How free-wheeling Texas became the self-driving trucking industry's promised land

For companies working to make self-driving trucks a near-term reality, all roads lead to Texas.

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Vast highways, a booming freight market and, crucially, the least restrictive laws governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the United States have turned Texas into the industry's most desired location.

Several companies, including Aurora Innovation and TuSimple, plan to deploy fully driverless trucks on Texas' interstates next year, moving away from current testing that includes back-up safety drivers behind the wheel.

While some limited driverless tests with 18-wheelers have taken place in Arizona, a launch in Texas would mark the first commercial use. Alphabet's Waymo Via and box truck startup Gatik which counts Wal-Mart as a customer, are setting up hubs there in preparation.

Companies have poured billions of dollars into developing the technology they say will increase road safety and alleviate truck driver shortages. The self-driving truck industry in the U.S. is expected to rapidly grow over the next decade, with analysts estimating its size at between $250 billion and $400 billion by 2030.

Darran Anderson, director of innovation at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), said the state has decided to pursue a collaborative approach with the industry.