Alphabet's (GOOG  ) autonomous driving technology company, Waymo, has recently announced that it would like to collaborate with global logistics provider CH Robinson (CHRW  ) on plans to test self-driving trucks throughout the state of Texas. This deal particularly emphasizes the Waymo Via, which will be its latest version of a self-driving truck.

The partnership between Waymo and CH Robinson will include a test fleet of self-driving trucks that can deliver to various locations, going along a 240-mile route between Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. UPS (UPS  ) deliveries will additionally be tested along this route.

This particular collaboration between CH Robinson and Waymo strives to integrate Waymo's AV technology with CH Robinson's logistics data on over three million trucking lanes and accessibility to a network of over 200,000 shippers and carriers.

"This partnership has the potential to influence how and where AV develops across North America and how it supports carriers," a Waymo spokesperson told TechCrunch. "Waymo Via will deliver an autonomous solution that optimizes safety and efficiency. CH Robinson brings the logistics expertise and data at scale to help evolve the technology for the logistics industry's specific needs and apply it where it has the most benefit for shippers and carriers."

According to Chief Commercial Officer of CH Robinson, Chris O' Brien, the establishment of self-driving long-haul trucks will offer alleviation to trucks that struggled with capacity limitations and driver shortages, even before the difficulties of COVID-19.

"Autonomy is coming to this industry and to carriers either way," Chris O' Brien stated regarding this matter. "So it was important for us to jump in to represent those small and medium sized carriers, especially because they represent the majority of that capacity on the road."

All in all, the collaboration between CH Robinson and Waymo will provide Waymo the opportunity to show off its Driver-as-a-Service business model. The primary objective is to convince carriers and fleets to buy the trucks, and in turn, to have Waymo Via offer continued support and services for hardware and software services.

Waymo Via's primary goal is to "provide a truck with the Waymo Driver as an option to the industry," according to Jatt. "And then it's really made available to carriers and logistics experts like CH Robinson to leverage that technology and improve their businesses and operate those assets in order to serve shipping customers."