kodiak-powered trucks operate autonomously on highways across the southern United States with a safety driver present to monitor the system. He described the Kodiak Driver as engineered to be a safe and cautious operator adhering to normal driving etiquette, suggesting other motorists should not observe unusual behavior.
Kodiak equips its trucks with a sensor suite including cameras, radar, and lidar to provide detailed environmental awareness. However, the system is designed to stop rather than proceed under unsafe conditions. If hazardous weather, such as severe fog, or other dangerous conditions arise, the truck will safely pull over and stop. Kodiak's system also acknowledges construction zones and emergency vehicles, adjusting to changing road conditions.
Safety and Reliability
In the event of a component failure or communications issue, the Kodiak Driver continuously monitors both the truck and its autonomous system. According to Burnette, if a critical problem is detected, the system can execute a maneuver to safely pull the truck out of traffic and bring it to a stop. Human oversight is provided by Kodiak's command center, which can offer remote assistance if needed.
Kodiak also points to an independent safety evaluation by Nauto, an AI-powered fleet safety company. The Kodiak Driver achieved a VERA safety score of 98 out of 100, tying for the highest score among over 1,000 commercial fleets in Nauto's network. The system received perfect scores for inattentive driving and high-risk driving, a perfect score for traffic violations, and a 95 for aggressive driving.
Cybersecurity Measures
Kodiak addresses cybersecurity as an integral part of its safety protocols. While specific safeguards are not publicly detailed to avoid aiding potential attackers, Burnette stated that the company employs multiple layers of security and continuously monitors for suspicious activity. Access to its systems is tightly controlled, and any detected anomalies trigger a safe stop. Publicly available information from Kodiak indicates that safety-critical functions are isolated from external communication ports, and vehicle infrastructure is protected with end-to-end encryption.
Future Implications
The expansion by Atlas signifies the commercial integration of fully driverless trucking. As these vehicles prepare for public highway deployment, transparency regarding crash reporting, emergency response, and the limitations of remote assistance will be crucial. Regulators will be tasked with verifying safety claims through real-world performance. Public trust is expected to develop through consistent operation over time, complementing strong initial safety scores.