TuSimple, a self-driving truck company, is expanding its operations in Tucson, Arizona. The expansion will create 500 new jobs, bringing the total number of its employees in the area to 600.
According to the company, the new jobs range from autonomous truck driving and engineering to office management.
In addition, TuSimple will increase its autonomous fleet to 200 trucks in the United States by 2019. It will become the largest self-driving solutions company worldwide.
Furthermore, the company plans to enlarge its footprint from 6,800 square feet to 50,000 square feet in Tucson.
TuSimple estimated that its expansion’s total economic impact will be $1.1 billion over the next five years. Last year, the company raised $23 million in Series B funding and additional $55 million in Series C funding.
In a statement on Wednesday, TuSimple CTO and co-founder Xiaodi Hou said, “Arizona has actively supported the research and development of autonomous vehicles, and we are pleased to be expanding our footprint in the state.”
Arizona is “Business-friendly” and “Focused on Disruptive Technology Trends”
Meanwhile, Gov. Doug Ducey stated, “In Arizona, we’re committed to encouraging new technologies.”
