Detmar Selects Aurora to Deploy Expanded Fleet of Autonomous Trucks for Major Energy Producer

Key Terms

autonomous trucks technical

Autonomous trucks are large commercial vehicles equipped with sensors, cameras and software that allow them to steer, brake and navigate without a human driver on board. For investors they matter because the technology can reshape freight costs, safety records, and delivery speeds—potentially lowering labor and operating expenses while creating new regulatory, capital and liability risks that can affect profitability across transportation, logistics and equipment suppliers.

frac sand technical

Frac sand is a specially rounded, high-purity silica sand used in hydraulic fracturing to prop open tiny cracks in underground rock so oil or gas can flow to a well; think of it as tiny ballast or supports that keep newly created channels open. It matters to investors because demand for frac sand tracks drilling activity, affects the profits of sand miners and logistics companies, and can signal changes in energy production, costs and regional supply chains.

proppants technical

Proppants are small solid particles—usually sand, ceramic, or resin-coated grains—pumped into underground rock fractures during hydraulic fracturing to hold those cracks open so oil or gas can flow to a well. Investors watch proppant type, availability and cost because they directly affect how much fuel a well can produce, how long it stays productive, and the expense and supply risks of drilling operations—similar to how the quality and price of road ballast affect a railway’s performance and upkeep.

24/7 highway operations transporting frac sand between customer facilities will double customer asset utilization and improve safety in the Permian Basin

MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUR), the leader in self-driving freight, today announced a commercial agreement with Detmar Logistics, a leading provider in dry bulk and frac sand logistics solutions, to autonomously transport proppants around the clock for one of the world’s largest multinational oil and gas companies.

The deployment marks the first time frac sand will be hauled autonomously on public roads and highways in the Permian Basin (source: Aurora)

The deployment marks the first time frac sand will be hauled autonomously on public roads and highways in the Permian Basin. It also establishes one of Aurora’s initial routes between customer sites – a key milestone as the company expands its network beyond terminal-to-terminal operations next year.

“Launching autonomous highway operations for Detmar is a great example of how we’re delivering immediate customer value,” said Chris Urmson, co-founder and CEO at Aurora. “With the Aurora Driver, Detmar can achieve nearly 24/7 asset utilization and effectively double its capacity to move sand for a leading energy producer.”

Expanding Endpoint Routes in 2026

Supervised autonomous operations between Detmar’s facility in Midland, Texas and Capital Sand’s mining site in Monahans will begin early next year. Once Aurora deploys its second fleet of driverless trucks, expected in Q2 2026, trips for Detmar will transition to driverless operations without anyone onboard.

The route combines high-speed driving on Interstate 20 with local and private roads surrounding Detmar’s facility and the mining site. Notably, Aurora is delivering advanced capabilities at the mining site, including autonomously navigating overhead filling silos for proppant loading.

Bringing Safety and Efficiency to the Permian Basin

The Aurora Driver is built with superhuman capabilities – it can operate longer than human drivers, never gets drowsy, and vigilantly monitors 360 degrees around the truck. Enhancing road safety is particularly critical in the Permian Basin, which experiences a higher rate of severe and fatal crashes than the rest of Texas.

Under the initial contract, Detmar commits to using 30 Aurora Driver-powered trucks in 2026, with each unit hauling sand for over 20 hours a day. This will unlock a level of asset utilization that enables Detmar to significantly grow its business with key customers. Alongside their human operated fleet and network of valued independent contractors, Detmar also plans to own and operate an expanded fleet of Aurora Driver-powered trucks in the future as the technology is adopted and broadly deployed.

“As simul-fracs demand higher sand volumes and operators move to 24/7 schedules, maintaining a safe, reliable flow of proppant is critical,” said Matt Detmar, CEO of Detmar Logistics. “Aurora's autonomous technology is a game changer for our industry. It will enable us to safely improve efficiency and support our customers’ continuous operations. We expect autonomous trucks to become a competitive advantage to strengthen and grow our business in the years to come.”

About Aurora

Aurora (Nasdaq: AUR) is delivering the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly to make transportation safer, increasingly accessible, and more reliable and efficient than ever before. The Aurora Driver is a self-driving system designed to operate multiple vehicle types, from freight-hauling trucks to ride-hailing passenger vehicles, and underpins Aurora’s driver as a service products for trucking and ride-hailing. Aurora is working with industry leaders across the transportation ecosystem, including AUMOVIO, FedEx, Hirschbach, NVIDIA, PACCAR, Ryder, Schneider, Toyota, Uber, Uber Freight, Volvo Trucks, Volvo Autonomous Solutions, and Werner. To learn more, visit aurora.tech.

About Detmar

Detmar Logistics is a transportation company that specializes in frac sand last mile logistics. Detmar Logistics’ mission is to be a leader in the utilization of sustainable fuel and electrification technology in the trucking and logistics industry. Headquartered in San Antonio, TX, Detmar Logistics operates cutting edge technology and equipment to provide their customers with an efficient, environmental approach to transportation and logistics.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States federal securities laws. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the prospects of the development, manufacturing, scaling (including, but not limited to, the endpoint expansion strategy, fleet size and our product’s availability and capabilities) and commercialization, and realization of the potential benefits, of the Aurora Driver and related services and technology and on the timeframe we expect or at all; the safety benefits of our self-driving technology and products; the anticipated impact of our product on the freight and oil and gas industries and economy; and our relationships with customers, including, but not limited to, the anticipated benefits they may derive from our product and the anticipated demand they may have for Aurora Driver-powered trucks. These statements are based on management’s current assumptions and are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from any future performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, please see the risks and uncertainties identified under the heading “Risk Factors” section of Aurora Innovation, Inc.’s (“Aurora”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 14, 2025, and other documents filed by Aurora from time to time with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements reflect our beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Aurora undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

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Rachel Chibidakis

Head of Partner and Product Comms at Aurora

Mobile: 415-314-9392

Email: rchibidakis@aurora.tech

Source: Aurora Innovation, Inc.