A new report from Business Insider claims that Amazon is secretly at work on an app to eliminate the need for third party brokers by connecting truck drivers directly with shippers.
The Business Insider report cited an anonymous source, who claims that the app will launch in the summer of 2017.
Amazon has so far declined to comment on the app.
The Amazon app will reportedly have a variety of trucker-friendly features, including driving directions, real-time pricing information, and information on truck stops.
Amazon has already devoted a significant portion of its resources to developing “last mile” transportation solutions. The rumored app would help Amazon establish itself more firmly in the “middle mile” field.
Convoy and Trucker Path have already created a similar “Uber for Trucking” apps. These companies have struggled somewhat with the trucking industry’s skepticism about new technology. The advantage that Amazon may have over these startups is that they already have an established shipping network and a high and growing volume of packages on hand.
.@Amazon is building an ‘#Uber for #trucking‘ app, setting sights on $800B market #bigdata #supplychain #logistics https://t.co/kRZYxff9QX
— Robby Moss (@robbymoss) December 15, 2016