FreightWaves Today

Innovation is taking flight—and the future of freight, logistics, aviation and space is changing faster than ever. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, we're broadcasting from the Up Summit at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, where some of the world's most innovative companies and technology leaders are exploring what's next for transportation, robotics, autonomous systems and space commercialization. We sit down with Robert Rose, founder and CEO of Reliable Robotics, to discuss the future of autonomous aviation and what pilotless cargo aircraft could mean for the freight industry. From retrofitting existing aircraft with autonomous technology to improving collision avoidance, increasing safety and expanding regional air cargo networks, Rose explains how autonomous flight is moving closer to commercial reality. We also discuss the company's demonstration flights in Albuquerque and its plans for airport-to-airport cargo operations. We also talk with a NASA safety and mission assurance leader about the next generation of nuclear-powered spacecraft, NASA's plans for space nuclear propulsion, and the extraordinary engineering and safety challenges involved in sending nuclear technology to Mars. The conversation explores how these technologies could enable future deep-space missions and potentially influence nuclear power applications here on Earth. Plus, we explore the growing role of advanced robotics and automated manufacturing, and sit down with Harrison Shih, head of DoorDash Labs, to discuss drone delivery, autonomous ground robots and how multiple delivery methods can work together to make last-mile logistics faster and more accessible. From autonomous aircraft and drone delivery to space reactors and advanced manufacturing, this episode examines the technologies that could reshape how goods, people and information move. IN THIS EPISODE: Reliable Robotics and the future of autonomous cargo aviation How pilotless aircraft could improve air cargo efficiency and safety FAA certification and the challenges of integrating autonomous aircraft NASA's nuclear-powered propulsion and the mission to Mars Space exploration, nuclear safety and next-generation technology Advanced robotics and automated manufacturing DoorDash Labs and the future of drone delivery Why multimodal delivery networks will shape the future of logistics The future of transportation isn't limited to the road. We're exploring what comes next. Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest news, analysis and conversations shaping freight, transportation and supply chain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join FreightWaves Today live from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at UP.Summit, where the innovators, founders, government leaders and defense industry executives shaping the future of aviation, aerospace and transportation are coming together.In this special episode, we explore how emerging technologies are transforming the way people and freight move — from autonomous aircraft and next-generation military aviation to electric cargo planes and the future of airfreight logistics.Our conversations include:• Merlin: Founder Matt George discusses building an autonomous pilot, how AI-powered flight systems could improve aviation safety, and the potential to bring autonomy to military and commercial cargo aircraft. We also explore Merlin’s work with the U.S. Air Force and its partnership with Textron.• Sorian Aerospace: We look at the Sandman, an autonomous supersonic training aircraft designed to help prepare military pilots for the next generation of aerial warfare, including the growing role of unmanned aircraft and collaborative combat systems.REGENT / Sea glider technology: Discover how electric, wing-in-ground-effect vehicles could create a new category of coastal transportation, connecting communities, ports and offshore operations with speed and efficiency.BETA Technologies: Head of Policy Chip Palamni explains the evolution of electric aviation, the economics of electric cargo aircraft, reduced maintenance costs and the opportunity to rethink regional airfreight networks. We also discuss BETA’s aircraft, medical cargo deliveries and potential hub-bypass routes.Defense, aviation and aerospace leadership: Conversations explore America’s defense innovation ecosystem, the importance of domestic manufacturing, emerging drone threats and the supply chains needed to maintain U.S. technological leadership.From drone delivery and autonomous flight to military readiness, domestic manufacturing and the aerospace supply chain, this episode examines the technologies and companies that could reshape aviation and freight transportation.The future of freight isn’t limited to highways, railroads and ocean shipping. A new era of aviation innovation is taking shape — and we’re on the ground at UP.Summit to explore what’s coming next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight markets remain tight as shippers navigate rising transportation costs, rail disruptions, and uncertainty heading into the holiday peak season. Meanwhile, the rapid growth of autonomous vehicles is raising an important question: how do we measure whether self-driving trucks and vehicles are truly safe to operate? On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie Van de Kamp and Zach Strickland break down the latest freight market data, examine major transportation earnings, and welcome experts to discuss autonomous vehicle safety and the latest developments across North American rail. In this episode: 🤖 The Future of Autonomous Vehicle Safety with Luc Vincent, Special Advisor at Empiric Earth: Why autonomous vehicles need more than billions of routine driving miles to prove they are safe. Vincent explains how rare real-world events—such as near misses, road debris, flooding, severe weather, and unusual driver behavior—can help train and validate autonomous systems. He also introduces APEX, Empiric Earth's developing safety-testing framework designed to measure autonomous vehicle performance across different driving scenarios and potentially provide a standardized scorecard for regulators. 📊 SONAR Market Update with Zach Strickland: A look at truckload tender rejections, spot rates, and capacity trends as the market approaches the holiday season. Zach examines why the dry van market remains tight despite some softening in rejection rates, why refrigerated capacity is especially constrained, and which markets are showing the strongest rate increases. He also highlights Los Angeles as a market to watch amid potential port disruptions and shifting intermodal volumes. 