# Autonomous Retail Networks Walmart Will Use Autonomous Box Trucks That are Completely Driverless By Daniel Johnson | Published 2020-12-29 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-box-trucks References: [retaildive](https://www.retaildive.com/news/walmart-to-take-middle-mile-trucks-driverless-in-arkansas/592298/) & [corporate.walmart](https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2020/12/15/walmart-and-gatik-go-driverless-in-arkansas-and-expand-self-driving-car-pilot-to-a-second-location) On December 15, [Walmart](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-2) announced that in early 2021 its [Autonomous Box Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-heavyduty-truck) will transition to be fully autonomous on a two-mile-long test road in Bentonville, Arkansas. The fully autonomous test will be completely driverless and is an extension of the retailer's autonomous pilot testing with [Gatik](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gatik-self). Walmart also indicated that its second pilot program will also be expanded, where autonomous testing will take place on a 20-mile section of road between a Walmart pickup point and a supercenter in Metairie, Louisiana. The tests with Gatik serve two purposes, the first test will evaluate Walmart’s middle-mile autonomous capabilities and the other test will evaluate autonomous capabilities over longer distances. Walmart has made significant investments in autonomous technology, and it has other partnerships with autonomous technology companies other than Gatik. Image Credit: Walmart ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Autonomous Retail Networks:** The development of fully autonomous box trucks for retail delivery presents an opportunity for the creation of autonomous retail networks, transforming the way goods are transported and distributed. - **Middle-mile Autonomous Capabilities:** Testing Walmart's middle-mile autonomous capabilities allows for the exploration of more efficient and cost-effective ways to transport goods between distribution centers and retail stores. - **Expansion of Autonomous Testing:** The expansion of autonomous testing to longer distances opens up possibilities for more extensive use of autonomous vehicles in various industries beyond retail. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Retail:** The retail industry can benefit from incorporating autonomous retail networks to streamline delivery processes and enhance customer experience. - **Logistics:** The development of middle-mile autonomous capabilities can revolutionize logistics operations by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing human error during transportation. - **Transportation:** The expansion of autonomous testing to longer distances signifies potential disruption in the transportation industry, paving the way for autonomous vehicles to become a mainstream mode of transport. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Retail Delivery Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-delivery-vans.md) - [Autonomous Trucking Operations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-trucking-operation.md) - [Self-Driving Delivery Truck Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waabi.md) - [Autonomous Furniture Deliveries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waymo-and-wayfair.md) - [Shipping Technology Upgrades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-and-platform-science.md) - [Autonomous Delivery Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uber-eats-3.md) - [Retailer Drone Delivery Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wing.md) - [Autonomous Cabin-Free Shipping Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-electric-truck.md) - [Autonomous Robot Taxis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uber-1.md)