Ikea tests driverless trucks to deliver furniture in Texas, USA.

CTOnews.com IKEA has announced a partnership with self-driving company Kodiak Robotics to test driverless deliveries in its warehouses.

Kodiak Robotics, which develops self-driving technology for long-haul trucks, has been delivering furniture daily from an IKEA distribution center near Houston to a retail store near Dallas since August.

Although the truck will have a backup driver on board to oversee delivery, the truck will automatically drive on the highway for about 480 kilometers without the driver taking over.

IKEA said it hopes the partnership will lead to a better understanding of how automated delivery can make long-distance travel safer and potentially lead to better working conditions for truck drivers. Forbes reports that the two companies agreed to a three-month pilot program and, if all goes well, they will sign a multi-year agreement.

CTOnews.com understands that IKEA has also experimented with a variety of technologies over the past few months. In June, IKEA launched a new AI app that uses lidar to scan rooms and place virtual IKEA furniture in 3D. IKEA has also installed Electrify America's Fast Charger in more than 25 stores across the United States, making it easy for electric car owners to get to.