🚂 Rail Market Update with Bill Stephens, Trains Magazine Editor: The latest Association of American Railroads traffic numbers, including North American rail traffic growth, intermodal volumes, carloads, and key commodity trends. Stephens explains how severe flooding in New Mexico disrupted BNSF's Southern Transcon and how a technology outage at CSX affected train operations and interchanges. The conversation also explores the ripple effects on Los Angeles and Long Beach port operations, railcar positioning, third-quarter railroad earnings, fuel surcharge revenue, and productivity. 📈 Transportation Earnings and Freight Headlines: A closer look at Expeditors International's strong third-quarter results, growth in airfreight and ocean volumes, and the impact of AI infrastructure demand. The hosts also discuss GXO Logistics' record new business wins and sales pipeline, along with ArcBest's latest LTL and brokerage results. They examine how heavier shipments, higher fuel costs, and fuel surcharge revenue are shaping transportation company performance. ⛽ Diesel Market Volatility: The latest movement in diesel and crude oil prices, including the sharp futures selloff tied to geopolitical headlines and the rapid rebound as uncertainty surrounding negotiations continued. Plus, the latest supply chain developments: Potential labor disruption at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and what a strike could mean for peak-season freight. Flooding-related service interruptions along a major BNSF intermodal corridor. The CSX technology outage and its impact on rail network operations. Tight refrigerated capacity and changing spot market conditions across key freight markets. The transportation industry is facing a complicated mix of tight capacity, rising costs, infrastructure challenges, and rapidly evolving technology. Get the latest data, analysis, and industry perspectives on FreightWaves Today. Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest transportation news, freight market intelligence, and supply chain insights. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #FreightMarket #Trucking #AutonomousVehicles #SONAR #RailFreight #Intermodal #SupplyChain #Logistics #DieselPrices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we kick things off by examining the stellar third-quarter performance at logistics giant Expeditors International, where revenue surged 42% year-over-year to $4.1 billion, heavily boosted by hyperscaler demand from tech giants building out AI infrastructure. The asset-light customs broker and freight forwarder saw diluted earnings per share climb 61% to $2.65, crushing Wall Street consensus by 42 cents, while airfreight volume accelerated throughout the quarter—rising 8% in July, 13% in August, and 19% in September. Next, we explore the warehousing sector where contract logistics provider GXO Logistics is riding a wave of momentum with third-quarter revenue of $3.59 billion and organic revenue growing 6.4%—the fastest pace in over three years. The company secured $375 million in new business wins during the quarter, a massive 34% year-over-year increase, while its sales pipeline swelled to a record $3.1 billion, signaling robust demand for outsourced warehousing and supply chain services. Finally, we cover the dramatic volatility gripping diesel markets as geopolitical headlines whipsaw oil traders. While the DOE's benchmark retail diesel price fell six cents to $6.29 per gallon, the December ultra low sulfur diesel futures contract plunged 25.45 cents on Monday to $4.42—the lowest level since October 6th. Brent crude crashed 10.94% on hopeful news about U.S.-Israel-Iran negotiations, only to rebound Tuesday when reports emerged that Iran and the U.S. were "far from a deal." Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Freight markets are tightening, diesel prices are creating new challenges for carriers, and the latest economic indicators suggest stronger freight demand could be on the horizon for 2027. On this episode of FreightWaves Today, Julie Van de Kamp and Malcolm Harris break down the latest headlines and welcome an impressive lineup of industry experts to discuss what’s happening across transportation, trucking, and the broader supply chain. In this episode: Freight Market Outlook with Chris Pickett, Chief Commercial Officer at Flock Freight: How shippers and carriers are adapting to rising truckload rates, constrained capacity, and higher fuel costs. Pickett explains how shared truckload can help shippers reduce transportation costs, improve trailer utilization, and navigate an increasingly challenging freight market. He also shares his outlook for freight rates heading into 2027. SONAR Market Update with Julie Van de Kamp: A deep dive into the latest ISM Manufacturing PMI and Logistics Managers Index (LMI) reports. Julie examines manufacturing growth, transportation capacity, rising logistics costs, tender rejections, and freight volumes to explain why capacity constraints could persist into 2027. Trucking Insurance with Peter Niro of Progressive: What motor carriers need to understand about underwriting, managing risk, cargo coverage, refrigerated freight claims, and controlling insurance costs. Niro also discusses how safety technology and accurate operational data can help fleets protect their businesses. Diesel Market Update with John Kingston, FreightWaves Editor-at Large: An in-depth look at the latest diesel price movements, global oil market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, declining fuel inventories, and what carriers and consumers could face heading into winter. Plus, the latest freight headlines: Operation Guardian and increased federal and state scrutiny of CDL eligibility. P.A.M. Transportation's third-quarter financial results and ongoing truckload cost pressures. Manufacturing growth and what improving new orders could mean for future freight demand. The freight market is changing quickly. Stay informed with the data, analysis, and conversations that matter to trucking and supply chain professionals. Subscribe to FreightWaves for the latest transportation news, market intelligence, and industry insights. #FreightWaves #FreightWavesToday #Trucking #FreightMarket #SupplyChain #SONAR #DieselPrices #Logistics #Truckload #FreightIndustry Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices