Humble raises $24 million in seed funding to develop an autonomous Class 8 electric truck
By Eve
Autonomous truck startup Humble has emerged from stealth with a $24 million seed round led by Eclipse, unveiling a prototype cabless electric hauler designed for freight transportation. The Humble Hauler is built on a universal platform supporting multiple configurations, with the first vehicle designed to move shipping containers and featuring 360 degree sensor coverage using camera, LiDAR and radar for dock to dock operation. The company claims removing the cab makes the hauler significantly lighter than traditional Class 8 tractors, and it uses vision language action models to navigate unfamiliar scenarios.
Why it matters: The development signals a new category of heavy duty electric vehicle that could reshape depot and port charging infrastructure requirements, as cabless autonomous haulers will need different charging protocols and depot layouts than conventional Class 8 trucks. Charging providers and site planners will need to prepare for vehicles operating continuously without driver rest periods, potentially requiring higher power throughput and different queuing systems at freight facilities.