World's First Self-Driving Truck Delivery Ships 50,000 Cans of Beer Across Colorado

Uber has completed what is believed to be the world's first commercial delivery made by a self-driving truck, and it did so with some precious cargo on board: more than 50,000 cans of beer.

A truck made by Otto, a self-driving truck startup that was recently bought by Uber, delivered 51,744 cans of Budweiser beer along a 120-mile stretch of interstate from Fort Collins, Colorado, through downtown Denver and finally to Colorado Springs.

The truck used cameras, radar and lidar (think radar, but with lasers) to "see" the road, while the car's internal computer system controlled the steering, acceleration and breaking.

A driver was on board but never touched the driver's seat. Instead, the driver stayed in the truck's "sleeper berth" and monitored the self-driving system. The driver had the power to intervene, if needed, but never did.

The truck made the entire trip from interstate exit to exit completely on its own.

“The incredible success of this pilot shipment is an example of what is possible when you deploy self-driving technology," Otto Co-Founder Lior Ron said in a press release.

The truck was emblazoned with the logos of Otto and Budweiser on the side, along with a message that read, "Proudly Brewed. Self-Driven."

"As we continue to partner with long-haul carriers to ship our beers, we hope to see this technology widely deployed across our highways to improve safety for all road users and work towards a low-emissions future," James Sembrot Sr. director of logistics strategy at Anheuser-Busch, said in the press release.

In a post on the company's website, Otto said the technology could allow truck drivers to one day rest while on long trips across the country.

"Our self-driving trucks will allow drivers to rest while their truck is moving, and our platform will ensure drivers can easily find loads and are paid fairly," the post said.

Image via Anheuser-Busch